Hamilton watched her, a rueful smile spreading across his face after a long silence.


    "Are you doing this on purpose?"


    Natalia met his gaze.


    "Hamilton, since we''ve already established that we''re nothing to each other, aren''t you being a bit too nosy now?"


    Hamilton''s brow twitched in irritation.


    "Is there no one else you could coborate with? Why does it have to be Lionel?"


    Natalia chuckled, "Well, yes, but Lionel is an old acquaintance. Naturally, I''d prioritize him. Plus, you know he''s been eager to work with me."


    Hamilton massaged his temples.


    Natalia''s expression remained indifferent.


    "Hamilton, if you''re here for a business proposal, let''s discuss that. If not, my other affairs are none of your business. I won''t just coborate with Lionel; I might work with other men in the future, and you can''t possibly want to meddle in all of that."


    Hamilton felt a vein throb in frustration.


    But at this moment, he could only me himself for not being able to control his emotions.


    He knew she was doing it on purpose, setting up a meeting with Lionel, and even choosing the cafe right beneath Ben''s office.


    Yet he couldn''t help himself.


    Three years of yearning.


    Seeing her yet not being able to get close was torturous.


    He had checked on Bertramst night; the guy had a girlfriend.


    But Lionel was different.


    Lio Law Firm was thriving more than ever.


    Lionel was considered one of the city''s most eligible bachelors.


    Hamilton still remembered how she used to obsess over tranting documents for Lionel.


    So, he couldn''t resisting over.


    But clearly, she was waiting for him to make the move.


    "You like working with Lionel that much?"


    Natalia nced at him, then suddenly grabbed his wrist.


    Her cool fingers wrapped around his wrist, making Hamilton''s body stiffen momentarily.


    Hamilton chuckled, "Ms. Jenkins, what''s this? Trying to seduce me?"


    Natalia looked at him, and the next second, she rolled up his sleeve.


    A string of prayer beads awkwardly adorned his wrist.


    Natalia looked up to meet his gaze.


    "If you meant what you said back then, why keep wearing these prayer beads?"


    Hamilton adjusted his sleeve.


    "Just for peace of mind, nothing special."


    Nataliaughed softly.


    "Was everything you said back then on purpose?"


    At her words, Hamilton choked up.


    Seeing his expression, Natalia felt an indescribable mix of emotions.


    Hamilton''s decisive words back then had indeed embarrassed her deeply. But she knew Hamilton well enough.


    Which words were heartfelt and which were out of desperation, she could tell.


    Still, she admitted that his words were the hard truth. Shecked the skills and connections; staying would only be a burden.


    Knowing he did it on purpose, she still chose to leave.


    But returning to seek justice for her child and her mother became the sole support for her over these three years.


    "Hamilton, I''m not afraid. If I were, I wouldn''t havee back. So, please


    consider my proposal seriously. I just want to contribute."


    After speaking, Natalia just looked at Hamilton.


    Hamilton watched her, a bittersweet smile on his face.


    "Natalia, what am I going to do with you?"


    Natalia''s eyes reddened, but her gaze was filled with confidence.


    "I''ve established apany in the Nordics, which, with President Landeia''s support, has been doing quite well. This time, it could serve as a basis for negotiations with Spencer. You dig into his resources here, and I''ll set a trap abroad. Hamilton, let''s coborate, shall we?"


    Hamilton looked at Natalia, hesitated, but eventually, his handnded gently on her face.


    "Fine. But no risks for you."


    Natalia nodded vigorously.


    "Deal."


    She said, "Hamilton, here''s to a sessful partnership."


    Hamilton''s throat worked.


    He wanted to ask.


    After this coboration, could their rtionship progress?


    But the words died on his lips.


    Nothing was settled yet; how could he discuss feelings?


    After Natalia left, Hamilton''s phone rang.


    He nced at it, answered, and then opened his car door.


    The passenger seat was filled with little girl''s clothes and a stuffed animal.


    "Wait for me at the apartment. I''ve bought some clothes and a toy for Amora. You can help me take themter."


    Before Hamilton could finish, Natalia, who had unexpectedly returned, caught his eye.


    Natalia frowned, her gazending on the clothes on the passenger seat.


    The car interior light was on, so it wasn''t too dark for her to notice they were for a little girl.


    A ludicrous thought crossed her mind.


    "Why did youe back?" Hamilton asked softly.


    Natalia diverted her gaze, somewhat restrained.


    "I left a document in the car."


    Hamilton quickly shut the car door and hung up the phone.


    Natalia retrieved the document from her car and then left.


