Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 23

Natalia stifled her anger and returned to the studio, apologizing profusely to the crew before heading back to the company. She knew Hamilton had deliberately kept her in the dark the night before. But for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what she had done to tick him off this

time.

After settling into her office for a bit, Hamilton’s call came through. “Come up and fix me a cup of coffee.”

“Sorry, Mr. Fowler, I need to reschedule the studio shoot.”

“And?”

“I don’t have time right now. Maybe someone else can make your coffee.” Natalia hung up without another word. After the call, she felt a surge of rebellious pride–she had just hung up on Hamilton Fowler.

But damn the consequences, she really didn’t want to see him right now. Did he actually enjoy playing these games?

Natalia was still seething. The man never seemed to lose. Now she thought about it; it was probably because she had given the food she had made for him to the stray animals.

But what was she supposed to do? Leave it out for him to eat after coming back from dining with Eveleen? As if he would care for her simple home cooking after Eveleen’s gourmet meals?

Soon after, the intercom buzzed, and Tess, her assistant, cautiously knocked on her door.

“Boss, Mr. Fowler wants to see you.”

Tess was well aware of the stunt pulled on Natalia today. Everyone at the studio had a pretty good idea of what was happening. It seemed to be another round in the ongoing rivalry between two women. And once again, Natalia seemed to have lost.

Eveleen, the untouchable queen bee, could make Natalia crumble without even showing up. Even Tess felt it was unfair. But with Hamilton high on his throne, if he sided with Eveleen, no

one dared speak up.

Natalia slumped in her chair, reluctant to move. But she knew if she didn’t, someone else would

catch the heat.

Hamilton was adept at manipulation. He always knew what she valued. If she disobeyed, it would be Tess or the executive secretary who would suffer.

In his world, she had no choice but to play along.

“I got it.”

Pushing down her frustration, Natalia gathered her composure and headed upstairs.

As she approached the door, she heard a loud bang from inside, and her steps halted abruptly.

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Chapter 23

back at the

Sales Manager reporting in,” the secretary

paused. “I’ll come

secretary’s lips twitched. “You can go in

rush into

at work. Except, of course, for the last–minute switch in the campaign plan.

could understand why – the replacement was Eveleen, Hamilton’s first love, his lost dream. Eveleen must really

glass of water, she sat by the window, feeling a persistent discomfort in

her thoughts drifted back to

had spent about half a year in that little coastal village. He had only a nanny with him, and Natalia always thought he looked so lonely, even if she was living a rough life herself – at least

sorry for him. Whenever her mother made something tasty, she would rush to share it with Hamilton. He would light up with

kindest person in

of affection stayed with her for years. But then,

Hamilton again three years ago, she realized he wasn’t pitiable at all. The true pitiable one had always been her. It seemed she had

Hamilton of today was not the boy from her childhood. His words of affection were

It was the executive secretary.

Fowler

the door to

head down, his voice dripping with sarcasm as

Jenkins, always finding time to slack off, I

you seemed

time to enjoy the view. Do you think your

can Ms. Schafer start shooting? If she can’t recover soon, I suggest finding a replacement. We

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Chapter 23

month, and any further delays will affect the

an option. Don’t even consider it. If you can’t handle the job, maybe it’s time for someone else to take

the campaign at stake, but her position as

How ridiculous.

one not cooperating, yet Natalia was the one he

this job and the money. and she couldn’t afford to

my best.” she met

to satisfy

complete the task on time and to a high standard.”

after

started to call