Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 209

Chapter 209 He said his piece and walked away, leaving us staring at his cold shoulder. The very thing | dreaded most happened.

After leaving Rainbow Capital, Timothy was still fuming, “It’s just about shelling out some measly cash. This dude ain’t playing their game.”

True to his silver—spoon upbringing, Timothy had the privilege to talk big.

But when all is said and done, Hogan still holds the purse strings. The way characters are cast is crucial, and without his nod, we can’t even take the next step.

It means that the project’s progress is about to get derailed. Again.

It was nearly year-end, and if this drags on, next spring’s work plan could be dead in the water. And Hogan is not the kind of guy you can easily sweet-—talk.

| had this nagging feeling of unease.

Who knows what kind of drama Hogan’s gonna stir up this time.

Wallis saw it too, so he had been on the horn with Zachary for two days straight, trying to pin down the next briefing session. But the answer was the same old song — Mr. Zade’s calendar is packed, and they’ll have to push it back.

“They're showing us the back of their hand, clear as day. What do we do? If we don’t sort this out, we won't be able to enjoy the holidays.”

| twirled my pen, without saying a word. Passing by the break room, | bumped into Cecilia, who just went back from outside. She'd been burning the candle at both ends these days. It looked like she was taking care of Hilary at the hospital.

As | passed the front desk, | heard her telling Zora, “I’m clocking out early today. If President Lott asks about it, you know what to say, right?”

She sounded pretty cocky.

And according to what Zora said, Cecilia’s been coming and going without so much as a leave slip.

She acted like she owned the place.

Before this, she would’ve followed procedure to the letter.

As Wallis had already started grumbling about it, | reckon if this keeps up, the rest of the crew will start to get ticked off. At that moment, Zora flashed an awkward smile and glanced my way, before she called out like

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| was her lifeline, “Xaviera, Director Irwin got held up, and she asked me to give you and President Lott the heads up.” Cecilia hadn’t left yet. Hearing this, she shot me a couple of glances and quirked her mouth, “Oh, Xaviera, you're in the office? Wasn't it the buzz that you and President Lott were heading to Hogan’s to report on work? How’s that going?”

Right then, | got why this girl was so full of herself.

| figured that the well-informed Cecilia must’ve caught wind of our snub at Rainbow Capital, and here we were, at a standoff with Hogan. The only person who could talk to Hogan was her, Cecilia.

This plot seemed all too familiar.

| remember when Wallis and I, the supposed bosses, had to call Cecilia and beg her to intercede on our behalf.

But this time, | wasn’t about to do that.

“Director Irwin must be in the loop,” | said, trying to keep my cool, “Mr. Zade’s giving us the cold shoulder. What do you suggest?”

Cecilia flicked her pretty nails and gave me a sidelong glance, “Xaviera, aren’t you the one with all the answers? Do you need me to sweet-talk Hogan?”

I smiled slightly and said, “Sweet-talk? Absolutely.” “But Xaviera, you know Hogan. He’s a man of principle. If | go to him now, it might...”

“Sweet-talk’s a must,” | cut her off before she could finish, and my gaze landed on the young lady’s face, “You'll have to tell Mr. Zade, if we keep stalling like this, it might throw a wrench in your graduation defense next year.”