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?”

but the reason for the fight was

Chapter 21

other employee. “Since Ms. Jenkins is willing to

stunned, then looked at Natalia

offered a reassuring

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

smile playing on his perfect features.

paused for a moment, then said, “That Ms. Schafer gave me a hard time because I

have you?” Hamilton asked with a

twitched. “I

there to

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 is

slightly. “You seem quite justified about sleeping with me.”

offered a bitter smile. “At least I

“Come

Natalia didn’t move.

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

eventually made her

his lap and kissed her aggressively.

Natalia finally stepped out of the president’s office, Tess

how did

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

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

for that. Just be less

“But they were so out of line.”

Chapter 21

bother me, not one

on Natalia’s behalf. “That shouldn’t give them the right to talk like that! And that Eveleen Schafer, she’s no good. I don’t understand what Mr.

“Be careful. If Mr. Fowler hears you, I won’t be able to

“Boss, did you eat

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

said, “Yeah, a

its end, Natalia received a call from Scarlett. They agreed to

arrived, Scarlett was nursing a coffee. Handing Natalia a lemon water, she quipped, “Be

“Did you

“They’re good for nausea. Are you having

her bag. “It’s not too bad; just

to avoid taking