SWNOVELS Chapter 122
Chapter 122
Natalia was at a loss for words when asked about her relationship with Hamilton.
The truth was, there was no “treating her well” to speak of-it was purely
transactional.
“It's okay, I guess.” she replied with a forced smile, recalling the past three years
of what could be termed as pleasant business dealings.
But Ryan saw through her facade, noting the hint of sadness in her eyes. He
wanted to ask more, to delve deeper, but he hesitated, aware of the intrusion it
would be.
After a long silence, he finally spoke up, “Natalia, I've always liked you.”
It took a lot of guts for Ryan to confess his feelings. He had been searching for
Natalia for three years and had waited just as long for a chance with her. He was
overjoyed when she suddenly reached out to him, but to his dismay, she was
involved with someone else.
He knew it wasn’t the right moment to express his feelings, yet he couldn't help
but make his affections known. Even if she couldn't reciprocate, he wanted her to
know she had an option in him, a fallback if things with the other man turned
sour.
Natalia, taken aback, could only manage a bitter chuckle. “Ryan, I'm not the good
girl you think I am. You deserve someone better.”
With her complicated past and current entanglements with Hamilton, Natalia
didn't see herself as a catch. Ryan, with his good looks, abilities, and family
background, should be with someone untainted by scandal, not someone like
her, with a tarnished reputation.
Ryan just smiled softly. “Natalia, I'm not trying to mess up your relationship. I just
want you to know that if you ever find yourself unhappy, I can be an option for
you. No pressure.”
1
His voice was gentle, and his manner never rushed. Ryan had always been a
man of decorum, a true gentleman, unlike the superficial charm of Hamilton.
Natalia was at a loss for words, but Ryan didn’t press the matter further and
instead shifted the conversation to lighter topics. Natalia was rather thankful he
spared her any discomfort.
The car moved quietly through the night, classical music playing softly in the
background. Ryan only dropped Natalia off at the entrance to her apartment
complex before leaving.
As Natalia walked in, she saw Hamilton waiting for her, a cigarette between his
fingers. He didn’t move when he saw her; he just raised an eyebrow and
chuckled.
“Ms. Jenkins, seems like you're forgetting who you are,” Hamilton remarked.
Taking a deep breath, Natalia tried to explain, “I had dinner with Collin tonight.
I've signed a contract with the Foreign Affairs Department. I'll be doing some
consulting work for them.”
Hamilton just watched her, saying nothing more.
Natalia, feeling the conversation was over, turned and headed for her apartment.
Hamilton
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Chapter 122
stubbed out his cigarette and followed her inside, carrying a box of condoms from
his car. Both knew what was going to happen next.
Once inside, Hamilton went straight to business, using her for his own
gratification before showering, dressing, and leaving in silence.
Natalia was left alone, feeling more hollow than ever. She knew this was the
nature of their arrangement and that she should accept it. She had to.
After a while, she took a shower and tried to sleep. She had hoped the real
estate agent was right, that her house would sell quickly. But the next morning,
the agent called with bad news.
“Ms. Jenkins, did you upset someone? Lots of people are interested in the
house, but as soon as your name comes up, they lose interest. What's going on?
Is there a problem with the house?”
Natalia knew Hamilton was likely behind this. She called him, trying to confront
the issue.
“Yes?” Hamilton sounded busy, probably outside.
“Holding grudges, Hamilton? What's the point?” Natalia clutched her phone
tightly.
Hamilton just laughed and hung up.
Frustrated but powerless, Natalia instructed the agent to keep looking for a
buyer.
Just when she had lost all hope, the agent called her with a potential viewing.
“Ms. Jenkins, someone wants to see the house. Please, make sure you're there
on time.”
Her spirits lifted, Natalia agreed and rushed to the property.
But upon arriving, her heart sank. Gideon Chappelle stood at the door, a sinister
smile on his face.
Forcing calm into her voice, Natalia greeted him, “Mr. Chappelle, what a surprise
to see you here.”
