Echoes of Unrequited Love (Xaviera and Hogan) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44 

Hogan rolled in with Zachary. 

Honestly, the moment those trust fund brats started trash–talking Hogan, I had this bad feeling creeping up on me. 

The Rivertown circle was small, and since they were both in the investment game, bumping into each other was common. 

But of course, today of all days, it had to happen. 

Right when I was bad–mouthing him, no less. 

I was a tad embarrassed, but then I remembered discussing the whole bringing in new investors thing with Hogan, so I quickly got my act together. 

But that composure cracked a bit when Hogan came over with a drink and planted himself next 

to me. 

That perfect not–too–close–yet–not–too–far distance, his expression unreadable, showing zero emotion except for that sharp, soapy scent of his that was practically barging into my nostrils. 

Feeling uneasy, I clutched my glass tighter and threw Wallis a look for backup. 

Hogan slowly parted his lips, “Ms. March, do tell, how exactly am I not doing my job?” 

His voice was deep, steady, and sounded pretty chill. 

But there was a hint of mockery in those eyes of his as he looked at me. 

With his status, once he spoke up, the others zipped it. 

They sure knew how to read the room. 

In a flash, the whole buzzing atmosphere got smothered by this heavy tension. 

All eyes on me, the pressure was cranked up my way. 

I figured Hogan was out to make me squirm. 

I pinched my palm and confessed, “Mr. Zade, if I had to point out a flaw, it’s probably that you are a bit too stingy.” 

At that, Hogan’s brows did a little dance. 

And the faces around were holding back grins, waiting to see his reaction. 

The man swirled his wine glass and asked, “Think the money is not enough?” 

I couldn’t just blurt out in front of everyone that Hogan threw us a cool five hundred thousand for Cecilia’s sake. 

That’d be like announcing through a megaphone that Hogan was like a tyrant totally bewitched.

Chapter 44 

Hogan rolled in with Zachary. 

Honestly, the moment those trust fund brats started trash–talking Hogan, I had this bad feeling creeping up on me. 

The Rivertown circle was small, and since they were both in the investment game, bumping into each other was common. 

But of course, today of all days, it had to happen. 

Right when I was bad–mouthing him, no less. 

I was a tad embarrassed, but then I remembered discussing the whole bringing in new investors thing with Hogan, so I quickly got my act together. 

But that composure cracked a bit when Hogan came over with a drink and planted himself next to me. 

That perfect not–too–close–yet–not–too–far distance, his expression unreadable, showing zero emotion except for that sharp, soapy scent of his that was practically barging into my nostrils. 

Feeling uneasy, I clutched my glass tighter and threw Wallis a look for backup. 

Hogan slowly parted his lips, “Ms. March, do tell, how exactly am I not coing my job?” 

His voice was deep, steady, and sounded pretty chill 

But there was a hint of mockery in those eyes of his as he looked at me. 

With his status, once he spoke up, the others zipped it. 

They sure knew how to read the room. 

In a flash, the whole buzzing atmosphere got smothered by this heavy tension. 

All eyes on me, the pressure was cranked up my way. 

1 figured Hogan was out to make me squirm. 

I pinched my palm and confessed, “Mr. Zade, if I had to point out a flaw, it’s probably that you are a bit too stingy.” 

At that, Hogan’s brows did a little dance. 

And the faces around were holding back grins, waiting to see his reaction. 

The man swirled his wine glass and asked, “Think the money is not enough?” 

I couldn’t just blurt out in front of everyone that Hogan threw us a cool five hundred thousand for Cecilia’s sake. 

That’d be like announcing through a megaphone that Hogan was like a tyrant totally bewitched 

by beauty. 

I decided to double down on the blunder, “Yeah, when Mr. Bishop makes a move, he hits his targets big time.” 

Hogan’s swirling hand paused, and he let out a soft snort. 

That was when Wallis Jumped In, “Xaviera, I can’t agree with that. Mr. Zade invested the five hundred thousand when we were out of options. It was like sending charcoal in snowy weather 

less money but more meaningful.” 

Frank raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Zade, not gonna clear the air?” 

Hogan took a sip and said slowly, “Every project has its assessment criteria.” 

I almost burst out laughing. 

Hogan’s ‘assessment criteria‘ must be Cecilia, right? 

“If I’m not mistaken, Mr. Zade, both you and Ms. March are graduates of N University?” Frank stirred up another convo, “Never bumped into each other back then?” 

I took a sip and replied. “Not close.” 

As soon as I said that, I could feel the guy next to me drop in temperature. 

But publicly denying our history, wasn’t that his favorite tactic? 

Why did he seem upset now? 

Wallis caught on too, chuckling, “Yeah, if we had known a big shot like Mr. Zade sooner, we’d be clinging to his coattails, right?” 

Nice save.