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?”

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

Chapter 21

Ms. Jenkins is willing to take

was stunned, then looked at Natalia with

a reassuring

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

a cryptic smile playing on his perfect features.

said, “That Ms. Schafer gave me a hard time

have you?” Hamilton asked with a wicked

twitched. “I have.”

there to argue about?”

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 is consensual. Ms. Schafer

seem quite justified about sleeping with

smile. “At least

“Come

Natalia didn’t move.

“Do you want Tess

made her

onto his lap and kissed

of the president’s office, Tess rushed

how did it go?”

good now, get back

burst into tears again. “Boss, you’re the best.

“No need for that. Just be less impulsive

“But they were so out of

Chapter 21

laughed. “It doesn’t bother me, not one bit.”

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. Fowler sees

If Mr. Fowler hears you,

up but then gasped. “Boss, did you eat

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

said, “Yeah,

a call from Scarlett. They

Natalia a lemon water, she quipped, “Be

“Did you bring

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

not too bad; just some smells set me

to avoid taking