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

her.

| 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.”Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.

“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.”