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.

bit out of his element, his hand trembling slightly as he passed

and composed, but his brow furrowed ever so slightly when his gaze swept

you, Mr. Abbott, about a potential collaboration. Or I should call you FreeMan,” he

Chapter 172

anyone with half a brain could tell he was hinting

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

not

didn’t respond but shot Cecilia

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

drafted.”

and sighed, “I won’t lie to you, Mr. Zade. It’s been a busy year, and I’m afraid I might let you down.”

An outright rejection.

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

raised an eyebrow, intrigued, “Oh? Care

off guard, Cecilia froze for a good few seconds before stuttering out, “In a nutshell, the two conditions we’ve proposed are

match.”

No other company,

I mulled over that bold statement, a

water in the world

lips curled into a smirk, “Which

interest, confidently beamed, “First, in terms of compensation, Mr. Zade recognizes your talent and ability and

enticing

a big draw for us mere mortals, including Cecilia, but for someone like FreeMan, as far as I knew Sean,

“And the second?”

you’ll have complete creative control over the