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 officeidors all afternoon were enough to chill her bones. It was ufortable, to say the least.


    Hamilton paused mid-stride, arching an eyebrow at her.


    “Giselle’s getting the boot.” He promised.


    ugh 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 rtionship 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 rtionship.


    Just perfect.


    By the next morning, word of Giselle’s dismissal spread through thepany like wildfire. The tongues that had wagged about


    Natalia nowy still.


    Yet some things, once rooted in the heart, were hard to uproot. Especially for this kind of scious rumor


    Natalia knew that all too well. Though the chatter had ceased, she could still feel the weight of weird nces 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, | 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?”


    Tess’s face fell instantly. “True. And | 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.


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


    posted yet be a rubines when he needs for teen couldn’t help but shaver nasin


    batata towered her gase Her eile Inded as she contemted the turn of the fast event.


    Handion always maintained a gentlemanly demeanor at work, yet she wouldn’t have ques and he''d physically confront Orpheus.


    Of course, the alen know that Hamiliars gentility was just a facade.


    To an outsider, he was the epitome of courtesy and grace. But those who knew him understood his ruthlessness.


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


    to Hamilton as a child. Back then, he was a tearful yet untainted soul.


    What could have hardened such a sweet boy into the man he was now? It was a puzzle beyond her solving


    With a sigh, she pulled herself from these thoughts, choosing not to dwell on them. After all, that man no longer belonged to her.


    She picked up the reports from her desk and headed to the CEO’s office.


    After knocking and entering, she ced the documents in front of Harnilton, “Mr. Fowler, | need your signature on these two


    reports.”


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


    your arm feeling?”


    Natalia offered a polite, detached smile, “Much better.”


    “And your health?” he probed further.


    She paused for a moment and continued, “Fine as well.”


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


    “Will do.” She hesitated before asking, “Anything else, Mr. Fowler?”


    He watched her for a moment in silence. “Are you in such a hurry?” he asked.


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


    Hamilton’s eyes narrowed slightly before he finally asked, “The ss reunion is this weekend, right?”


    She was surprised he remembered.


    “Yes,” she said. Then, after a moment, she added, “If you’re busy, Mr. Fowler, you don’t have to


    come.”


    When he first offered to apany her to the reunion, she had felt a flicker of anticipation.


    But after what happened that night, all excitement had drained away. What was the point of bringing him as her boyfriend? After


    all, that was all just a facade.


    Hamilton’s gaze lingered on her, which was inscrutable. And he finally said, “Since | promised you, | intend to keep my word.”


    Nataliaughed softly and looked at Hamilton, “Are you worried I''ll meet someone at the reunion? Don’t worry. He won''t be


    there.”


    Hamilton''s eyes tightened, “Do | really need a solid reason to go? Or do you have something to hide, something you fear that |


    might see?”


    “No!” Natalia replied with a touch of exasperated feeling.


    Hamilton snorted, “Then stop trying to convince me otherwise. It’s perfectly normal to bring a boyfriend to a ss reunion, right,


    my girlfriend?”


    Natalia’s smile strained at the corners as a pang of sadness gripped her heart. She had never imagined that one day, these


    terms of endearment would be thest thing she wanted to hear. Words that once symbolized sweetness now tasted bitter.


    Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile, “Alright. Then, Mr. Fowler, please be sure toe


    on time.”


    Hamilton nodded, “I''ll have my secretary prepare an outfit for you. You may go now.”


    Natalia picked up the documents and left the office.


    In the following days, Natalia saw neither hide nor hair of Hamilton.


    Linda mentioned he was away on a business trip, and Natalia didn’t pry.


    It wasn’t until the eve of the reunion that she got a call from Scarlett, “Natalie, Hamilton’s definitely your plus—one for the event,


    right?”


    By now, Natalia was starting to doubt whether Hamilton would show up at all. After all, he had been imunicado since he left


    on his trip.


    Still, she managed a tentative, “I guess so. Why?”


    Scarlett was practically buzzing with glee, “No biggie. | just thought, you know, that douchbag Hamilton might have his uses. |


    heard Eveleen’s cousin Giselle will be there too. She used to give you a hard time, remember?”


    Natalia’s forehead creased with a frown, “Why the heck would Giselle being?”


    Giselle, although an alumna of their school, was a year junior and had no business attending


    their ss reunion.


    Scarlett felt helpless, “Word is she’s dating our ss monitor. Can you believe it? Such a stand-up guy is fallen for someone like


    Giselle.”


    15:45


    Natalia’s lips tightened into a thin line. Still, she said nothing more. The ss monitor’s girlfriend or not she had no say in


    whether Giselle attended.


    But it did put a damper on her mood. It wasn’t that she was afraid of Giselle; she just had zero desire to mingle with her at such


    an event


    “With Hamilton at your side, who cares about Giselle or Eveleen? We''ll show them up, one by one.” Scarlett was still chattering


    away.


    Natalia, however, was far from optimistic. Whether Hamilton could make it back in time was one thing. Even if he did, there was


    no guarantee he’d have her back against Giselle.


    Nheless, Natalia dialed his number.


    Hamilton picked up quickly, “Ms. Jenkins, what can | do for you?”


    Natalia bit her lip, “Mr. Fowler, when will you be back?”Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Hamilton’s voice warmed with amusement, “Why, Ms. Jenkins, are you missing me?”