Echoes of Unrequited Love ( Hogan Zade )

Chapter 50 

After Cecilia left with her poker face intact, Wallis grabbed me and vented, “Do I have this weird feeling of being challenged by a subordinate?” 

I consoled her. “It’s all good.” 

A couple of days ago, Wallis had a go at Cecilia in front of Hogan. Cecilia must’ve taken it to heart. 

Puffed up with vanity. 

Wallis sighed and said, “Being the apple of the investor’s eye really does make a difference, huh?” 

“Jealous much?” 

Wallis shook her head, snorted dismissively. “Honey, when I was the center of attention back in the day. I saw it all.” 

She cut off abruptly, probably hit by some unpleasant memory. 

I was a bit worried and asked a bold question, “If your ex–husband, that jerk, came back to the country to look for you, would you forgive him?” 

“Hah,” Wallis scoffed, “What’s the matter, not enough obedient pretty boys at the club, or not enough eye candy fawning over me?” 

Tough cookie. 

I didn’t call her out on it. 

The next day we hopped into a rented seven–seater van and headed for the legendary Honto Abbey. 

Getting there, I started to get why everyone was fussing over Cecilia. 

Standing in the middle of a 70-80 acre exotic–style estate, I almost thought I’d stepped into a fairy tale. 

Every blade of grass, every door and window, screamed luxury and precision. 

Not to mention the exquisite carpet underfoot and the massive crystal chandelier overhead. 

Designs and patterns you’d never see in the stores, truly one of a kind. 

The waiter, all polite and courteous, said, “Mr. Zade has arranged accommodations for everyone, please follow me.” 

They were even fighting to carry our suitcases. 

Wallis, curious, asked, “Has Mr. Zade arrived yet?” 

“Yes, Mr. Zade is currently resting with his partner, said the event will start in the afternoon.” 

12:22 

The activities at the estate were divided into three parts: a bike ride around the lake, a party at night, and organic picking the next day. 

Hogan, for Cecilia’s sake, had even postponed the bike ride. 

Looking around the ornate hall, I suddenly felt a bit off. 

Inappropriately, my mind drifted to my first trip with Hogan, not long after he’d taken the initiative to hold my hand. 

I’d suggested the trip and Hogan had agreed. 

Eager to please him, I secretly coded for an off–campus company, researched travel guides, booked hotels, and after all that effort. Hogan changed his mind at the last minute, opting out. 

He said it was a waste of time. 

The hotel wouldn’t refund the booking, and there went hundreds of bucks down the drain. 

Money I’d earned from coding non–stop for half a month. 

Back then, I naively thought Hogan was a big–shot, disciplined and restrained. 

The hidden wound in my heart felt like it had been unexpectedly splashed with acid, festering in an instant. 

Only now do I understand, Hogan wasn’t lying; it’s just that I wasn’t the one he thought worth spending time on. 

In the afternoon, we all gathered for the lake bike ride. 

The first to finish would get a fancy reward that evening. 

Wallis and I were itching to go, but then we heard Cecilia say, “I can’t make it around the lake. maybe I’ll just wait here for you guys. 

The server, ever so considerate, said, “We also have tandem bikes here, it’s more efficient for two people to ride together.” 

Cecilia batted her big eyes at Hogan, who paused before saying. “Okay.” 

So, among the group of cyclists, there was one conspicuous tandem bike. 

The weather was on our side, bright and sunny, and we all tacitly pedaled along, not disturbing the couple behind us.. 

Midway through the ride, I started to flag, seeing Wallis waving at me from a bend in the road. I bit the bullet and pushed myself to keep up, only to look up and realize there was a downhill ahead. 

I didn’t react in time, and after a silent curse, I took a nasty fall. 

Pain covered me from head to toe, and I clenched my teeth to bear it, but deep down I was terrified. 

Chapter 50 

I thought, if I died here, what would happen to my aunt and uncle? 

At that moment, my world turned upside down, and tears streamed down like pearls off a string. 

“Xaviera, don’t be afraid, I’ll call someone!” 

Wallis shouted, panicked. 

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to rally, and suddenly felt a tight squeeze around my waist, and my body was lifted into the air.