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?”

the fight was me. Mr. Fowler, I’ll

Chapter 21

“Since Ms. Jenkins is willing to

was stunned, then looked at Natalia with worry.

offered a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry.”

the office. Hamilton 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 if you’ve heard the rumors spreading around

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

Schafer gave me

Hamilton asked with a wicked

twitched. “I

there to

met the man’s gaze head–on. “Even if I have slept with you, it has nothing to do with Ms. Schafer. I’m not a mistress, I haven’t cheated, and I’ve done nothing shameful. Even my relationship with

“You seem quite justified about sleeping with me.”

“At least I have

snorted. “Come

Natalia didn’t move.

turned sour. “Do you want Tess to be alright or

her way

pulled her onto his lap

office, Tess rushed to her, tears streaming

did it go?”

“It’s all good

into tears again. “Boss, you’re the best. I’d walk through

chuckled helplessly. “No need for that. Just be

they were so out of

Chapter 21

bother me, not

shouldn’t give them the right to talk like that!

Mr. Fowler hears you, I won’t be

gasped. “Boss, did you eat too much

touched her lip; it was from Hamilton’s

said, “Yeah, a

call from Scarlett. They agreed to meet at a dessert café.

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

“Did you bring

nodded, handing them over. “They’re good for

bag. “It’s not too

to avoid taking