Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 79

She called Cecilia and me into the office and made things crystal clear.
“Director Irwin, it's a bummer we can't hit up the party together this time, but don’t
sweat it.

there'll be plenty more shindigs in the future we can crash,” I reassured her.
Cecilia's eyelids drooped as she murmured, “I'll roll with whatever Wallis says.
After dropping that, she ducked out of the office, her face a billboard for
disappointment.

I thought, if Hogan caught a glimpse of that, he'd probably be all torn up inside.
Wallis saw it too and, with a ton on her mind, muttered, “This ain't over yet.”

I looked at her, and when our eyes met, she added, “Cecilia brought it up in the
work chat, remember? Hogan's in that chat too.”

I got Wallis’s drift; she figured Cecilia did it on purpose.

I had a bad feeling about it too.

But sometimes what you dread just heads your way, and just before quitting time.
Wallis sent me a screenshot of her chat with Zachary.

[Mr. Zade's idea is to have President Lott figure out a way to bring Ms. Irwin to
the soirée tomorrow night.]

Zachary was being all subtle, but Wallis and I couldn't miss the subtext.

Only two could go to the party, and Hogan was asking Wallis to pick between me
and Cecilia.

Wallis was livid, “Usually playing favorites is one thing, but what's the deal with
tomorrow night? What's a green girl with no degree got to do with it? Has Hogan
lost his mind to lust or what?"

Wallis shot down Zachary’s suggestion, “The company’s ours, and as the boss, I
sure as hell get to call the shots on this.”

I knew she was sticking up for me.

But I also knew if it was Hogan's wish, he’d move heaven and earth to see it
done.

1 didn’t want Wallis in the line of fire, so I took the initiative to ring him up.

“Ms. March, what's up?”

I hesitated for two beats before asking. “Mr. Zade, you got a sec? About
tomorrow night's bash. I'd like a word.”

There was a pause on the other end before I heard Hogan ask, “Where?”

He was all business, like he couldn't stand wasting words.

Chapter 79

I picked the same coffee shop Hilary had booked for our meet-up the day before.
Half an hour later, Hogan and I were sitting face to face, the man’s expression
stony as he waved away the menu, cutting to the chase. “I've got ten minutes,
I'm taking Cecilia dress shopping after.”

The words “dress shopping” clogged my throat.

So. Hogan wasn't giving us an inch, huh?

“Well?” Hogan saw I was speechless, his brow furrowed, “Ms. March, what is it
you want to say?”

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I tried to reason with him, “Mr. Zade,
you're a man of dona mM
sting Kecilia id party isn't too

tough for you?” The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest

chapter there!

“I've said it before.” Hogan's gaze was icy, “I don’t want her to be the subject of
gossip.”

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I clenched the mug tight, forcing

calm, and blurted PL Zade are

vos dead ero sing the invite to
Director Irwin?”. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest

chapter there!

Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.

Hogan stressed, “It's not about

passing it on. Ms. March, yay should
understand thatthebportuniy goes

td whom the person in charge

decides.” The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest

chapter there!

And he was that person in charge, wasn't he?

I figured if Wallis and I defied him, Hogan had a hundred ways to make us fall in
line.

And I had no intention of risking the company’s future over something so trivial.
I arched an eyebrow and managed a strained smile, “Mr. Zade, if your mind's
made up, then let's talk turkey.”