Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 25

In the office, Hogan sitting across from me cut to the chase, “Isn’t this a bit much?”

His voice was steady, but his condescending attitude was like an invisible hand, squeezing my heart tightly. | thought, how desperate was he to rush over from Rainbow Capital just to take Cecilia’s side?

And he showed up in person, no less.

| took a breath and said flatly, “Please enlighten me, Mr. Zade.”

Hogan glanced at me and said seriously, “It’s just a minor mistake. A good team should be one that allows its members to make mistakes, and besides, she hasn’t even graduated yet.”

Aminor mistake.

| managed a forced smile, realizing that our hard work over the past month was nothing more than a ‘minor mistake’ in Hogan’s eyes.

Suddenly, | remembered the time | brown—nosed Hogan by offering to do his laundry, only to shrink his sweater because | didn’t pay attention to the fabric, and he gave me the silent

treatment for a whole week.

Seeing that | remained silent, Hogan spoke up again, “I'll sign her up for a course, and you, you need to be more patient with

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| looked up, wanting to say something, but my throat felt glued shut, and | couldn’t utter a word. | had been sucking up to him for six years, now questioned for not having enough patience.

“Any issues?” | suppressed the discomfort in my chest and replied with indifference, “Mr. Zade, your thoughtfulness is beyond me.”

“You don’t seem to agree,” he said, his gaze fixed on my face, Hogan pressed on, “Ms. March, are you not satisfied with how I’m handling this?”

He was like a judge on the bench, who had already sentenced us but was absurdly asking the convict if they were satisfied. Thinking about the hard—won investment money, | met Hogan’s gaze and said with polite detachment, “It’s fine.”

Hogan’s eyelashes quivered, and after a scoff, he got up and left.

| escorted him to the elevator like a robot.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, | rushed to lean against the wall, gasping for air, my mouth bitter as if I'd swallowed bile. Chapter 25

Shortly after, a message from Cecilia popped up on my phone. [Xaviera, I'll work hard, | won’t let you and Hogan down.]

| closed the chat and continued to code.

The next day, true to her word, Cecilia was studious and even stayed late at work, which was unprecedented.

Inwardly, | marveled at the power of love.

At 9 p.m., my stomach inconveniently growled, so | picked up the cup noodles from my. and headed to the pantry.

desk

As my noodles were soaking, there was a noise at the door. | looked up, thinking my eyes were. deceiving me.

Hogan was standing at the door, holding a fancy meal box.

It bore the logo of Aurora Eats.

Astark contrast to the cup noodles in my hands.

Our eyes met, and | heard him ask, “Where's Cecilia?”

Upon hearing him, Cecilia emerged from her office, beaming at Hogan, “Hogan, | told you not to come, what if you’re neglecting your work?”

Hogan’s lips curved slightly as he spoke softly, “Hungry? Let’s eat first.”

“Now that you mention it, | am getting a bit hungry.*.

After her words, Cecilia linked arms with Hogan and headed into the office. She took a few. steps, then turned to look at me. Her gaze fell on the cup noodles in my hand.

“Xaviera, that’s not healthy, want to join us?”

Her offer was well-intentioned, but my heart still gave an involuntary twinge.

Suddenly, the cup noodles didn’t smell as appetizing.

In a moment of rebellion, | blurted out. “No worries, I’m not that precious.”

Then Cecilia's smile froze, her eyelashes drooping like a wounded kitten, she murmured, “Xaviera, | didn’t mean anything by it.”