Under the Veil I Rule

Chapter 388

After Elysia told Amara about it, Amara didn't react with her usual curiosity or eagerness to dissect the latest gossip. Instead, her eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious? Hogan, interested in me? What a joke!"

She could hardly imagine it. Hogan made no secret of his disdain for her; she was pretty sure he spent more time plotting her demise than thinking anything remotely affectionate. The idea he might actually like her was laughable.

Elysia, however, had a different take. "Come on, you're gorgeous. It's not impossible for Hogan to have a crush on you. But honestly, I'd sooner trust Finnian than him. You should steer clear."

Amara didn't need Elysia to tell her that she didn't believe Hogan liked her, not for a second. What really piqued her curiosity was who started the rumor and what they hoped to achieve.

That evening, Hogan texted and asked to meet at a coffee shop. Amara, still wondering what he was up to, decided to go.

Just as she'd expected, the moment they sat down Hogan cut to the chase. "Have you heard the rumor going around about us?"

He was dressed casually in a blazer, but heavy shadows ringed his eyes-he clearly hadn't slept well. Was it the gossip that kept him up?

pulled her gaze away, her

kept her expression calm, as if the whole thing barely interested her. Hogan studied her for a moment, something odd flickering across his face. "What do you think about

reason. My guess? They want to stir up trouble, maybe drive a wedge somewhere. Hard to say the

if the idea of her having feelings for him was utterly irrelevant. For some reason, that bothered Hogan more than he cared to admit. He pressed, "So you

puzzled look. "What else would

had always made it clear he

probably be furious not asking weird.

his logic at

that strange discomfort only grow. He

together, saying

"What's going on here?"

cold voice cut through the tension. Both Amara and Hogan turned to see Finnian striding toward them, stopping at their table with a dark, glowering stare. Amara blinked, surprised to see him. "It's nothing. Did you

a moment before sliding to Hogan. He didn't answer, just