Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 197

No sooner had they stepped out of the diner than Debby's call came through, her voice laced with panic, "Ms. Jenkins, you better come quick. It's absolute mayhem here."

Natalia hung up, and Hamilton took her wrist, guiding her to the car with urgency.

"I've got the local police on their way, and Elliott's got the security team deployed. It'll be under control, don't worry."

Yet Natalia's face remained ashen, her mind racing with a singular, torturous thought.

She had dragged Tatiana into this mess.

Eyes shut tight, her heart was a storm of sorrow and rage.

Maybe she should never have tried to compete with Eveleen.

But she refused to be cowed. Why should she, Natalia, be bullied by Eveleen?

Why should it matter that she was the cherished first love?

Eveleen and Hamilton, perched upon their high pedestals, their relationship ambiguously competitive.

Was Natalia destined to be their collateral?

Hamilton, seeing her distress, chose silence over words.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened, tendons standing out. He knew that if anything happened to Natalia's mother this time, whatever chance he had with Natalia would likely vanish.

Upon arriving, Natalia dashed to Tatiana's floor. The elevator doors slid open to a scene of chaos.

Her photographs were strewn across the floor, turned into slanderous flyers by frenzied fans. The words "homewrecker" and "mistress" seared into her eyes.

The fans had been cleared, but onlookers still crowded the hallway, whispering and pointing as she passed.

Ignoring them, Natalia made her way to Tatiana's room, Hamilton trailing with a darkening expression.

Elliott approached them, and Natalia immediately asked, "How's my mom?"

"Thankfully, the police arrived in time. We definitely need to beef up hospital security from now on."

Natalia nearly collapsed with relief, managing to muster a "Thank you."

Elliott glanced at Hamilton, "Those cops aren't under my command. Without them, this would've been out of my hands."

Natalia turned to Hamilton, her voice soft, "Thank you," before heading straight to Tatiana's room.

Hamilton's frown deepened at her gratitude but held his tongue.

Elliott eyed Hamilton, "What on earth happened? These 'mistress' and 'homewrecker' labels are way out of line. And to bring this to someone's mother's hospital? I bet Natalia will face whispers and stares for a long time. And I hear it's not just here; fans are spreading these flyers all over town."

Hamilton's face darkened. Before he could respond, Scarlett rushed from the elevator, clutching a pile of the same vile flyers.

Upon seeing Hamilton, she marched over, fury in her eyes, "Hamilton, do you see this? Your precious first love's handiwork! Do you understand how devastating this is for a woman?"

Hamilton's expression was grim, "I'll handle it."

Scarlett scoffed, "Handle it? How? This isn't the first time, is it? What's your plan? Keep indulging her, or is your so-called detachment already your benevolence to Natalia? Or perhaps, a stern warning to Eveleen will suffice?"

Hamilton's face was a mask of stormy skies, "Scarlett, aren't you overstepping?"

Scarlett glared back, her eyes ablaze, "Am I overstepping, or did I hit a nerve?"

Hamilton was at a loss for words.

He would protect Natalia.

He would deal with those who insulted her, and erase those despicable words.

But Eveleen?