Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 26

Standing next to her, Hogan furrowed his brow upon seeing the situation and seriously said, “Ms. March, Cecilia meant well.”

Meant well, huh?

Yeah, right. The beloved princess giving a beggar a piece of candy in front of the prince – in his eyes, that was a grand gesture of kindness.

Who cares about the beggar’s pride?

I suddenly realized I was being a bit small–minded.

After all, cozying up to investors was part of the job too.

So, I picked up my noodles and said, “Lately, nothing’s been tasting right, just craving this bite.” Cecilia’s face lit up with understanding. “Oh right, the dishes from Aurora Eats are on the bland side.”

Different strokes for different folks, I guess that explanation will do.

The issue was dropped, but eating the cup noodles felt all kinds of wrong.

Before long, I started feeling queasy in my stomach.

A dull pain.

At first, I didn’t think much of it, but soon, the cramping hit me from all sides, making me break

in a

some stomach medicine and, clutching my belly, headed

Man, it hurt.

couldn’t even hold the cup steady.

from my grasp and smashed to

through the pain, I tried to move and felt my legs give out, my whole body uncontrollably

of the glass shards on the floor, I panicked and

pain didn’t come.

and the sharp, brisk smell of soap filled my nostrils, bringing back a flood of

hug was

Chapter 26

real it

I opened my eyes and looked up to

the bright overhead light, his eyes seemed veiled with a layer of

“Can you stand?”

realized I was lying in

as I was about to speak, Cecilia’s sweet voice cut in unexpectedly, “Hogan, what are your two doing?”

the discomfort to break free from Hogan’s embrace, politely saying, “Thanks, Mr. Zade.”

is feeling unwell, she just lost her

explaining to

glanced at me suspiciously and suggested. “Then we should take

voice was light, obviously just a formality.