Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 169

Chapter 169 That silhouette seemed kinda familiar on second glance.

Broad shoulders, slim waist, an inverted triangle of a figure — and | could just about make out the solid muscle lines hiding under his suit.

It looked like Hogan.

But why would Hogan be here at this time? Shouldn’t he be in some fancy thatched-—roof suite, sweet-talking Cecilia? “Hogan?”

As soon as the words left my mouth, | realized I'd been too forward, and quickly corrected myself, “Mr. Zade?”

At the sound of my voice, the man slowly turned around, gave me a look, and said in a tone neither warm nor cold, “Decided to show up, did you?”

| had no idea where his “decided to” was coming from, but something told me it wasn’t meant as a compliment. All | could muster was a polite, “Did you need something from me, Mr. Zade?”

Ascoff landed in my ear as Hogan glanced my way and said, “Seems like tonight's loss hasn’t taught you anything.”

Thinking about tonight's fiasco got my blood boiling, but considering Hogan did me a solid, | could only reply, “I'll remember your kindness, Mr. Zade.”

With that, | went to get some water.

“That’s it?” Hogan suddenly raised his voice, sounding dissatisfied. “Tell me, how exactly do you plan to ‘remember my kindness‘?”

His question caught me off guard.

To be honest, | wasn’t sure if tonight’s setup had anything to do with Hogan.

Feeling awkward, | just handed him the water, asking, “Would you like some water, Mr. Zade?” Hogan, with a stone—cold face, pinched the bridge of his nose and said succinctly, “Headache.” He spoke softly, a stark contrast to his earlier confrontational demeanor.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I saw his face, weary. Just then, Hogan suddenly

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lifted his eyelids, our gazes collided, and he sald, “Come over and give me a rub.”

It was a line | knew all too well.

Like two years ago, when we were living together, he’d come home worn out from meeting clients, and I’d pull him to sit on the couch, gently massaging his temples.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

But now, what gave him the right? “What are you still standing there for?” he asked from the edge of the bed, eyes nearly closed, in a deep, assertive voice. | took a deep breath and said, “Sorry, Mr. Zade, | appreciate you stepping in for me tonight, but this isn’t right.”

With a slight lift of his cold gaze, he sneered, “What's not right about it? Worried Timothy won’t like it? Xaviera, seems like you still don’t see who’s really got your back when push comes to shove.”

There was sheer disdain in Hogan’s eyes as he spoke.

When | didn’t respond, he added. “Haven't you grasped the gist of tonight's events? If

| hadn't stepped in, that Temple family kid would've been good for nothing but throwing a few punches.” Hogan’s arrogance was on full display.

And he was right, whether or not he had anything to do with it, the deal between Rainbow Capital and my lucky stars, Hogan came out on top.

Sean, who was all about saving face, wouldn’t be caught dead sucking up to Shirley. The biggest winner was Hogan, no doubt. And me? | was just a pawn in their game.

Thinking this, my heart soured a bit. Remembering Cecilia's evasive and dodging gaze, | said irritably, “So, Mr. Zade, are you trying to boast about being the biggest beneficiary of tonight's drama?”

| really didn’t get what he had to be proud of.

“Xaviera March,” Hogan frowned, his gaze fixed on me as if it were welded there, suddenly using my full name, “who’s the biggest beneficiary? You know better than | do, don’t you?”