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.

or Hamilton, so there

Natalia felt numb as if the blood coursing through her

suspecting me?” She tried to sound composed,

was

you, was it

tight smile. “No,

sure?” Hamilton’s eyes narrowed,

in her nose. “I am sure, Mr.

a moment before finally speaking. “You don’t need to worry about the

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

a long while before saying. “Let the executive secretary

back.”

“Thank you, Mr.

it wasn’t her,

glanced at

“Go back.”

“Mr. Fowler!”

no room

the agent out. “You should leave it to Hamilton. He’s got it under

choice, the

the hotel, Natalia took a while to collect herself. She never imagined being under such suspicion from Hamilton. It felt suffocating as if

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That was why he confronted her like this. He hadn’t considered that his accusations might hurt her,

empty, as the

reality and forced a smile. “I’m

seemed at a loss for words. Finally. she just quietly opened

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

in her heart felt suffocating.

what about PR?

paused before responding. “Don’t worry about it. Mr.

replied, “Okay. Boss, are

a smile.

at the hotel, Hamilton leaned back on the couch, his expression unreadable.

him and, after a silent moment, said, “Bro, I don’t think it was

how

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

chuckled. “What if that’s exactly her

brow, puzzled. Could she really be doing that? And even if she was, was it worth the risk? It wasn’t like they had concrete evidence. But Hamilton seemed sure,

Hamilton commanded, “Bring me the reporter

get it

he could reach the door, Hamilton added,

then nodded. “Sure thing.”

at being summoned. When he saw Hamilton,

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Chapter 36