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?”

fight, but the reason for the fight was

Chapter 21

Tess and the other employee. “Since Ms. Jenkins is willing

then looked at Natalia

reassuring smile. “Don’t

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

lounged back, a cryptic smile playing on his perfect

Schafer gave me a hard time because I slept with

Hamilton asked with

twitched. “I

there to

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 has no right to reprimand me!”

narrowed slightly. “You seem quite justified about sleeping

bitter smile. “At least I have

snorted. “Come

Natalia didn’t move.

want Tess to be alright or

her

pulled her onto his lap and

office, Tess rushed to her,

did it go?”

all good now,

again. “Boss, you’re the

“No need for that. Just be

pouted. “But they were so out of line.”

Chapter 21

laughed. “It doesn’t bother me, not

right to talk like that!

hears you, I

“Boss, did you

it was from Hamilton’s

“Yeah,

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

quipped, “Be grateful I’m even giving

“Did you bring the medicine?”

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

her bag. “It’s not too

to avoid taking them