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

Just my imagination?

snapped

right away,

and to the point,

clue why Hogan wanted to see me

reply came fast, [Better to talk in person.]

investor, I probably wouldn’t bother with him

since he was the money man, when he talked,

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

my approach, he turned, gave me the once–over, and said, “Ms. March, didn’t you promise you wouldn’t attend tonight? What’s with the

settle scores, did

Zade, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I only

word games with me? What gives you the nerve,

09-57

Chapter 85

was