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 looked up at Hogan again,

was sticking up for Cecilia?

saying, “Mr. Zade, you’re giving me

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

11.17

his

seemed displeased

pointing a finger near my face, “You’d better remember what you sald today.”

retreating

so empty all of a

off with Hogan tonight.

wouldn’t affect

mind, I nervously returned home to find a petite figure standing at my doorstep as soon

holding a small gift box, looking at the number

It was Cecilia.

Quite unexpected.

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

Cecilia who heard my footsteps immediately

as always, soft and soothing.

a box of desserts, “I owe

used the

hadn’t expected.

face and didn’t call her out on it,

probably didn’t expect me to be so calm. As she held out the gift box,

in her almond eyes, I just shrugged and said, “The result has been seen by

blame me at

must have caught the drift, as the smile on her face stiffened

investor’s worries. As for pushing the cooperation forward, I do hope Director Irwin would put more thought into it,

blinked, chuckled awkwardly, “Of…

young lady’s reaction, I suddenly felt

next day, Rainbow Capital responded and arranged our reporting work for the

in my heart

the opportunity to rope Cecilia into the reporting work

the report

packing the documents, we all went downstairs together.

garage, my phone suddenly rang disruptively. When I glanced at the caller ID, my heart

call was from

at this time, she wouldn’t call me

wild butterfly. I steadied

hospital quick,” Grace’s frantic voice burst through