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.

my breath to normal. And when I looked up at Hogan again, he was still all

he was sticking up for

saying, “Mr. Zade, you’re giving me too much credit.

my mouth, his facial muscles twitched, his

11.17

his

Hogan seemed displeased with this response.

he raised his arm, pointing a finger near

retreating figure, finally allowing myself to

I feel so empty all of a sudden?

with Hogan

it wouldn’t affect our cooperation.

a petite figure standing at my doorstep as soon as

box,

It was Cecilia.

Quite unexpected.

know better; we’re not exactly on

to speak, Cecilia who heard my footsteps immediately turned around

always, soft

thank you,” Cecilia said with a flat tone, handing me a box of desserts, “I

used the term ‘help‘.

I hadn’t

looked at her sweet, soft face and didn’t call her out on it, just

held out the gift box, she asked hesitantly, “You don’t feel wronged,

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

me at

must have caught the drift, as the

investor’s worries. As for pushing the cooperation forward, I do hope Director

chuckled awkwardly, “Of… of

reaction, I suddenly felt less suffocated.

and arranged our reporting

my heart lightened a bit.

to rope Cecilia

the report came fast.

packing the documents, we

disruptively. When I glanced at the caller ID, my heart

was from Grace.

she

wild butterfly. I steadied myself

quick,” Grace’s frantic voice burst through the