Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 82

Natalia thought she could shrug off the rumors like a light dusting of snow from her shoulders. But the whispers and stores that followed her through the office comidors all afternoon were enough to chill her bones. It was uncomfortable, to say the least.

Hamilton paused mid–stride, arching an eyebrow at her.

“Giselle’s getting the boot.” He promised.

A laugh escaped Natalia’s lips, “Good.”

That must be the biggest concession Hamilton was willing to make. He wouldn’t step forward to squash the rumors himself. After all, by doing so, he’d practically be confirming their relationship to the world.

Of course, that would also mean admitting that the real homewrecker was Eveleen all this long.

And when it came to Eveleen, Hamilton would never act against her.

So, firing Giselle seemed like the best solution; it would shatter the gossip without exposing their relationship.

Just perfect.

By the next morning, word of Giselle’s dismissal spread through the company like wildfire. The tongues that had wagged about Natalia now lay still.

Yet some things, once rooted in the heart, were hard to uproot. Especially for this kind of salacious rumor

Natalia knew that all too well. Though the chatter had ceased, she could still feel the weight of weird glances from her colleagues. But it seemed all she could do was pretend not to

notice.

After the morning meeting, as Natalia was gathering her reports to update Hamilton on their progress, Tess burst in.

“Boss, Giselle’s been canned!” She cried with excitement.

Natalia nodded in acknowledgment, “Yeah, I heard.”

“Now let’s see who dares spread lies about you,” Tess was puffing up with a triumphant air.

“Pfft, Eveleen’s cousin or not, she still got the axe. Boss, I’ve gotta say that Mr. Fowler’s a decent man.”

Natalia couldn’t help but chuckle, “Decent? Remember when he almost fired you?”

“True. And I heard Orpheus Fowler got the boot from Mr. Fowler himself, kicked right out the door and dragged off by security.” Tess shuddered at the thought. “They say Orpheus was sent flying out of the office, coughing up blood on the

15. 15.

is ghosts. Boss,

rubines when he needs for teen couldn’t

towered her gase Her eile Inded as she contemplated the turn of the fast

at work, yet she wouldn’t have ques and he’d physically

know that Hamiliars

courtesy and grace. But those who knew him understood

truly kind? Natalia’s mind suddenly wandered to Hamilton as a child. Back then, he was

boy into the man he was now? It was a

she pulled herself from these thoughts, choosing not to dwell on them. After all,

up the reports from her desk and headed to the CEO’s office.

the documents in front of Harnilton, “Mr. Fowler, I need your

them casually and signed his name. Instead of handing them back to Natalia,

polite, detached smile, “Much

health?” he probed further.

a moment and continued,

nodded absentmindedly, “Don’t overdo it. Delegate what you can.”

hesitated before asking,

moment in silence. “Are

didn’t deny it, “I’ve got work to

before he finally asked, “The class

was surprised he

she added, “If you’re busy, Mr. Fowler,

come.”

Chapter 82

first offered to accompany her to the reunion, she had felt a flicker

happened that night, all excitement had drained away. What was the point of bringing him as her

was inscrutable. And he finally said,

you worried I’ll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t worry. He won’t

solid reason to go? Or do you have something

replied with a touch of exasperated

convince me otherwise. It’s perfectly normal to bring a

She had never imagined that one day, these terms of endearment would

a smile, “Alright. Then, Mr. Fowler, please

on time.”