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?”

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 spot.

15. 15.

were as shocked, they humed pate is ghosts. Boss, how can Mr.

yet be a rubines when he needs for teen couldn’t help

she

maintained a gentlemanly demeanor at work, yet she wouldn’t have ques and he’d physically confront

alen know that Hamiliars gentility

was the epitome of courtesy and grace. But those who

could someone who took over the Fowler empire at nineteen be anything but truly kind? Natalia’s mind suddenly wandered to

into the man he was now?

these thoughts, choosing not to dwell on them. After all, that man no longer

the reports from her desk and headed to the CEO’s

she placed the documents in front of Harnilton, “Mr. Fowler, I need your signature on these two

Instead of handing them back to Natalia, he

polite, detached

your health?” he probed

a moment and continued, “Fine as

it. Delegate what

hesitated before asking,

a moment in silence. “Are you in such

“I’ve got work to attend

narrowed slightly before he finally asked,

was surprised he remembered.

a moment, she added, “If

come.”

Chapter 82

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

the point of bringing him as her boyfriend?

on her, which was inscrutable. And he finally said, “Since I

“Are you worried I’ll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t worry. He won’t be there.”

“Do I really need a solid reason to go? Or do you have

a touch of

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

day, these terms of endearment would become the last thing she

“Alright. Then, Mr. Fowler, please be sure to

on time.”