Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 44

Hogan rolled in with Zachary.

Honestly, the moment those trust fund brats started trash–talking Hogan, I had this bad feeling creeping up on me.

The Rivertown circle was small, and since they were both in the investment game, bumping into each other was common.

But of course, today of all days, it had to happen.

Right when I was bad–mouthing him, no less.

I was a tad embarrassed, but then I remembered discussing the whole bringing in new investors thing with Hogan, so I quickly got my act together.

But that composure cracked a bit when Hogan came over with a drink and planted himself next

to me.

That perfect not–too–close–yet–not–too–far distance, his expression unreadable, showing zero emotion except for that sharp, soapy scent of his that was practically barging into my nostrils.

Feeling uneasy, I clutched my glass tighter and threw Wallis a look for backup.

Hogan slowly parted his lips, “Ms. March, do tell, how exactly am I not doing my job?”

His voice was deep, steady, and sounded pretty chill.

But there was a hint of mockery in those eyes of his as he looked at me.

With his status, once he spoke up, the others zipped it.

They sure knew how to read the room.

In a flash, the whole buzzing atmosphere got smothered by this heavy tension.

All eyes on me, the pressure was cranked up my way.

I figured Hogan was out to make me squirm.

I pinched my palm and confessed, “Mr. Zade, if I had to point out a flaw, it’s probably that you are a bit too stingy.”

At that, Hogan’s brows did a little dance.

And the faces around were holding back grins, waiting to see his reaction.

The man swirled his wine glass and asked, “Think the money is not enough?”

couldn’t just blurt out in front of everyone that Hogan threw us a cool five

megaphone that Hogan

Chapter 44

in

trash–talking Hogan, I had this bad feeling creeping up on

since they were both in the investment

course, today of all

bad–mouthing him, no less.

whole bringing in new investors thing with Hogan,

came over with a drink and planted himself next to

for that sharp, soapy scent of

and threw Wallis

March, do tell, how exactly am I not coing my job?”

voice was deep, steady,

mockery in those

status, once he spoke up, the others

to

the whole buzzing atmosphere got smothered by this heavy

the pressure

was out to make me

Zade, if I had to point out a flaw, it’s probably that

that, Hogan’s brows did

back

and asked, “Think the

out in front of everyone that Hogan threw us a cool five hundred thousand for

through a megaphone that Hogan

by beauty.

the blunder, “Yeah, when Mr. Bishop makes a

paused, and he

“Xaviera, I can’t agree with that. Mr. Zade invested the five hundred thousand when we were out of options. It was like sending charcoal in

but more meaningful.”

raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Zade, not gonna

took a sip and said slowly,

burst out laughing.

criteria‘ must

I’m not mistaken, Mr. Zade, both you and Ms. March are graduates of N University?”

and replied. “Not close.”

could feel the

history, wasn’t that his favorite