Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 86

Hogan’s response just confirmed my hunch.

I’d seen his soft spot for Cecilia first thing in the morning, but hearing him say it out loud still hit me right in the feels.

Just because Cecilia felt a tad uncomfortable, I had to bow out early?

That was just plain unreasonable.

Under normal circumstances, I’d be down to give the investors some face, but today was a different story. Scoring an invite to this shindig was a battle and a half for Darren, and if I bail now, it’d be super shady.

I steadied myself and said, “Sorry Mr. Zade, I can’t do that.”

Hogan’s brow knitted into a knot at my words, and his tone was anything but friendly. “You do realize I’m not asking for your opinion.”

It seemed that he’s dead set on showing me the door.

I curled my fingers and laid it on the line, “Mr. Zade, if I were here as a rep for the company tonight, I’d gladly play nice. But I’m here as Professor Yearwood’s plus one. You get that, right?”

After all, he was the investor, and I couldn’t have us both losing face.

But the moment I finished talking, Hogan let out a snort, “Using Darren to strong–arm me? Ms. March, have you forgotten where you stand?”

was at

to stir up any bad

you want? More

I kept mum, probably thinking I was playing coy, to squeeze more

thanks,” I said, cutting to the chase.

me, sneering, “Is this bash that important

‘brown–nose‘, along with that mocking smirk, planted me firmly

I made his precious Cecilia a tiny bit ‘uncomfortable‘.

I forced a smile and said coolly, “The party’s about to start, Mr. Zade.

Chapter 86

I turned to leave but then Hogan’s voice followed,

feeling like my feet were cast in

words reeked of

without turning back, I said,

be accommodating, but there’s a

I got back to the banquet hall, Darren was looking

look a bit off, what’s up?”

my throbbing temples and came up with an excuse, “Probably

with the toasts. And if all else fails, I’ve got your back, right?”