Echoes of Unrequited Love

“Something’s up?” Cecilia a guide to winning Hilary’s favor was a private deal between us. Surprisingly, Hogan had gotten wind of it.

Ironically, in this guide, when it came to the section about food, I had emphasized repeatedly that Hilary hated white pepper.

I figured if Hogan had even skimmed through the guide, he’d see right through some of my thoughts.

However, my act of deliberately “confessing” had backfired, and I had slapped my own face.

I felt a tightness in my chest but managed to keep my cool, sneaking a glance at the guy a couple of steps away, without jumping in with a response.

When I think about it, that mother–daughter–in–law handbook was a good five or six pages long, with

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nitty–gritty details on Hilary’s do’s and don’ts, from eating to dressing to living. As the President of Rainbow Capital, he probably didn’t have the leisure to read it from beginning to end.

Maybe I was overthinking it.

Upon sorting it out, I felt somewhat steadier and said in a calm and collected tone, “Since Director Irwin joined, she’s done a lot for the company. Helping her means relieving your worries, doesn’t it, Mr. Zade?”

“Then keep relieving my worries,” The man’s voice became inexplicably more rigid, and colder, “Why are you playing both sides today?”

Upon hearing those words, ‘playing both sides‘, I instantly got the hint–Hogan was convinced I’d done the white pepper thing on purpose.

“I’ve got a question too,” I said, with a light smile and a soft voice, “Mr. Zade, why do you think I would do such a thing? What good does angering an investor’s mother do for me?”

At that, Hogan’s brows furrowed, and he took a step closer, giving me a hard stare, saying in a low voice, “Yeah, what’s in it for you, Ms. March? Don’t tell me you’re eyeing Mrs. Zade’s spot?”

Teasing intermixed with ridicule, Hogan’s tone was harsh, and those piercing eyes were inscrutable.

It made my heart flutter.

“Mr. Zade, you really have a knack for humor,” I dodged his gaze, trying to keep my tone as natural as possible, “If Director Irwin heard that, it could stir up some trouble.”

Before I could finish, he suddenly stepped even closer. Alerted, I took two steps back, finding myself pressed against the car door.

And Hogan was right before me.

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Under the dim light, his tobacco–scented breath filled the air, and he looked down at me, none too pleased, “What Ms. March wants, hasn’t she always used any means necessary to fight for it?”

His oppression made me feel uncomfortable.

My hand tightened, then loosened, then tightened again, only then I adjusted my breath to normal. And when I looked up at Hogan again, he was still all up in my grill.

Maybe he was sticking up for Cecilia?

With that thought, I gave a half–smile, mockingly saying, “Mr. Zade, you’re giving me too much credit. Someone like you is way out of my league.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, his facial muscles twitched, his pupils dilated, a mix of surprise and

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distaste crossed his face.

Had I misinterpreted? Hogan seemed displeased with this response.

“Alright, Xaviera,” he raised his arm, pointing a finger near my face, “You’d better remember what you sald today.”

He strode off, and I watched his retreating figure, finally allowing myself to breathe.

But why did I feel so empty all of a sudden?

Something was off with Hogan tonight.

Hopefully, it wouldn’t affect our cooperation.

With this doubt in mind, I nervously returned home to find a petite figure standing at my doorstep as soon as I stepped out of the elevator.

The young lady was holding a small gift box, looking at the number on my door.

It was Cecilia. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

Quite unexpected.

She should know better; we’re not exactly on house–calling terms.

As I composed myself and was just about to speak, Cecilia who heard my footsteps immediately turned around and said with a smiling face, “Xaviera, you’re back.”

Her voice was as always, soft and soothing.

1 came here specifically to thank you,” Cecilia said with a flat tone, handing me a box of desserts, “I owe you one for helping me at the hospital today.”

She used the term ‘help‘.

Something I hadn’t expected.

I looked at her sweet, soft face and didn’t call her out on it, just softly said, “You flatter me, Director Irwin. It was nothing, really.”

Cecilia probably didn’t expect me to be so calm. As she held out the gift box, she asked hesitantly, “You don’t feel wronged, Xaviera?”

Seeing the probing look in her almond eyes, I just shrugged and said, “The result has been seen by Director Irwin, hasn’t it?”

Hilary didn’t blame me at all.

Cecilia must have caught the drift, as the smile on her face stiffened a bit.

I didn’t plan to argue with her. I continued, “It’s an honor for me to alleviate the investor’s worries. As for pushing the cooperation forward, I do hope Director Irwin would put more thought into it, otherwise, I’ll have to go ask Hilary.”

Cecilia blinked, chuckled awkwardly, “Of… of course.”

Watching the young lady’s reaction, I suddenly felt less suffocated.

Sure enough, the next day, Rainbow Capital responded and arranged our reporting work for the following afternoon.

The weight in my heart lightened a bit.

And I took the opportunity to rope Cecilia into the reporting work team.

The day of the report came fast.

After packing the documents, we all went downstairs together.

Not long into the garage, my phone suddenly rang disruptively. When I glanced at the caller ID, my heart started pounding.

The call was from Grace.

Normally, at this time, she wouldn’t call me herself.

My chest felt like it was harboring a wild butterfly. I steadied myself before pressing answer.

“Xaviera, come to the county hospital quick,” Grace’s frantic voice burst through the speaker, “Nydia’s sick again.”

With a “crack“, my fingers went limp. In an instant, my phone slipped from my grasp, crashing to the ground.

The screen shattered.

Hopefully, it won’t be serious?

Without another thought, I made a brief call to Wallis before immediately speeding off to Havenport.

Two hours later, I arrived at the county hospital and upon pushing the door to the ward. As I pushed open

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the ward door, I immediately saw the little one lying in the hospital bed.

The little guy looked pale, his tiny face devoid of color.

But those beautiful eyes held a defiance and resilience that belied his age.

In that moment, my heart felt like it had been ripped apart, hurting to the extreme.

“Xaviera,” a babyish tone reached my ears as Nydia cleverly spotted me, surprised, “Is it really Xaviera?”

It took half an hour for Grace and me to coax Nydia to sleep.

Outside the ward, Grace wiped away tears with a heartache, “Why does this child have to be so unfortunate?”

I took Grace’s hand and comforted her, “Don’t worry, I’ve spoken to the doctor. As soon as the timing’s right, they’ll have surgery immediately.”

“Xaviera,” Grace looked at me with teary eyes, anxiously saying, “Nydia’s going to be okay, right?”

I nodded firmly, “She’s tough as nails.”

After calming Grace down, I met with the attending doctor, who reiterated that with Nydia’s condition, we have to prepare for the surgery as soon as possible.

He brought up the surgery cost again.

A hefty sum.

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During our talks, Wallis‘ call broke in. Twice in a row.

I sensed that something was wrong, so I had to go answer it.

“Xaviera, how’s it going on your side?” Wallis was quite agitated, his words took a turn, “Things aren’t going smoothly here. Hogan vetoed our proposal.”

A dull pain hit my chest. I gripped my phone tightly, barely suppressing my escalating emotions.

Indeed, God seems to want to give me an additional test.