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?”

for the fight was me. Mr.

Chapter 21

other employee. “Since Ms. Jenkins is willing to take responsibility, you two can leave.”

looked at Natalia with worry.

just offered a reassuring smile.

pair left 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 the office, but Tess was just

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

said, “That Ms. Schafer gave me a hard time because I slept with

Hamilton asked with

lips twitched.

to argue

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

seem quite

bitter smile. “At least I have a clear conscience.”

snorted. “Come

Natalia didn’t move.

“Do you want Tess to

her way over.

her onto his lap and kissed her aggressively.

office, Tess

how did it go?”

smiled softly. “It’s all good now, get back

tears again. “Boss, you’re the best.

need for that. Just be less impulsive next time.”

pouted. “But they were so

Chapter 21

laughed. “It doesn’t bother me, not

the right to talk like that! And that Eveleen Schafer, she’s no

hears you,

clammed up but then gasped. “Boss, did you eat too

touched her lip; it was from Hamilton’s

“Yeah, a

from Scarlett. They agreed to meet at a dessert

water, she quipped, “Be grateful I’m even giving you lemon water. Someone like you should stick

“Did you bring the medicine?”

them over. “They’re good for nausea.

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

avoid taking them