Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 171

| stumbled and it took me a few seconds to regain my composure. When my gaze landed on Hogan’s face, | heard him say, “Ms. March, you are getting quite the hang of doing business, aren’t you?”

| didn’t want to, but what choice did | have? | had to brazen it out and say, “You flatter me, Mr. Zade.”

“You've had your share of struggles, and I’ve stepped in to bail you out,” Hogan suddenly cut me off, “Xaviera, what makes you think you’re in a position to call the shots with me?”

His words left me speechless. Looking up again, Hogan had already picked up his phone and was heading towards the door, in and out like a flash.

Achill spread through me as | stared at the slightly ajar window, watching the bare branches sway left and right, teased by the mountain wind.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

It seemed that | was in for another sleepless night.

After a night's rest, my thoughts were a bit clearer.

It turned out that Hogan had already rejected my terms.

If my hunch was right and Sean was FreeMan, | couldn’t just sit around like a sitting duck.

The guest list was a crucial lead, and luckily, with so many clients, it would take Hogan some time to pinpoint Sean’s identity. Meanwhile, | could persuade Sean before Hogan figures it out:

With that thought, | perked up and quickly located Sean’s suite using the information | had.

What | absolutely didn’t expect was to bump into Hogan and company at the door, gift box in hand.

To be precise, it was Hogan, Cecilia, and Zachary.

All three were dressed for business, with Zachary even holding a briefcase, their purpose couldn’t be more obvious. Seeing me, Cecilia was also taken aback, “Xaviera, what are you doing here?”

11:02

| didn’t expect Hogan to work so fast and wasn’t about to play coy, so | said frankly, “I’m here to visit FreeMan.”

If we were all here at the same time to see Sean, that made us even, right?

My response took all three of them by surprise, especially Cecilia, whose apricot eyes were full of panic, “Look, Hogan, Xaviera’s intel is even better than ours, huh?”

Her backhanded compliment sounded pretty uncomfortable. | brushed it off, glanced at Hogan, and suggested, “Mr. Zade, since we’ve bumped into each other, why not go together?”

It didn’t make sense to split up into two groups to see Sean at a time like this.

This playboy might seem carefree, but he was sharp as a tack in business. My fear was that he’d already gotten the inside scoop on our project and wouldn't be easy to convince. That was why a win-win was the best way forward.

But Hogan apparently didn’t see it that way. He gave me a cursory glance and said, “Ms. March, you seem to have forgotten how you snooped around FreeMan’s gallery last time trying to dig up his identity. Planning on stirring up more trouble this time?“— Suddenly, | was choked up again.

If Sean was FreeMan, then he must had seen through all my little schemes. My bad.

As | was mentally kicking myself, | heard Cecilia chime in, “It's okay, Hogan. Xaviera is also looking out for the project. Besides, she has a closer relationship with Mr. Abbott; maybe she can persuade Mr. Abbott to partner with us, right Xaviera?”

When | looked at the girl's faint dimples, the pressure mounted on me.

If the negotiations failed, how was | going to face the music?