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

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

looked at Natalia with worry.

a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry.”

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

a cryptic smile playing on his perfect features. “What

Schafer gave me a hard time because

have you?” Hamilton asked with a wicked

twitched.

there to

with you, it has nothing to do with Ms. Schafer. I’m not a mistress,

“You seem quite justified about

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

snorted. “Come

Natalia didn’t move.

sour. “Do you want Tess

eventually made her way over.

his lap and kissed her

the president’s office, Tess rushed to her, tears streaming down her

how did

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

the

need for that. Just be less impulsive

“But they were so out

Chapter 21

laughed. “It doesn’t bother me,

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. Fowler sees

If Mr. Fowler hears you, I won’t be able to save you

up but then gasped. “Boss, did you eat too much spicy food? Your lip’s all

lip; it was from

she said, “Yeah, a little.”

its end, Natalia received a call from Scarlett.

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

smiled. “Did you bring the

over. “They’re good for nausea. Are you having a tough

her bag. “It’s not too bad; just

to avoid taking them