    But after a few steps, she turned around and asked.


    "Who''s Amora? And who are those clothes for?"


    Hamilton looked at her, taking a moment before responding.


    "Killian''s daughter. After that explosion, I had to let Killian go, but he''s been with me for years. He recently got back from abroad and reached out, wanting toe back to work. Hearing he had a daughter, I thought to buy a few things."


    The light in Natalia''s eyes seemed to extinguish in an instant.


    She looked at him, nodded after a long pause, and then turned to leave without another word.


    Hamilton''s heart ached with each step she took away from him.


    But in the end, he didn''t call her back.


    Returning home, Natalia found Scarlett engrossed in a video game.


    "Elliott, you absolute noob, can you even y? Go mid, go mid! Why are you always tailing me like a lost puppy?"


    Scarlett''s voice echoed through the room as Natalia took a deep breath in and then slowly exhaled.


    Maybe she was just overthinking things.


    She got up and headed towards the bathroom.


    But after a few steps, she suddenly called out.


    "Scarlett."


    Scarlett looked up, slightly confused. "What''s up, Natalia?"<fnb75f> Fresh chapters posted on fin?novel</fnb75f>


    Natalia just looked at her.


    "Did you ever see my baby?"


    Scarlett paused for a moment before nodding.


    She had seen the baby before it was taken away.


    "Why bring this up now?"


    Natalia''s voice was tinged with sadness. "You actually saw the baby pass away,


    right?"


    Scarlett opened her mouth, suddenly unsure of what to say.


    But she finally bit the bullet and replied, "The baby''s passing was officially


    dered by the doctor. Why are you asking about this now?"


    Natalia forced a smile. "No reason, just suddenly wanted to ask. I never got to see


    what the baby looked like."


    Scarlett tossed her phone aside and came over to give her a hug.


    "Natalia, stop torturing yourself. Look at how good your life is now. Career,


    freedom, you''ve got it all. You should be enjoying your life, not dwelling on the past."


    Natalia nodded, pushing down the turmoil inside her.


    "I just saw some baby clothes on Hamilton''s passenger seat, and I thought..."


    Scarlett frowned slightly, mentally cursing Hamilton, then hugged Natalia tighter.


    "Don''t overthink it. Maybe they''re for a friend''s baby?"


    Natalia tried to adjust her mindset.


    She really shouldn''t be jumping to conclusions.


    If the baby was really gone, Hamilton wouldn''t lie to her, right?


    Natalia, clutching her documents, entered her room.


    Seeing her go, Scarlett let out a sigh of relief.


    This was getting too much for her.


    Messages from Elliott kept flooding in.


    Did Natalia get suspicious?


    What did you tell her?


    Why would she suddenly get suspicious?


    Scarlett took a deep breath and texted Elliott back.


    Call that jerk and remind him. If we agreed the baby is gone, he better act like it.


    Otherwise, if Natalia finds any clue, no one will cover for him!


    Elliott replied with a few clicks of disapproval.


    "I can''t say that to him. He might let it slide for Natalia''s sake, but definitely not


    with me."


    "Coward, you''re really no man!"


    Elliott chuckled, "Hey,e over for my birthday in a few days?"


    Scarlett tly refused.


    "I''m on duty. No time."


    Elliott, "Too busy to even eat?"


    "Can''t you take a hint? I''d rather work than have dinner with you."


    With that, Scarlett hung up the phone.


    Back in her room, Natalia couldn''t resist pulling out a photo from the drawer.


    It was obvious she looked at it often.


    It wasn''t just any photo, but one she secretly snapped during her 4D ultrasound.


    Her finger gently touched the tiny face in the photo, and Natalia, fighting back


    tears, held the photo against her chest.


    Scarlett came in with a ss of milk.


    "Stop worrying. Go to sleep, okay?"


    Natalia smiled and nodded, still clutching the photo.


    It was a while before she picked up the milk to take a sip, her phone ringing at


    that moment.


    Bertram was calling.


    "Natalia, the Stafford family called several times today, interested in a partnership."


    Natalia paused.


    "The Stafford family?"


    "Yes, I''ll send you the details."


    Natalia hung up, and within moments, Bertram sent over the Stafford family''s


    information.


    The Stafford family was a rising star in the pharmaceutical industry, gaining momentum especially after the Schafer family''s downfall.


    As Natalia browsed through the information, she spotted Emeric''s name.


    Her gaze flickered, and she immediately called Bertram back.


    "Tell the Stafford family I can meet them tomorrow to discuss the partnership."