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.

photo was released without the consent of Eveleen or Hamilton, so there was

the obvious culprit was her. Natalia felt numb as if the blood coursing through her veins had turned ice cold.

me?” She tried to

voice was

asking you,

a tight smile. “No, it’s

you sure?” Hamilton’s eyes narrowed, his

felt a bitter tang in her nose. “I am sure, Mr. Fowler. It wasn’t

moment before finally speaking.

“Okay, is there anything else? If

before

back.”

smiled. “Thank you, Mr.

it wasn’t her, we’re supposed to believe that? If not her, then who? Eveleen hasn’t crossed anyone

glanced at her.

“Go back.”

“Mr. Fowler!”

left no

out. “You should leave it to

the

herself. She never imagined being under such suspicion from

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Chapter 36

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

of the hotel, her gaze empty, as the executive secretary waited.

reality and forced a smile.

she just quietly opened

she thinking last night, to believe that this man could show her

in her heart felt suffocating.

some time, Tess called again. “Boss, what about PR? Should we contact Eveleen’s

about it. Mr. Fowler will

simply replied, “Okay. Boss,

forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

Hamilton leaned back

stood beside him and, after a silent moment, said, “Bro, I don’t think it was Ms. Jenkins.”

“And how would you know

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

chuckled. “What if that’s exactly her

that? And even if she was, was it worth the risk? It

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

well get it straight from the horse’s

he could reach the

then nodded. “Sure thing.”

to arrive was a scruffy paparazzo in his thirties, clearly bewildered at being summoned. When he saw

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