Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 69

Chapter 69 Victor Henkel stood at the doorway, a smile playing on his face. “Ms. Jenkins, fancy seeing you here.”

Natalia didn’t expect to run into Victor here. But right now, she had no interest in speaking with his man. “Actually, | was just leaving. Got things to do.”

Victor stepped directly in her path. He’d been up to his neck in legal tangles lately and had come here to discuss case details, never anticipating a run-in with Natalia.

But now that she was here, he wasn’t about to let her just walk away. “Ms. Jenkins, what's this? Playing hide and seek with me?”

Awave of annoyance washed over Natalia. Just the sight of Victor made her skin crawl. She couldn’t fathom what she’d done to earn this man’s ire.

Was it simply because she'd refused his advances, and now he was making her pay, time and again?

Or was it because she’d inadvertently stepped into the shoes of the so-called Eveleen, and he was here to champion Eveleen’s cause?

Anyway, Natalia had no intention of wasting words on him. “Mr. Henkel, perhaps you should come to terms with reality.” With that, she tried to move past him, but her mood was far from pleasant.

Victor, however, seemed unfazed and blocked her way again. “Have you given any thought to my offer from the other day? Don't worry, we can negotiate the price.”

Natalia’s face turned a shade of ashen, her lips trembling slightly with suppressed rage. “Mr. Henkel, what do you take me for?” Asmirk spread across Victor’s face. “Come off it, Ms. Jenkins. Aren’t you the one who keeps men company for money?” Natalia clenched her teeth, “At least they have to be human!”

For the first time, Victor's composure seemed to crack. He stepped forward, gripping Natalia’s neck. “Natalia, don’t push your luck!”

Her face flushed with the pressure, “Victor, I’ve never wronged you. What do you want from me?” Victor's smile returned as he finally let her go.

“Do you really not understand what | want, Ms. Jenkins? Or am | not being clear enough?” he paused, “Or perhaps you're still clinging to some fairy tale dreams? Hoping to rise above your station? Natalia, don’t you see how unfeasible your ambitions are? What makes you think you

4/4 14:31

Chapter 69

can steal Eveleen’s man?*

Natalia coughed violently. Once she caught her breath, she glared at Victor fiercely. “What's it to you? Are you in love with Eveleen and taking up her battles?*

Victor's eyes narrowed slightly. He had indeed been smitten with Eveleen back in school when she was pure as an angel. But after she became Hamilton’s girl, he backed off. Who would want to compete with Hamilton?

Now, he saw Eveleen more like a sister. Natalia, on the other hand, was a different story. “Frankly, I’d rather sleep with you, Ms. Jenkins. Give it a shot. | promise you'll be in seventh heaven. Still not satisfied? | can always get a few buddies to take care of you!”

Natalia’s eyes brimmed with tears of fury, and she slapped Victor across the face.

The sound echoed in the lounge loud.

“Victor, get lost now!”

The slap seemed to snap something in Victor, and his demeanor chilled.

Touching his stinging cheek, he sneered. “Natalia, you are the first woman to ever hit me! | must take something back in return!” With that, he lunged at her, his hands aiming for her neck.

Just then, the door burst open.

Lionel came in with a smile, not expecting to witness such a scene. His face darkened instantly.

He pulled Victor aside immediately, “Mr. Henkel, what do you think you’re doing?”

Victor, moments away from a kiss, was infuriated by Lionel’s interruption. “It's none of your business, Lionel. Look away.” He shrugged Lionel off and moved again towards Natalia.

Lionel quickly signaled to the onlookers. “Call the police.”

Victor scoffed, “Think you can stay in Silkwood City after this, Lionel?”

Lionel chuckled, “Of course, but | can’t stand by and watch this happen under my roof, can |?”

Victor snorted, having never been one to take a loss, especially after Natalia had dared to strike him. He grabbed Lionel by the collar, “I told you to turn a blind eye. Are you deaf?”

Lionel remained calm, his gaze steady on Victor. “Mr. Henkel, you do realize there are security cameras here.”

But Victor jeered and punched Lionel in the face. “What of it? I'll still hit you!”

Victor was already on edge from business troubles, and now this rejection from Natalia was more than he could stomach. 2/4

14:31

The parlor erupted with shouts. Natalia hurried to Lionel’s side. “Lionel are you alright?”

He nodded, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Natalia looked around at the gathering crowd, “Did anyone call the police?”

“They did.”

But Victor remained indifferent.

In Silkwood City, the Henkel clan might not have the clout that the Fowlers did, but Victor certainly wasn’t about to show any weakness in front of this crowd.

He leered at Natalia, “Ms. Jenkins, what do you reckon Hamilton would do if | texted him right now saying | bedded you?” “Victor, you’re despicable!” Natalia’s eyes reddened, her hands shaking slightly.

Out of nowhere, Lionel stood up, his fist connecting with Victor’s face in a swift punch.

Victor hadn’t expected Lionel to fight back.

By the time he gathered his senses, he had thrown a punch in return.

Suddenly, the parlor was in complete disarray.

When the police showed up, both Lionel and Victor were sporting injuries.

The officers couldn’t help but marvel at the scene, “All these years on the job and this is the

first time I’ve seen a brawl in a law office. Come on, you're all coming with me.”

He glanced at Natalia. “You're the witness, right? You’d better come along too.”

Natalia nodded and followed. She shot Lionel an apologetic look, but he just gave her a reassuring glance back. After finding out it was a lovers‘ quarrel, the officers gave them a stern talking-to.

“Call your family to come get you,” one of them said.

Victor scoffed and walked away to make his call

Lionel made his call too.

But Natalia hesitated, unsure who to reach out to.

Hamilton had made it clear not to bother him with troubles stemming from her part-time gigs.

After a moment, she decided to call Scarlett, but got no answer — likely tied up in surgery.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

As Victor and the office staff came back from their calls, Natalia, still holding her phone, finally decided to dial Alden. Upon hearing her situation, Alden quickly agreed to come.

“Ms. Jenkins, don’t tell me you’ve actually got something going on with this Lionel? A lawyer, no

3/4

14:31

Chapter 69

less, throwing punches for you!” Victor continued to mock from the sidelines before leaving.

Natalia’s face turned steel. But before she could retort, Lionel cut in. “Mr. Henkel, my reasons for stepping in are solely because your behavior was beastly. And as for Natalia and me, if | do have feelings for her, what business is it of yours?”

Natalia frowned deeply, when suddenly they heard footsteps drawing near. She turned and there was Hamilton, standing a few meters away.