Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 25

In the office, Hogan sitting across from me cut to the chase, “Isn’t this a bit much?”

His voice was steady, but his condescending attitude was like an invisible hand, squeezing my heart tightly.

I thought, how desperate was he to rush over from Rainbow Capital just to take Cecilia’s side?

And he showed up in person, no less.

I took a breath and said flatly, “Please enlighten me, Mr. Zade.”

Hogan glanced at me and said seriously, “It’s just a minor mistake. A good team should be one that allows its members to make mistakes, and besides, she hasn’t even graduated yet.”

A minor mistake.

I managed a forced smile, realizing that our hard work over the past month was nothing more than a ‘minor mistake‘ in Hogan’s eyes.

Suddenly, I remembered the time I brown–nosed Hogan by offering to do his laundry, only to shrink his sweater because I didn’t pay attention to the fabric, and he gave me the silent

treatment for a whole week.

Seeing that I remained silent, Hogan spoke up again, “I’ll sign her up for a course, and you, you need to be more patient with her.”

wanting to say something, but my throat felt glued shut, and I couldn’t utter a word. I had been sucking up to him for six years, now questioned

“Any issues?”

and replied with indifference, “Mr. Zade, your thoughtfulness is beyond

he said, his gaze fixed on my face, Hogan pressed on, “Ms.

the bench, who had already sentenced us but was absurdly asking

hard–won investment money, I met Hogan’s gaze

scoff, he got up

him to the elevator like a

rushed to lean against the wall, gasping for air, my mouth bitter as if I’d swallowed bile.

Chapter 25

after, a message from Cecilia popped up on my phone. [Xaviera, I’ll work hard, I won’t let you

the chat and continued to code.

Cecilia was studious and even stayed late at work, which was

at the power of

growled, so I picked up the cup noodles from my. and headed to

desk

noise at the door. I looked up, thinking my

standing at the door, holding a fancy meal

bore the logo

to the cup

met, and I heard him ask, “Where’s Cecilia?”