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.

of Eveleen or Hamilton, so there

Natalia felt numb as if the blood coursing through her veins had turned ice

are you suspecting me?” She tried to sound composed, but her

voice was

you, was it

forced a tight smile. “No,

sure?” Hamilton’s eyes

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

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

“Okay, is there anything else? If not,

for a long while before saying. “Let the executive secretary take you

back.”

“Thank you,

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

at

“Go back.”

“Mr. Fowler!”

Hamilton’s command left no room for discussion.

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

no other choice, the agent

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

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Chapter 36

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

the hotel, her gaze empty, as the executive secretary waited. “Ms.

to reality and forced

she just quietly opened the car door for Natalia. She sat down and closed

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

pain in her heart felt suffocating.

again. “Boss, what about

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

sounded surprised but simply replied, “Okay. Boss, are you okay?”

forced a smile. “I’m

Hamilton leaned back

silent moment, said,

how

on, Ms. Jenkins isn’t the type to play dirty tricks behind someone’s

chuckled. “What if that’s exactly

it worth the risk? It wasn’t like they had concrete evidence. But Hamilton seemed sure,

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

well get it straight from the horse’s

to leave, but before he could reach the door, Hamilton

and then nodded.

his thirties, clearly bewildered at being summoned. When he saw Hamilton, he was visibly shaken.

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