Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 17

Eveleen’s face twisted into a scowl. “Natalia, do you really think that just because you've hung around him for a few years, he’s yours? He’s been publicly singl

think you are to him?” all these years. What do you all these years. What do you

Natalia’s heart felt as if it had been sharply jabbed. She knew her place better than anyone. Yet, faced with Eveleen, she refused to show any sign of weakness.

“He may not be mine, but he’s certainly not yours!” Eveleen seemed stung by the retort, her features quickly clouding over with a harsh chill.

“Natalia, don’t get too smug. Hamilton will be mine sooner or later. I’m back to discuss our wedding plans, so stop clinging to him like some homewrecker. It was bad enough that your mother played that role, and now you're following in her footsteps. You and your mother are truly nauseating!”

In a sudden loss of control, Natalia slapped Eveleen in the face.

“Natalia!” Hamilton’s voice came from behind which made Natalia’s fingers tremble violently. She stood rigid, almost too afraid to turn around.

“What are you doing?” Hamilton's voice was colder than she had ever heard. Natalia turned to face him and said. “I’m slapping someone. Can’t Mr. Fowler see?” “I'm asking why you slapped her!”

Natalia glared at Hamilton before her, whose expression was chillingly cold. “Someone insulted my mother. Am | supposed to wait for Christmas to retaliate?”

“Would she insult your mother for no reason?”

Natalia scoffed, “You should ask Ms. Schafer why she couldn’t keep her mouth shut and had to bring my mother into this to humiliate me.”

Hamilton’s gaze shifted heavily toward Eveleen. Eveleen looked pitiful, with tears welling in her eyes like a damsel in distress.

“No, | just came to apologize to Ms. Jenkins for kicking her out of the car that time. I’ve felt guilty ever since. | just wanted to make amends, but she reacted so violently.”

Natalia knew all too well what Eveleen was capable of, but she still felt a shiver down her at her act. spine

Hamilton observed with a steady gaze.

Natalia met his eyes directly and asked, “Do you not believe me, Mr. Fowler?”

His face was a mask of indifference, and though he didn’t respond, his message was clear.

14-25

Eveleen, still playing the victim, spoke up. “Hamilton, let it go. No matter what, she’s your manager. If she doesn’t want to admit it, that’s fine. | can handle this. After all, | was the one who was unreasonable before. | deserved it.”

Natalia couldn't help but laugh. She had to admire Eveleen’s gall. No wonder this woman could stir Hamilton’s heart. In just a few moments, she had transformed from an aggressor into a pitiable victim.

And she generously offered forgiveness, making Natalia seem unreasonable by comparison.

“Ms. Schafer did deserve it,” Natalia remarked casually.

Hamilton’s eyebrows raised ever so slightly. His gaze lingered on Natalia briefly before he made his judgment.

“Ms. Jenkins, apologize.”

The words were like a bitter pill for Natalia to swallow.

“And if | don’t?”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed, and his cold gaze became oppressive. He would not tolerate her defiance.

“Check the security footage,” Natalia still refused to back down.

Hamilton's emotions were unreadable. He stood between the two women, seemingly detached, yet he was the ultimate arbiter. Eveleen continued to look woefully pitiable.

“Hamilton, let's not push Ms. Jenkins. My reputation is sensitive right now, and for all we know, this could be used against me online.”

Natalia chuckled. “As a public figure, shouldn’t you want to clear this up? Once things are clear. who could tarnish Ms. Schafer’s reputation?”

The war between the two women was never about the truth; it was about the man’s stance.

From the looks of it, Natalia was losing miserably. She understood that pursuing the matter further was pointless. If Hamilton decided she was in the wrong, then even if the truth was. right before him, he wouldn’t acknowledge it.

But she still wanted him to see the truth. “There’s nothing to check, Ms. Jenkins. I’ve already said I'll let it go. What more do you want?” Eveleen was getting anxious. Natalia looked at her, “How can we not check? Wouldn't that be unfair to you, Ms. Schafer?”

Hamilton's inscrutable gaze weighed heavily. “Ms. Jenkins, we're about to start shooting. Are you sure you want to waste everyone's time?”

The scales were clearly tipped. Natalia suddenly lost her fighting spirit.

“I'm sorry.” The words seemed to drain all her strength. After apologizing, she turned and left, her heart filled with icy desolation.

It appeared she was contending with Eveleen, but only she knew that she was really fighting the painful realization that her years of devotion had led to this outcome. She wanted this man to see Eveleen’s true colors, but she had overlooked whether he wanted to see them.

Perhaps he already knew what Eveleen was like and simply didn’t care. Favoritism can be so irrational, where right and wrong are of no consequence.

After Natalia left, Hamilton finally glanced at Eveleen who still looked woefully aggrieved.

“Hamilton, it hurts.” Hamilton eyed her for a long moment before saying, “Let’s go, I’ll take you to the doctor.” Despite not wanting to delay, Eveleen’s injury meant they couldn’t shoot after all.

Eveleen left with Hamilton, looking sorrowful but still managing to have her assistant distribute gifts brought from abroad to the studio crew.

“I'm sorry for the trouble today, for delaying everyone’s time.”

The people in the studio wouldn’t complain, happily accepting the future boss’s lady’s. generosity. And then there was Natalia.

The assistant let out a sneering laugh.

“| really don’t get what’s going through Ms. Schafer’s head. You were the one who slapped her. and yet she’s apologized to everyone. Ms. Schafer is just too kind-hearted, too soft. Unlike some people who think they can push everyone around just because they’ve been at the company a while. It’s downright disgusting.”

With those words, the assistant flung the gift she received at Natalia’s face and stormed off.

Bending over, Natalia picked up the gift. When she looked up, she found herself under the complex gazes of her colleagues. Natalia ignored them and walked out with her belongings. Tess followed her and said, “Maybe you shouldn't keep butting heads with Eveleen. She’s going to be our future boss’s wife, after all. How can you ever win?”

Natalia kept silent. A wave of bitterness washed over her. It wasn’t her choice to make. Even if she didn’t confront Eveleen, would that stop Eveleen from targeting her?

Eveleen wasn’t that generous. As long as Natalia had to work another day at Hamilton’s side, Eveleen would probably never let her be.

Natalia headed straight back to the office. She had barely settled in when the executive secretary's call came through. 14:25

“Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Fowler insists you come home immediately.”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Natalia paused for a moment and said, “There’s an issue with the new product strategy. | need to make some changes, so I'll have to work late tonight.”

The voice on the other end remained gentle, “Mr. Fowler says not to make him come get you.”