Gideon's eyes greedily roamed over her. “I'm here to see the house, Ms. Jenkins.
Surprised?”
He had almost had his way with her once before, only for Hamilton to intervene.
Since then, he had been craving another opportunity but had been wary of
Hamilton's influence.
Now, he had heard that Natalia and Hamilton had a falling out, and he was eager
to see who
would save her this time.
“Gideon, you know the relationship I have with Hamilton!” Natalia stood rigid,
feigning
composure.
Gideon just snorted with laughter. “Natalia, do you really think I don’t know you've
had a fallout with Hamilton?”
“Who told you we had a falling out? It was just a lovers" tiff. You should know
better than to take it seriously. Or should I just call him right now, clear the air
with you?"
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Chapter 122
With that, she boldly dialed Hamilton's number right in front of Gideon.
Before the call even connected, Gideon surged forward, his anger boiling over as
he smashed Natalia's phone to the floor.
His teeth gritted with fury; he grasped Natalia by the throat.
He truly feared Hamilton. That man was ruthless and never showed mercy in his
dealings. But after waiting for so long, Gideon would not let his prize slip away.
A vicious glint crossed his eyes. He pried open Natalia’s mouth and forced a pill
inside.
Natalia tried to retch it out, but he made her swallow it against her will.
“Ms. Jenkins, let's see what comes first — the kick of my pill or your savior
Hamilton arriving. Once you're under the influence, it won't be me forcing you
anymore!”
Natalia’s face turned ghostly pale. She knew too well Hamilton wouldn't come to
her rescue.
“Gideon, aren't you scared Hamilton will have your head for this?"
Gideon chuckled darkly. “Ms. Jenkins, it was you who shamelessly climbed into
my bed!”
Her lips trembled with fear.
“Even if I did, do you think Hamilton would let go of someone who cuckolded
him? Gideon, you should know better than anyone how Hamilton deals with his
enemies. And besides, hasn't Victor been spreading rumors about me seducing
him? Guess why Hamilton went after Victor's business not too long ago?”
Gideon's expression changed instantly, his face contorted with rage.
He had heard about the sudden strike Hamilton had made on Victor's company
and had been puzzled by the animosity between the former allies.
Now, the pieces fell into place, and a grim realization dawned on him.
Blazing with anger, he glared at Natalia. He did desire her, but to cross Hamilton
for a woman like her was not worth the risk.
Yet, to give up without a fight was against his nature.
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He slapped Natalia hard across the
“ . . : )
face. “Natalia, you just wait. I don't
believe Hamilton can protect you
» :
forever!” The content is on
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chapter there!
With that, Gideon stormed out, seething with fury.
Natalia slumped to the floor, drained.
The drug was taking effect; her body was heating up, and her legs felt weak.
The real estate agent rushed over to find Natalia sitting on the ground, a clear
handprint on her face.
“Ms. Jenkins, what happened? Where's the client who was viewing the house?”
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Chapter 122
With tears in her eyes and shaking hands, she pleaded, “Can you call me a
cab?"
“Of course, just a moment.”
Soon after, the taxi arrived.
Natalia, mustering all her strength, climbed into the car.
Stumbling into her apartment, she noticed a shadowy figure in the dimly lit
hallway.
Her vision was blurry, but instinct told her it was Hamilton.
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She wanted to rush into his arms, the
drug-induced agony almost robbing
her of her sanity. But she held back.
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She didn’t want anyone to touch her in this state, Hamilton included.
His voice was laced with irritation. “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
Natalia didn't reply. Instead, she staggered into her apartment, fumbling with the
door.
Hamilton caught her wrist from behind.
Natalia’s body jerked.
“Let me go!” she cried out in sudden panic, then hugged herself and stepped
back.
“Don't touch me, please, just don't.”
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It was then that Hamilton realized
something was terribly wrong. His
face darkened immediately. His long
fingers lifted her chin, and he saw the
slap mark on her face. The content is
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His voice was colder than frost. “Who did this to you?”