Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 118

Cecilia was all smiles as she gossiped with me, like we were old pals. Anyone out of the loop would’ve thought we were super chummy, like mentor and mentee or something.

I didn’t bite but shot back with, “Have Mr. Zade and Director Irwin actually met FreeMan in the flesh yet?”

As soon as the words left my mouth, Cecilia’s smile froze, and she awkwardly mumbled, “Not yet, probably got held up or something.

Her voice was so faint: she could tell she wasn’t feeling too sure about it. Sounded more like she was trying to reassure herself.

Seemed like my hunch was right; things weren’t going as smooth for Hogan’s side as I thought. “You seem to have more tricks up your sleeve than I thought. Ms. March.”

A cold voice reached my ears, and when I slightly looked up, I caught Hogan’s eyes, brimming with mockery, briefly glancing between Timothy and me.

The sarcasm was loud and clear. Normally, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought, but Timothy had my back, and he didn’t deserve to be ridiculed by Hogan.

a neutral tone. “Thanks

to know one.”

to Cecilia and asked, “Decided which of those two

softened a

of hesitated, “One’s got soul; the other’s a goldmine.

patient voice,

both.”

mouth, her face a picture of delighted surprise, “Hogan, isn’t that a

wasn’t wrong. Though the price tags weren’t exactly visible, given the vibe and class of the place today, those

ready to splurge like it was nothing. Of course,

then, Timothy by my side suddenly chimed in. “The paintings on the first floor are mostly from commercial artists. I’m afraid they don’t hold much value for collectors. As for the ones upstairs, no offense, but the

docomo

Chapter 118

matter–of–fact tone, like he was some celeb critic, casually doling out his verdict. But his words galled both Hogan and Cecilia, It was