Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 85

Darren pushed up his glasses and said, “Guys, it’s cool to rib me a bit, but Xaviera’s a bit shy. Can we tone it down a touch?”

The seniors burst out laughing. “Look at you, jumping to her defense already!”

Then someone shifted the spotlight to me, “Xaviera, just a heads–up, Darren is a real piece of work. Keep your eyes peeled, alright?”

They totally got the wrong idea about me and Darren.

In Rivertown, social circles were clear–cut. In the past. I would have gone all serious and set the record straight, but after getting a few knocks from life, you learn to wise up. So in that

moment, faced with their teasing, I just smiled and kept mum.

Why spill your guts when you barely cross paths?

The more you say, the guiltier you look.

The party vibe was pretty chill, but for some reason, standing among these folks, I felt like someone was watching me, on and off.

that gaze, it was like chasing

Just my imagination?

from my clutch snapped me

and saw Hogan’s message right away, [Right side of the hall,

the point, that

why Hogan wanted to see me at this

[Better

wasn’t my investor, I probably wouldn’t bother with him

was the money man, when

the corridor, Hogan stood alone by the floor–to–ceiling window, brows knitted like he

the once–over, and said, “Ms. March, didn’t you promise you wouldn’t attend tonight? What’s with the backpedaling?”

scores, did he?

think there’s been a misunderstanding. I only agreed not

“Getting clever, playing word games with me? What gives you

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Chapter 85

tone was