Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 24
Suddenly, Natalia found herself momentarily at a loss for words. She forced a stiff
smile, and after what felt like an eternity, she managed to respond, “Would you
mind telling Mr. Fowler to pass a message to Ms. Schafer for me? If she’s feeling
better, I'd appreciate a firm time for our next shoot so I can make the necessary
arrangements.”
Her message was delivered; Natalia didn't linger a second longer and swiftly
turned to leave.
At the CEO's office.
Eveleen peered into Hamilton's office with a look of utter distaste.
“Your office decor is just too boring, all black, white, and gray. It's hideous.”
Hamilton was perusing a contract, and at her comment, the corner of his mouth
twitched slightly. “Well, it's not like you use it. Why do you care if it's hideous or
not?”
Eveleen bristled instantly. “This is your office. How can it not concern me?”
Hamilton glanced up at her, a light chuckle escaping him. “Why are you still as
bossy as you were back in the day?”
Eveleen moved closer with a playful smile. “Don’t you like it?”
Ignoring her question, Hamilton pointed to a script on his desk
“I've looked over the script you mentioned and had some experts analyze it. It's
not right for your style. I advise against wasting time on it. You'd be better off
focusing on the endorsement deal you've got. If you're committed to this
endorsement, then cooperate professionally. If you're really not up for it, we can
always find someone else.”
“Who said I'm not up for it?” Eveleen glared at him.
Hamilton raised an eyebrow. “I thought you were reluctant, pretending to be sick
and then making a point of showing up at the office. What is this, a
demonstration?”
His words struck a nerve, and Eveleen’s annoyance flared. “I was genuinely
feeling unwell!”
Hamilton gave her a look but said nothing more.
Pushing the script towards him, Eveleen challenged, “Aren’t you going to back
me up?”
Hamilton replied coolly, “I'm a businessman. Investment decisions are based on
value. My money doesn’t grow on trees.”
“And what about all the money you spend on Natalia?” Eveleen’s eyes welled up
with tears.
Hamilton raised a brow. “When did I spend money on her?”
“Did you give her that necklace she’s wearing? That thing alone costs more than
10 million. dollars! And you say you didn’t spend money on her?”
Hamilton's expression chilled. “Whatever I spend on her is because she takes
good care of me.
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14:34
Chapter 24
What's the point of comparing like that?”
Eveleen fell silent, understanding the insinuation. Hamilton had always viewed
Natalia as nothing more than a means to satisfy his desires. Even the gifts were
merely rewards for her service, nothing more.
Her mood lifted slightly. What skill was there in merely pleasing a man in bed?
She was after Hamilton's heart. And with Hamilton, she had always kept herself
pristine, unlike Natalia. She shouldn't be comparing herself to Natalia in this way.
But having seized the opportunity, she decided to play the damsel.
Tears glistening in her eyes, Eveleen looked pitifully at Hamilton. “But I'm jealous.
You're not allowed to be nice to her anymore.”
Hamilton laughed softly. “Do you really not know whether I'm nicer to you or her?”
“Then break it off with her.” Eveleen pouted.
Hamilton's face darkened instantly. “Eveleen, that’s my personal business.”
Knowing when to back off. Eveleen dropped the subject upon seeing Hamilton's
displeasure. “Forget it, I was joking. She’s just another woman. Have your fun
how you like!”
She acted the part of the spoiled heiress, expecting Hamilton to cajole her.
Instead, he simply smiled. “Well, it's not really your business anyway.”
Fuming. Eveleen bit her lip. “Let her come up then. I want to talk to her about the
ad shoot!”
Hamilton's gaze shifted away. “Go talk to her yourself, and do it properly. Don’t
throw one of your little heiress tantrums.”
With a huff, Eveleen stormed out of the office.
As Natalia descended from the top floor, she headed straight out of the building.
Below was a quaint garden built for the staff to unwind and relax.
Natalia found a bench by a small pond in the garden and sat down, feeling a
sense of relief wash over her.
Hamilton had always had a voracious appetite in bed. It was often exhausting for
her to keep up with him. He could leave her utterly spent, and sometimes, he
would still feel unsatisfied. But he was probably picky about his partners. Even
when discontented, he hadn't sought anyone else.
Still, Eveleen was his first love. They had a history. In every sense, being with
Eveleen would seem more fulfilling for him than being with Natalia.
His office was off-limits right now. The only time Hamilton gave such orders was
when he was doing it with Natalia.
Sighing deeply, Natalia let go of her pent-up frustrations. She knew well enough
that there wasn’t much to be upset about.
Chapter 24
They were each other's first love, and a reunion was inevitable, and so was their
intimacy. It was just slightly uncomfortable for her to witness.
Leaning back on the bench, she tried to look up at the sun, but her view was
suddenly blocked.
“Ms. Jenkins, what brings you out here?” asked Victor Henkel, his smile
ambiguous.
Natalia shifted her gaze. “Just slacking for a bit. Mr. Henkel, you seem to have
time to spare, wandering our company’s garden during work hours.”
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: wp
Victor sat down next to her. “I'm not
here without purpose. I came to see
Mr. Fowler, but I heard he was
otherwise engaged, and his office
was off-limits. So, I stepped out, and
here I find you. His insinuations clear,
Natalia turned to him with a cold
5 ” 5
smirk. “What are you trying to say.
” :
Mr. Henkel?” The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
Victor's smile remained as he watched her. “You don’t understand?”
Natalia looked away toward the horizon. “It seems you enjoy meddling in other
people's affairs.”
Victor lounged back on the park bench, an air of casual nonchalance about him,
but his words were dripping with sarcasm.
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« . )
So, Hamilton's old flame has come
: : J
back into the picture, huh? I would've
bet good money that you, with your
3 Ho ) 5
fiery spirit, would've stormed off in a
huff by now. But, lo and behold,
J . 3 5 § ’ :
you're still clinging to Hamilton's side.
) 5
What's the game plan, Ms. Jenkins?
SEN ”
Aiming to play the other woman?
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Read the latest chapter there!
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. ,
Natalia's smile didn't waver as she
. “ . ,
replied, “So what if she’s an old
a 5 . )
flame? They still called it quits, didn't
they? If she could keep Hamilton,
p
there wouldn't be any room for
someone like me now, would there?
Come on, Mr. Henkel, everyone has a
, ” .
past, don't you agree?” The content is
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chapter there!
Victor's brows furrowed slightly at her retort. He had expected her to be all tears
and despair at this point, but here she was, sharp—tongued as ever. Her defiance
only piqued his interest.
more.
“Ms. Jenkins, do you have any idea what the gossip mills are churning out about
you?”
Natalia’s expression stiffened momentarily. She didn’t need to hear it to know it
wasn't flattering. She didn’t want to listen, nor did she care to ask.
Brushing it off, she said, “I don’t want to know, and you needn't bother telling me.
If I cared about that sort of thing, I wouldn’t be by Hamilton's side.”
Victor's laugh was wickedly gleeful. “A bitch. A bitch that's usurping the nest.”
Chapter 25