Echoes of Unrequited Love ( Hogan Zade )
Chapter 141

Chapter 141

With a calm tone, I mentioned, “Bumping into Mr. Temple was a lucky accident; he’s always ready to lend a hand.”

If Shirley paid a tad more attention, she would’ve caught the ridiculous sight of me hobbling around.

But her gaze only briefly skimmed over my foot before she chuckled and said, “You know, for someone like Ms. March who’s a stranger to regular workouts, it’s no surprise a little hill could throw you for a loop- totally get it.”

She said she understood, but her tone had that condescending vibe that reeked of someone who thought they were the cat’s pajamas. The sarcasm was laid on thick.

I wanted to avoid a clash, so as I was racking my brains for a way to save face, I heard Timothy say, “Xaviera’s a friend of mine, and if it’s not too much trouble, I’d be grateful if President Stapleton could. arrange to have lunch sent to her room, and,”

He paused there, and then added, “The weather’s fickle, and the trails are full of clueless tourists who might get into a pickle. Today it’s Xaviera, and she’s not making a fuss about it, but if it were someone else, President Stapleton might not be all smiles right

now.”

No sooner had he finished than Shirley’s smile froze on her face. After a quick glance my way, she was back to her usual self, saying, “My bad for not playing the gracious host. Ms. March, please don’t take it to heart, okay?”

There was that teasing tone again, but this time Shirley’s voice had

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warmed up a bit. She threw me a bone, probably for Timothy’s sake.

I knew when to quit while I was ahead, “You’re too kind, President Stapleton.”

Shirley made herself scarce just in time, telling Timothy before she left, “The suite’s the same one by the Bright Summit, all spruced up. Holler if you need anything.”

Hearing this, I was slightly taken aback. I knew the room Shirley mentioned. It was diagonally opposite to Hogan’s thatched cottage, definitely one of the primo suites in this hotel. And. Timothy seemed to be a regular here.

With that thought, I couldn’t help but take a second glance at the man next to me. The windbreaker, the hiking boots, and the trekking poles he had set aside – complete and top–of–the–line gear. A thought was about to break free in my mind when I blurted out, “You look like an outdoor sport enthusiast right now.”

“I’ve always been into hiking, Xaviera.”

“FreeMan digs it, too.”

Timothy faltered in his step, and the hand supporting me tensed up as if he was a bit thrown off. Had I hit the nail on the head?

After a moment, Timothy was back to his devil–may–care self, “Xaviera, Sean the knucklehead dragged me out here for some blind date. What are you thinking?”

Sean? Blind date?

“His date is someone you know.” Seeing I didn’t respond right away,

Chapter 141

Timothy said with a smile, “The one from just now.”

Sean and Shirley? Alright, I had to admit, if those two really set up house, that place would be hopping.

“Xaviera, that look on your face.” Timothy suddenly leaned in,

eyeing me with a gossipy look, and said, “Seems a bit mischievous, huh?”

I hadn’t expected to be so transparent in front of Timothy.

Composing myself and about to explain, I caught sight of Hogan

and Zachary not too far off.

The man was as stoic as ever, his impassive eyes betraying neither joy nor anger. However, Zachary behind him was all over the place, wildly gesturing at me, his expression suggesting he was in quite a

tizzy.

A few seconds later, I deciphered Zachary’s subtle gestures which conveyed a message, “Mr. Zade heard you got hurt and rushed over here in a hurry, but why on earth are you hanging out with this

brat?”