Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 154

I didn’t expect Hogan to boil down my relationship with Timothy to a matter of whether I was willing to let go or not.

At this point in the conversation, I had no choice but to cut to the chase and say, “I can’t afford to piss off either the Temple family or the Abbott family, and let’s not forget Shirley. If she finds out we’re scheming behind her back, I bet she won’t let it slide so easily.”

“Ha,” came another scoff, “isn’t Ms. March usually all gutsy? Why go chicken now?”

Of course I’d chicken out; I didn’t have a solid backup like Cecilia did. I’d got a company to watch over and family members who counted on me.

All I could do was earnestly plead, “Mr. Zade, can’t we find another way to collaborate?”

“No can do.” Came the definitive reply over the phone, Hogan’s tone all business, “Xaviera, manna doesn’t fall from heaven. You should be grateful I’m even considering your terms. Anyone else wouldn’t get this kind of deal.”

So I was supposed to thank him now? I knew we couldn’t keep at this standoff, so I changed the subject, “Mr. Zade, since you have this proposal, you must have a plan in place, right?”

“From what I know, Mr. Abbott’s quite the ladies‘ man. He’s been busy during his two days in Pinecrest Hollow, never without a beauty by his side, even planning to throw some secret shindig.” Hogan paused, “Your job is to fish out when and where this party’s going down.”

1/3

13:31

Chapter 154

this, I got a rough idea

was in Pinecrest Hollow on a family–arranged date with Shirley, but instead, he’d been living it up with some bombshell. This wouldn’t be a big deal in private, but

But Shirley was no fool; if she ever put two and two together later

our project will keep getting delayed? Rainbow Capital can take the heat, but what

me where it

you give me some time to think?” This was all I could

8:30 now in Willowdale. I’ll give you an hour.” Hogan said arrogantly, as if doing charity, “I won’t be

up.”

cornering me? The more I thought about it, the more it didn’t sit well with me, and I blurted out, “Would you do the same if it were Cecilia in my shoes, Mr.

my mouth, I realized my voice was trembling a bit. Being used by Hogan was a harsh reality I had come to accept, but I

understood that should things go south, I,

Chapter 154