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.

gaze, it was like chasing

Just my imagination?

clutch snapped me out of it.

stepped aside and saw Hogan’s message right away, [Right side of the hall, come over.]

to the point,

no clue why Hogan wanted to see me

fast, [Better

my investor, I probably wouldn’t bother with

he was the money man,

window, brows knitted like he was wrestling with

approach, he turned, gave me the once–over, and said, “Ms. March,

to settle scores, did he?

I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I only agreed not to compete with Cecilia for

with

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Chapter 85

was pretty off–putting.