Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 21

Natalia emerged from the restroom only to find an intern from the marketing department rushing toward her, her face flushed with urgency.

“Ms. Jenkins, it’s a mess. Tess got into a fight with someone.”

Natalia’s brows furrowed instantaneously. “What happened?”

The intern hesitated for a moment. “It seems she overheard someone badmouthing you, and Tess just couldn’t stand it. She went over to set things straight, but it turned into a brawl.”

“Where is she now?”

“She’s been summoned to Mr. Fowler’s office.”

Natalia took a deep breath and headed upstairs. At the entrance to the president’s office, the executive secretary seemed to be waiting for her arrival. “Ms. Jenkins.”

Natalia nodded in acknowledgment, “How are things inside?”

The executive secretary looked at her, “It might lead to a termination.”

A pang of guilt hit Natalia. She had been with the company for three years, and Tess had been her right hand for just as long. She knew all too well the struggles of Tess’s family life. Her mother was in poor health, and there was a pair of younger siblings to care for. If Tess were to lose her job over speaking up for her, Natalia’s conscience would never be at ease.

Natalia bit her lip. “How’s Mr. Fowler’s mood today?”

The executive secretary shook her head. “Not great.”

Natalia took another deep breath. “I’ll go in and see.”

“Alright.”

Natalia knocked, but there was no response from inside for a while. It seemed Hamilton wasn’t in the mood to entertain. After several more knocks, finally, a languid voice came through,

“Come in.”

When Tess saw Natalia enter, her eyes, red from crying, welled up with fresh tears.

“Boss,” she whimpered.

Natalia went over and patted her, then turned to Hamilton. “Mr. Fowler, this whole mess started because of me. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

Hamilton was sitting behind his desk, his gaze lifted slightly, his face stormy. “Did you tell her to fight?”

my call to fight, but the reason for the fight was me. Mr. Fowler,

Chapter 21

the other employee. “Since Ms. Jenkins is willing to take responsibility, you two

looked at Natalia with

reassuring smile.

cracked a smile. “How do you plan to take responsibility?” “Mr. Fowler, you can punish me however you see fit, but before any punishment, I need to clear the air. I don’t know

back, a cryptic smile playing on his perfect features. “What

gave

Hamilton asked with a wicked edge.

lips twitched.

there to

has nothing to do with Ms. Schafer. I’m not a mistress, I haven’t cheated, and I’ve done nothing

narrowed slightly. “You seem quite

smile. “At least I

“Come here.”

Natalia didn’t move.

sour. “Do you want Tess

made her way

pulled her onto his lap and kissed her

office, Tess rushed to her,

how did it

good now,

you’re the best.

that. Just be

were so out

Chapter 21

doesn’t bother me,

the right to talk like that! And

hears you, I won’t be able to

you eat too much spicy food?

touched her lip; it was from Hamilton’s rough kiss.

said, “Yeah, a little.”

workday neared its end, Natalia received a call from Scarlett. They agreed to meet at a dessert café.

Natalia a lemon water, she quipped, “Be grateful I’m even giving you lemon water. Someone like you should stick to plain water.”

smiled. “Did you bring

good for nausea.

her bag. “It’s not too bad; just some smells set me off.”

to avoid taking them