Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 131

Well, I had no choice, did I? Everyone was here for FreeMan, so naturally, I sided with the team that worked in my favor.

As for Hogan, I couldn’t bother with too much about him. And sure enough, after my piece, Shirley was all smiles, “Ms. March, always so understanding: what do you think, Mr. Zade?”

His calm gaze landed on my face without a ripple. After a two–second pause, I heard Hogan say. “Alright, but it gotta stop before we get tipsy.

And so, the drinking began. The vintage wine was top–notch, but starting to drink was easy; stopping, not so much.

Added to that President Stapleton, who could talk your ear off with a bottomless capacity for booze. His toasting was relentless, and after a while, both Zachary and I were struggling to

keep up.

Hogan, though, was sticking to his guns, sipping away quietly.

Shirley caught on to that and scooted her wooden chair closer to Hogan, pouring wine and starting in. “Mr. Zade, you know, when I first saw you, I was totally wowed.”

laying her heart on the line.

how can a guy be this drop–dead gorgeous?”

that, my fork slipped and clattered to the floor. I bent to pick it up without making a fuss, but caught

up. But Hogan? He

much; would

be more

at Hogan and quickly looked away. At times like this, Zachary and I should just blend into the background.

excuse to duck out, Hogan’s voice reached my ears again, “Ms. March, you go ahead and take President Stapleton back

came true. Shirley wanted Hogan, and if I messed this up for her. there

mind, I took a breath and pretended to be drunk, ‘Sorry President Stapleton, I’m

confront it, I’d gotta know how to duck. As I got up, I clearly saw

docomo

Charter 131

minutes. By that time. Hogan must have left the restaurant

didn’t want to, he’d have a hundred ways to turn Shirley down; not like me, I