Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 36

Natalia’s mind buzzed with a sudden alarm. She sprang from her bed and clicked open Twitter. The trending tab was ablaze with an icon indicating an explosion of interest in Eveleen’s late–night rendezvous with a mystery man at a hotel.

Natalia immediately recognized the man in the photo as none other than Hamilton.

Due to a snapshot they had taken the day before, many netizens had speculated that the man was indeed Hamilton Fowler.

Hamilton, the true power behind the Fowler dynasty. And now, he had Ivy Gemstone under his wing. Such a man, with power and wealth, tangled up with a starlet fresh from abroad – it wasn’t a stretch for the rumor mill to churn out words like “sugar daddy.”

The comments section was starting to veer off in a sinister direction. Eveleen, as the face of Ivy Gemstone, was integral to the brand’s image.

If her reputation collapsed, Ivy Gemstone would inevitably suffer the fallout.

Natalia hurriedly got dressed, her mind racing with countless PR strategies. But before she could return Tess’s call, there was a knock at her door.

When Natalia opened it, she was greeted by the executive secretary.

“Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Fowler has requested your presence,” the secretary said with a solemn tone.

Natalia paused for a moment. “Is it about the trending topic?”

The secretary nodded, clearly holding back more words.

Noticing this, Natalia didn’t press further. She quickly gathered her things and followed the secretary out the door.

The hotel where Hamilton was staying wasn’t close by. By the time Natalia arrived, Hamilton was sitting in the room, his expression dark and brooding. Beside him stood Alden, and across the room was Eveleen’s agent, Aurora.

“Mr. Fowler,” Natalia greeted as she entered. “About the trending…

“Was it you?” Hamilton cut her off before she could finish, his voice laced with a chilling

undertone, his eyes devoid of warmth.

Natalia choked up, the rest of her words caught in her throat. She hesitated for a moment, then asked, “What do you mean?”

Hamilton’s voice was steady, emotionless. “Did you arrange for this to trend?”

Natalia’s mind spun into chaos. It was then she remembered.

Who would dare to report news on Hamilton?

Who would dare to publish his photos?

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Hamilton had been associated with starlets before. He had been caught on camera many times. But no matter how many photos were taken, without his permission, they were never released.

Paparazzi only took these photos to exchange them for hush money from the starlets.

consent of Eveleen or Hamilton, so there was only. one possibility – someone was setting up Eveleen.

obvious culprit was her. Natalia felt numb as if the blood coursing through

you suspecting me?” She tried to sound composed, but her complexion was turning

was

just asking you, was

a tight smile. “No,

eyes narrowed, his

nose. “I

regarded her silently for a moment before finally speaking. “You don’t need to

a weak smile. “Okay, is there anything else? If

long while before saying. “Let the

back.”

you, Mr. Fowler.”

Eveleen’s agent’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Mr. Fowler, just because she says it wasn’t her, we’re supposed to believe that? If not her, then who? Eveleen hasn’t crossed

at her.

“Go back.”

“Mr. Fowler!”

no room for

in, ushering the agent out. “You should leave it to

choice, the agent left,

to collect herself. She never imagined being under such suspicion from Hamilton. It felt suffocating as if she couldn’t

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confronted her like this. He hadn’t considered that his accusations might hurt her, because he didn’t

the hotel, her gaze empty, as the executive

and forced a smile.

her mouth to offer consolation but seemed at a loss for words. Finally. she just quietly opened the car door

night, to believe that this man could show her even a

in her heart felt suffocating.

time, Tess called again. “Boss, what about

it. Mr.

but simply replied, “Okay. Boss, are you

forced a smile.

hotel, Hamilton leaned back

after a silent moment, said, “Bro, I

at him. “And how would

for her to do this, and come on, Ms. Jenkins isn’t the type to play dirty tricks behind someone’s back. You’ve known her for three years, right? You

“What if that’s

furrowed his brow, puzzled. Could she really be doing that? And even if she was, was it worth the risk? It

moment of contemplation, Hamilton commanded, “Bring me the reporter who

get it straight from the

could reach

then nodded.

arrive was a scruffy paparazzo in his thirties, clearly bewildered at being summoned. When he saw Hamilton, he was visibly shaken. “You’re Hamilton Fowler, right?”

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