Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 172

Under Cecilia’s suggestion, Hogan finally gave in and agreed to head over with me.

But just before we entered, he gave me another heads–up.

I knew he had made a concession, so I geared myself up to be on my A–game.

What took us all by surprise was that Timothy was also there.

Upon seeing us, both Timothy and Sean were visibly taken aback.

Sean, a seasoned player in the business world, paused for a brief two seconds before extending a courteous hand towards Hogan, buttering him up with, “Mr. Zade, what an honor! A VIP visit and not a peep beforehand – I would’ve rolled out the red carpet for you.”

Hogan, cool as a cucumber as always, cut straight to the chase, “Mr. Abbott, you’re too kind. We came especially to see Mr. FreeMan.”

At the mention of FreeMan, Sean’s face stiffened, and he started to stumble over his words, “Mr. Zade, what are you talking about? It’s just me and Timothy here, not FreeMan in sight.”

Hogan didn’t beat around the bush with Sean, simply stating. “Mr. Abbott, this morning Rainbow Capital just inked a deal with Lucky Star.”

The subtext was clear – Hogan had dug up Sean’s lodging records at Lucky Star like an open book.

Sean, no fool himself, let out a weary sigh and said with a flattering tone. “You’re on the ball, Mr. Zade. Come, come, let’s sit and talk.”

He bowed ever so slightly, showing a decent dose of humility:

We were then ushered into the living room.

his element, his hand trembling slightly as he passed Hogan a glass of

remained aloof and composed, but his brow furrowed ever so slightly when his gaze swept past Timothy.

Or I should call you FreeMan,” he said, exuding an air of authority. “I believe it’s best for unrelated parties to step

Chapter 172

sugar–coated, and anyone with half a brain could

scratching his nose, said, “Don’t take offense, Mr. Zade. Timothy and I go way back – thick as thieves since we were kids. Plus,

professionally, he’s not an outsider.”

respond but shot Cecilia a look.

the hint and handed over a document to Sean with a sweet, cooing

drafted.”

lie to you, Mr. Zade. It’s been a busy year, and I’m afraid I might let you

An outright rejection.

Abbott. Take a gander at the contract. I’m sure you’ll be pleased once

“Oh? Care to enlighten me, Ms. Irwin?”

guard, Cecilia froze for a good few seconds before stuttering out, “In a nutshell, the two conditions we’ve proposed are something no other company can

match.”

No other company,

mulled over that bold statement, a shadow of unease

rarely hold water in the world

a smirk,

of compensation, Mr. Zade recognizes your talent and ability and is willing to offer

enticing

mortals, including Cecilia, but for someone like FreeMan, as far as I knew Sean, that kind

“And the second?”

with us, you’ll have complete creative control over the