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

at the executive secretary.

Manager reporting in,” the

“I’ll come back later.”

lips twitched. “You

rush into the line of

work. Except, of course, for the last–minute

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

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

thoughts drifted

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 she had

sorry for him. Whenever her mother made something tasty, she would rush to

you. You’re the kindest person in the world to me,” he

with her for years. But then, he

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

was not the boy from her childhood. His words of affection were no longer

pantry door swung open. It

Jenkins, Mr. Fowler is waiting.”

pushed open the door to Hamilton’s office.

behind his desk, head down, his

always finding time to

you seemed busy.”

the boss is swamped while you find the time to enjoy the view. Do you think your salary is justified?”

Ms. Schafer start shooting? If she can’t recover soon,

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Chapter 23

any further delays will affect the campaign.”

you’re not doing your job properly. As for a replacement, that’s not an option. Don’t even consider it. If you can’t

wasn’t just the campaign at stake, but her position

How ridiculous.

was the one not cooperating, yet Natalia was the one he wanted to replace.

several times that she needed this job and the money. and she couldn’t afford to lose

do my best.” she met

seemed to satisfy

task on time and to a

after a short silence.

at her desk, she started to call Eveleen’s agent to reschedule.