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?”

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

15. 15.

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

be a rubines when he needs for

her gase Her eile Inded as she contemplated

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

know that Hamiliars

of courtesy and grace. But

who took over the Fowler empire at nineteen be anything but truly kind? Natalia’s mind suddenly wandered to Hamilton as a child.

hardened such a sweet boy into the man he was now? It was a puzzle

these thoughts, choosing not to dwell

her desk and headed to the CEO’s

placed the documents in front of Harnilton,

them casually and signed his name. Instead of handing them back to Natalia, he looked up and asked, “How’s your arm

polite, detached

health?” he

moment and continued, “Fine

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

before asking,

in silence. “Are you in such

didn’t deny it, “I’ve got work to attend to.”

eyes narrowed slightly before he finally asked, “The class

was surprised he

a moment, she added, “If you’re

come.”

Chapter 82

to the reunion, she had felt a flicker of

drained away. What was the point of bringing

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

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

solid reason to go? Or do you have something

replied with a touch of exasperated feeling.

It’s perfectly normal

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

a smile, “Alright. Then, Mr. Fowler, please be sure to come

on time.”