Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 160

So, I spilled the beans about my spat with Hogan to Wallis.

Honestly, I was pretty chill about how things have panned out, but one thing’d still got me on pins and needles.

Hogan was a smart cookie, and like he said, he’d got a zillion ways. to snag the deets on the party.

But once he dug up the dirt, was he gonna sniff out where

FreeMan’s at too?

After I filled her in, Wallis went into think mode. “The shindig’s at seven tomorrow night. I’ve been lurking in FreeMan’s fan group like there’s no tomorrow, totally blending in with the super fans. If all goes well, FreeMan’s gonna spill the beans on his travels tomorrow. We’ll follow the breadcrumbs and give it our all.”

Wallis‘ pep talk gave me a bit of peace of mind.

The next afternoon, Timothy showed up on cue at the hotel to whisk me away to the tailor.

He rolled up in a classic old–timer, decked out in a retro tunic suit, looking every bit the distinguished gent.

along the twisty mountain roads, taking a scenic detour before pulling up to a quaint courtyard.

super polite waiter came up to greet us. Timothy nonchalantly flicked the car keys his way and asked,

replied

Chapter 160

others are waiting in the main

and shot me a look before leading me

carvings and paintings, the whole yard a picture–perfect slice of

women’s voices sweet and men’s laid–back. Even before laying eyes on them, I could

as Timothy and I stepped into the main hall, we saw a

group

out in dapper suits, while the ladies were stunning in their own ways, like straight out of old–time

that Mr. Temple? And who’s this

me up, not

it, will ya?” Timothy shot back with a serious glare, then introduced me to the crowd, “This is Xaviera, the

the previous brazen stares turned respectful, and someone

swarmed around me, ushering me to the center

senior, after all. They’re