Echoes of Unrequited Love ( Hogan Zade )
Chapter 178

Chapter 178

Hogan had always been one to cut to the chase.

Seeing I couldn’t hide anything anymore, I calmly said, “I’ve talked to Mr. Abbott, and he does have his reasons that are hard to articulate.”

“Oh, is that so?” Hogan glanced at me casually and said, “What kind of unspeakable reasons would make a guy who lights up at the sight of money give up a deal that’s ripe for the picking? Do enlighten me, Ms. March.”

That put me on the spot. After all, I had promised Timothy before coming that I

I wouldn’t blow his cover. He’d kept it under wraps for so long: I had to respect his

privacy.

With that thought, I sighed and added, “Mr. Abbott also expressed his regret at not being able to work with Rainbow Capital.”

“You believe that line?”

His questioning dropped into my ears, leaving me speechless.

Indeed, Hogan was no stranger to this kind of corporate sweet talk.

“Come on, Ms. March, you’re too smart to tell me you didn’t see through that,” Hogan said coldly, staring me down, “Or are you implying you have a soft spot and were playing dumb on purpose?”

“A soft spot?” I echoed Hogan’s words, asking, “What do you mean, Mr. Zade?”

Hogan scoffed and said, “Sean and Timothy are thick as thieves. Crossing him would put you in a tight spot with Timothy, wouldn’t it?”

Hogan was so sure of himself, as if I really had something to explain to Timothy.

I ignored the sarcasm in his words and patiently explained, “Rainbow Capital is in the midst of rapid growth. Taking a shot at Sean now would only stir up gossip. Besides, the Abbott family holds forty percent of Rivertown’s clothing trade. They’re not to be underestimated economically. Making enemies with the Abbott Group is not a smart move.”

Since reason wasn’t getting through to him, I had to argue from the standpoint of interests. But as soon as I finished, I heard Hogan’s sarcastic retort, “Well then, Ms. March, I guess I should thank you for the heads up.”

I stared at his sharp–featured face, momentarily at a loss for words.

11:06

Chapter 178

Hogan was still an enigma to me.

After a brief standoff, I heard him say, “Too bad, this time, I’m not taking Ms. March’s advice. Since Sean won’t give Rainbow Capital the respect it deserves, I’ve got to

reclaim it.”

Hearing Hogan’s resolute tone, I was speechless, flustered for a moment, and then snapped, “You’re acting like a petulant child right now.”

At that, Hogan’s expression froze, his brows knitted together, and in a chilling tone he retorted, “Do I need lessons from you on how to handle my affairs?”

I knew full well I was in no position to lecture him.

But my chest felt like it was stuffed with cotton, making it hard to breathe. Just as I was about to respond, his sarcastic voice pressed on my ear again, “Of course, if you feel like protecting someone, feel free to tip them off.”

It was like a stab to the heart; I looked at Hogan in disbelief, then suddenly everything went black, and my mind blanked out, losing consciousness.

In my haze, I thought I smelled a familiar soap scent.

But when I opened my eyes, what filled my nose was the sharp smell of disinfectant.

I then realized I was actually lying in a hospital room.

It was the same room as before, even the little potted plant on the windowsill hadn’t changed.

Its bare branches, tormented by winter, not a sign of life.

Just like me.

Thinking back, I felt like a total failure. This trip to Pinecrest Hollow had turned into such a mess, and who would’ve thought it would end like this?

Now, I was even saddled with the label of a “traitor.“, utterly ridiculous.

While I was internally grumbling, Zachary’s voice came from outside, “Director Irwin, to put it mildly, that’s Rainbow Capital’s trade secret. How could you just blurt that out? Don’t you know that could be legally binding for others?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Cecilia’s voice, both aggrieved and cautious, also came through, “I just didn’t want to see Hogan and Mr. Abbott at odds. I was hoping Xaviera would mediate, but who knew it would end up.”