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?”

aggressive Hogan, I was at a loss for

any bad blood between

what do you

I was playing coy, to squeeze more

thanks,” I said, cutting to

bash that important to you, Ms. March? What, you’re that eager to brown–nose

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

because I made his precious

and said coolly, “The party’s about to start, Mr. Zade.

Chapter 86

line, I turned to leave but then Hogan’s voice followed, “Ms. March, are you

stopped dead in my tracks, feeling like my feet

words reeked of

up, and without turning back, I

but there’s a

to the banquet

bit off,

throbbing temples and came up with

the toasts. And if all