Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 59

The spot was at Bluebell Bistro & Bar.

As soon as | walked in. Darren was there to greet me in a flash, his eyes full of astonishment. “Is it not appropriate?”

Darren’s voice was deep, “No, it’s just stunning.”

Wallis once complimented me as a cool beauty.

But that’s just scratching the surface.

“No wonder Professor Yearwood has been so distracted, turns out he had a date with a beauty.” Acouple of rich kids came over to say hi.

Darren brushed them off with a few words and led me towards the elevator. At the same time, from the opposite direction, Hogan came over, escorting Cecilia.

We bumped into each other at the elevator.

Cecilia was wearing a delightful pink lace—trimmed dress, all dolled up like a sweet beauty. “Professor Yearwood, Xaviera, what a coincidence,” she initiated the conversation with us.

Darren glanced at Hogan and amiably said, “Bringing Ms. Irwin to your dad’s birthday party?” Hogan threw back a question instead of answering, “The Yearwood family has a gathering tonight?” “Yes, my cousin's baby’s hundred—day celebration.”

Hogan nodded slightly, without further ado.

Both parties were on the third floor, one to the east and one to the west. After stepping out of the elevator, we went our separate ways.

The Ferber family’s relatives were more humble and polite than | expected, sticking to brief greetings and conversations that didn’t overstay their welcome.

Except for Darren’s cousin, Zoey Yearwood.

“Ms. March, you have a distinguished air, surely your parents have taken great care of you.” He was beating around the bush, trying to dig into my family background.

| wasn’t surprised, and took the chance to excuse myself to the restroom.

How should | put it, after tagging along with Wallis to find investors for so long, I'd realized that to mix with the high society, education and ability were just trivial door openers, background was what truly matters.

In the eyes of those at the top, just hint a little here and there, and they’d got your worth pegged down to the last dime. It was brutal but real.

I'd gotten used to it.

After composing myself, | silently left the restroom, vaguely feeling a stare on me.

Lifting my eyes, Hogan was leaning against the wall, looking at me.

His gaze was quite unfriendly, even aggressive.

| quickly averted my eyes and had just taken a couple of steps when a shadow suddenly loomed over me, blocking my path. It was Hogan.

Up close, | noticed his pupils were dilated, his eyes hazy and misty.

“Wearing the dress | gave you to impress Darren,” his voice was cold and icy, “Xaviera, your really went there.”

Right there in the open, Hogan cornered me in front of the lounge.

Utterly unreasonable.

| steadied myself and patiently explained, “Mr. Zade, you know it was a gift, and how | use a gifted item is not really something | need to report to you, is it?”

was The CEO of Rainbow Capital, and he so stingy. “On purpose?”

Ascoff echoed close to my ear, and for some reason, | felt a bit miffed. | looked up at Hogan and said, “Even if it was, what are you gonna do, ask for the dress back?”

It was just a game of chicken, and | could play too.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Hogan frowned, indignantly claimed, “I will take it back.”

Clearly, he’d had one too many.

| didn’t want to stoop to his level, so | sighed and said, “If it really comes down to it, I'll just buy it off you.”

With that, | tried to walk past him, but my wrist was suddenly gripped tight, and Hogan pulled me into the lounge.

| panicked a bit, hurriedly trying to reach for the doorknob, but Hogan pinned me against the door.