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.”

her heart on the line.

a guy be this drop–dead gorgeous?” Shirley leaned in

bent to pick it up without making a fuss, but caught a glimpse of Shirley, swinging her long legs, rubbing

Hogan? He remained as detached and unruffled as ever.

a bit too much; would you mind walking me back

be more

and quickly looked away. At times like this, Zachary and

out, Hogan’s voice reached my ears again, “Ms. March, you go ahead and take

if I messed this

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

As I got up, I clearly saw a flash of

docomo

Charter 131

restroom for a good twenty minutes. By that time. Hogan must have left

a hundred ways to turn Shirley down;