Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 85
Darren pushed up his glasses and said, “Guys, it's cool to rib me a bit, but
Xaviera’s a bit shy. Can we tone it down a touch?”
The seniors burst out laughing. “Look at you, jumping to her defense already!”
Then someone shifted the spotlight to me, “Xaviera, just a heads-up, Darren is a
real piece of work. Keep your eyes peeled, alright?”
They totally got the wrong idea about me and Darren.
In Rivertown, social circles were clear—cut. In the past. I would have gone all
serious and set the record straight, but after getting a few knocks from life, you
learn to wise up. So in that
moment, faced with their teasing, I just smiled and kept mum.
Why spill your guts when you barely cross paths?
The more you say, the guiltier you look.
The party vibe was pretty chill, but for some reason, standing among these folks,
I felt like someone was watching me, on and off.
But when I tried to catch that gaze, it was like chasing a ghost.
Just my imagination?
The buzz from my clutch snapped me out of it.
I stepped aside and saw Hogan's message right away, [Right side of the hall,
come over.]
Short and to the point, that was his style.
I had no clue why Hogan wanted to see me at this time, so I asked, [What's up?]
His reply came fast, [Better to talk in person.]
To be honest, if Hogan wasn't my investor, I probably wouldn't bother with him
now.
But since he was the money man, when he talked, I gotta listen.
In the corridor, Hogan stood alone by the floor-to—ceiling window, brows knitted
like he was wrestling with some big life question.
Hearing my approach, he turned, gave me the once-over, and said, “Ms. March,
didn’t you promise you wouldn't attend tonight? What's with the backpedaling?”
Came to settle scores, did he?
I replied calmly. “Mr. Zade, I think there's been a misunderstanding. I only agreed
not to compete with Cecilia for a spot at the banquet.”
Hogan snorted, “Getting clever, playing word games with me? What gives you
the nerve, Darren?”
09-57
Chapter 85
His tone was pretty off-putting.
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With all the high and mighty at
tonight's shindig, (aed)
Ene Gah any bad blood

ith Hogan right now. The content is
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I said nicely. “If there's nothing else, Mr. Zade, I'll take my leave.”
Can't fight “em, might as well avoid “em, right?
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“I'm not done talking.” Hogan stopped
me, his inscrutable eyes landing op
my face. After gbriet £idnée Re said.
“Tha dinterhasnt started yet. Ms.
March, find yourself an excuse to
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early.”
Leave early? I'd already shown my face, and now he was casually telling me to
take a hike? On what grounds?
Something inside me felt like it was breaking, making it hard to breathe..
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Caught off guard, I remembered the
look of disappointment in Cegiligis
eyes aqleperee ad Goth a touch of
defibhce, I met Hogan's gaze,
“Because Director Irwin is upset?”
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Hogan seemed taken aback, awkwardly avoiding my eyes, and muttered, “Your
presence makes her somewhat uncomfortable.”