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 reason for the fight was

Chapter 21

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

was stunned, then looked at Natalia

reassuring smile. “Don’t

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

lounged back, a cryptic smile playing on his perfect

Ms. Schafer gave me a hard time

asked with a wicked edge.

twitched.

there to argue about?”

nothing to do with Ms. Schafer. I’m not a mistress, I haven’t cheated, and I’ve

quite

least I have a clear

“Come here.”

Natalia didn’t move.

you want Tess to be

eventually made her

his lap and

the president’s office, Tess rushed

how did it go?”

all good

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

that. Just be less

they were so out of

Chapter 21

bother me, not

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

you, I won’t be able

gasped. “Boss, did you eat too much spicy

was from Hamilton’s

said, “Yeah, a little.”

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

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

“Did you bring the

over. “They’re good for nausea. Are

“It’s not too bad; just

taking them then.”