Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 147

A wave of shame like I’d never felt before was gnawing at my chest. I pinched the palm of my hand hard, forcing myself to chill out, “Mr. Zade, are you looking to make a deal with me?”

I didn’t realize until I spoke that my voice was shaking.

“If so,” I took a deep breath, trying to sound more casual, “I’ve got a

better idea.”

I met Hogan’s gaze head–on and said it straight. After all, I’d got nothing to lose at this point.

But Hogan looked at me like I’d just said something out of this world, silently staring.

This time I didn’t back down but smiled and said, “Mr. Zade, you’ve been through hell and back dealing with President Stapleton just to find FreeMan in the guest list, right? I’m down to be your human shield, and I’m cool with you handing the credit over to Cecilia, but I’ve got one condition.”

I paused, and then added, “We team up, and once we get a hold of FreeMan himself, I get some one–on–one time with him.”

If the competition’s outcome was already written in stone, I might as well play my cards right and secure FreeMan’s backing for future collaborations.

breath, but the guy in front of me suddenly

just

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for him to break the silence.

I heard him say, word by word, “So, you want to make a deal

glanced at Hogan with the corner of my eye, he was cracking

cool. But what was he

use me as your shield to deal with President Stapleton and smoothly fulfill Director Irwin’s wishes. Isn’t that

with one stone?”

than Hogan shot up so abruptly that it caught me

face had lost any trace of warmth, replaced by his usual coldness and sarcasm.

you’re something, don’t

not giving me a chance to say another word. It wasn’t until the door slammed shut that

was toL

all, his efforts