Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 103

Linda watched in shock as Natalla doused Eveleen with coffee. She approached Natalia with a look of disbelief. “Ms. Jenkins, why couldn’t you have just let it slide?”

Her meaning was clear: sometimes, it’s better to pick your battles. Eveleen wasn’t a daily fixture around here, after all.

Recently, whenever Eveleen was in a foul mood, she made it everyone's problem. The whole secretarial team had been biting their tongues. But today, Natalia had reached her limit.

This coffee incident was sure to fan the flames of Eveleen’s temper.

Natalia gave a wry smile. “Do you think if | hadn’t thrown the coffee, there wouldn’t be consequences? I’m damned if | do, damned if | don’t. Might as well get some satisfaction out of

it.” “But...” Natalia chuckled. “It’s fine.”

Truth be told, she was beyond caring. Whether Hamilton got mad or exploded in a rage, it made no difference to her. It wasn’t the first time, anyway.

Eveleen, drenched and humiliated, bypassed knocking and barged straight into the boardroom, interrupting an ongoing product briefing.

Hamilton’s eyebrows arched slightly as she entered but quickly knitted into a frown upon seeing her stained outfit. “What happened?” he asked. Eveleen bit her lip, silent, the picture of pitiable innocence that could melt hearts.

Hamilton's face set like frost. He had an inkling as to the culprit. In the whole company, Natalia probably was the only one who would dare to confront Eveleen like this.

He glanced at the employee mid-presentation and curtly dismissed the meeting.

“Let's adjourn for now.”

As the words left his mouth, the staff hurriedly packed up, eager to escape the tension in the room.

When they were gone, Hamilton asked with a steely voice, “Did Natalia do this?”

Eveleen remained silent.

Hamilton's face darkened. “What's this about? Another spat? Did you provoke her again?” Eveleen’s patience snapped. “Why am | being accused? She’s the one who bullied me!” She glared at Hamilton, knowing her manipulations hardly made a dent in his armor. But what Chapter 103

did it matter? As long as Hamilton had a soft spot for her, he would always come to her defense.

Hamilton eyed the coffee stain and called the executive secretary Linda.

“Bring Ms. Schafer a change of clothes.”

After hanging up, he questioned, “I heard you struck one of our employees?”

“She disrespected me first! How dare a mere assistant speak to me like that?”

Hamilton’s gaze grew heavy, and after a tense silence, he spoke.

“Eveleen, this is my business, not your personal playground. Even if she’s just an assistant she’s here to work. Your delays are affecting the project. Are you trying to lose the endorsement?”

Eveleen panicked. “It’s just scheduling issues! Hamilton, I’m being mistreated, and you're blaming me?”

Hamilton's eyes lingered on the stain, his tone softening slightly. “Some things should be handled more gracefully. You know Natalia can’t touch your status here.”

“Then make her leave you, Hamilton. Can you make her leave? | really can’t stand her.”

Hamilton watched her silently before finally saying, “You know | don’t like others meddling in my business.”

At this moment, Linda knocked, bringing a set of clothes.

Eveleen seethed with frustration. There she was, humiliated and soaked, and Hamilton wouldn't lift a finger against Natalia. But she knew when to advance and when to retreat. If she couldn't get Hamilton’s support, she would settle for his guilt.

“| know | overreacted, but I’m scared, Hamilton. It’s been so long since we've spent time together. Can’t you stay with me today?” Hamilton, seeing the tears on her face, reluctantly nodded.

Trying to hide her bitterness, Eveleen took the new clothes from Linda and went to change.

Hamilton then inquired, “Where’s Natalia?*

“She's at the studio.”

Hamilton huffed. “She sure acts like it’s just another day.”

Linda hesitated before confessing, “Mr. Fowler, Ms. Schafer spilled coffee on herself first. Ms. Jenkins only acted afterward.” Hamilton’a aunraccion wae unreadable his thoughts a mystery. After a pause, he probed,

Gathering her courage, Linda continued, “Ms. Jenkins isn’t to blame for this.”

Hamilton's scoff was sharp as ice. “Didn't she retaliate?”

“She did.” Linda admitted reluctantly.

“So, explain to me how she’s not at fault.”

Linda stiffened, and after a moment's silence, Hamilton’s verdict was clear. “Get your resignation procedures done.”

Natalia had been bracing for a call from Hamilton but instead learned of Linda’s firing. Instantly. she knew her actions had repercussions beyond herself.

After wrapping up at the studio, she rushed back to the office. Reaching the top floor, she found Linda packing her things, tears in her eyes.

“I'm sorry,” Natalia said softly.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Linda offered a tearful smile. “It’s not your fault.”

Her words said one thing, but her tears told another story.

Natalia took a deep breath and knocked on Hamilton’s office door. “Come in,” came the emotionless reply.

She entered and was greeted by Hamilton’s indifferent gaze.

“Something you need, Ms. Jenkins?” he asked, his voice cool and detached.

“I'm the one who splashed Eveleen,” Natalia stated plainly.

Hamilton’s laugh held a chilling edge. “Have you come to accept your mistake?”

“Does it matter to you who’s at fault?” Natalia challenged.

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

“| couldn’t care less, but what does concern me, Natalia, is whether you've completely forgotten what I’ve told you before?” His voice carried a chilling edge. A wave of bitterness washed over Natalia.

How could she forget? Hamilton had made it clear and told her not to cross Eveleen. He said if she ever crossed Eveleen, he would never take her side.

She remembered it all. Yet, she still couldn’t and didn’t want to hold back anymore.

She lifted her head, smiling as she looked at Hamilton. “So, what's it going to be? Mr. Fowler, how do you plan to punish me? Send me to apologize to Eveleen? Or let her douse me again?”

After speaking, she laughed again. “Fine by me, whatever you say.”

Hamilton looked at her, his expression growing darker by the second. After a moment, he let out

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a derisive snort.

“Ms. Jenkins, is this really your attitude? If that’s the case, you might as well get back to work.”

With that, the man bowed his head and busied himself once more.

Natalia stood rooted to the spot, her back rigid. She couldn't forget Linda outside who had been forced to resign because of her.

Natalia let out a bitter laugh, and it was a long while before she managed to say, “I’m sorry. | shouldn't have confronted Ms. Schafer.”

Hamilton’s eyes remained narrowed. Listening to her apology, he didn’t feel the slightest bit of satisfaction. On the contrary, it only made him feel more annoyed.

He stood up and approached Natalia. Looking down at her from his superior height, he said, “Natalia, don’t test my limits again.” Natalia looked up at him and managed a wry smile.

“Okay.”