Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 219

“Something’s up?” Cecilia a guide to winning Hilary’s favor was a private deal between us. Surprisingly, Hogan had gotten wind of it.

Ironically, in this guide, when it came to the section about food, I had emphasized repeatedly that Hilary hated white pepper.

I figured if Hogan had even skimmed through the guide, he’d see right through some of my thoughts.

However, my act of deliberately “confessing” had backfired, and I had slapped my own face.

I felt a tightness in my chest but managed to keep my cool, sneaking a glance at the guy a couple of steps away, without jumping in with a response.

When I think about it, that mother–daughter–in–law handbook was a good five or six pages long, with

F

nitty–gritty details on Hilary’s do’s and don’ts, from eating to dressing to living. As the President of Rainbow Capital, he probably didn’t have the leisure to read it from beginning to end.

Maybe I was overthinking it.

Upon sorting it out, I felt somewhat steadier and said in a calm and collected tone, “Since Director Irwin joined, she’s done a lot for the company. Helping her means relieving your worries, doesn’t it, Mr. Zade?”

“Then keep relieving my worries,” The man’s voice became inexplicably more rigid, and colder, “Why are you playing both sides today?”

Upon hearing those words, ‘playing both sides‘, I instantly got the hint–Hogan was convinced I’d done the white pepper thing on purpose.

“I’ve got a question too,” I said, with a light smile and a soft voice, “Mr. Zade, why do you think I would do such a thing? What good does angering an investor’s mother do for me?”

At that, Hogan’s brows furrowed, and he took a step closer, giving me a hard stare, saying in a low voice, “Yeah, what’s in it for you, Ms. March? Don’t tell me you’re eyeing Mrs. Zade’s spot?”

Teasing intermixed with ridicule, Hogan’s tone was harsh, and those piercing eyes were inscrutable.

It made my heart flutter.

“Mr. Zade, you really have a knack for humor,” I dodged his gaze, trying to keep my tone as natural as possible, “If Director Irwin heard that, it could stir up some trouble.”

Before I could finish, he suddenly stepped even closer. Alerted, I took two steps back, finding myself pressed against the car door.

And Hogan was right before me.

ོ ཥ ༤ ཻ࿄ ཝཿཆོ ༈ དྷནྡེ ༈ རྗེནྣཾ ཎྜ ⪜ཧྨ ༢ ༈

Under the dim light, his tobacco–scented breath filled the air, and he looked down at me, none too pleased, “What Ms. March wants, hasn’t she always used any means necessary to fight for it?”

His oppression made me feel uncomfortable.

only then I adjusted my breath to normal. And when I

sticking up for

giving me too much credit. Someone like you is way out of

the words left my mouth, his facial muscles twitched, his pupils dilated, a mix of surprise

11.17

crossed his

I misinterpreted? Hogan seemed displeased with this

he raised his arm, pointing a finger near my

retreating

I feel so empty all of

was off with

it wouldn’t affect our cooperation.

doubt in mind, I nervously returned home to find a petite figure standing

holding a small gift box, looking at the number on my

It was Cecilia.

Quite unexpected.

know better; we’re not exactly on house–calling

to speak, Cecilia who heard my footsteps immediately turned around and said

voice was as always, soft and soothing.

flat tone, handing me a box of desserts, “I owe you one for helping me

used the term ‘help‘.

hadn’t expected.

sweet, soft face and didn’t call her out on it, just softly said, “You flatter me, Director Irwin. It was nothing, really.”

to be so calm. As she held out the gift box, she asked hesitantly, “You don’t feel wronged,

almond eyes, I just shrugged and said, “The result

me

the smile on her face stiffened a bit.

for pushing the cooperation forward, I do hope Director Irwin would put more thought into

awkwardly, “Of… of

young lady’s reaction, I suddenly felt

Capital responded and arranged our reporting

in my heart

took the opportunity to rope Cecilia into the

of the report

documents, we all went

garage, my phone suddenly rang disruptively. When

was from

this time, she wouldn’t call

was harboring a wild

come to the county hospital quick,” Grace’s frantic voice burst through the speaker, “Nydia’s sick