Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 113

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Private art show, set up the meetup.

Couldn't believe Hogan already had everything in the bag. But as one of the key players, here | was, completely in the dark. | fudged, “Oh, that, Mr. Zade mentioned it in passing: | just didn’t take it to heart.”

| came up with a decent excuse for myself. After hanging up, | glanced at my shaking hands, feeling like | had a ton of bricks sitting on my chest.

From what Morgan hinted, Hogan must've had it all planned out bright and early. Given what I knew about Hogan, he was a stickler for detail, always ahead of the game, never dragging his feet.

Maybe, he had it all squared away the day before. But Hogan didn’t spill the beans, and Cecilia didn’t breathe a word either. So there was only one conclusion-they didn’t want me in on it.

Thinking about it made my heart sink, but considering the project’s future, | bucked up and drove over to Rainbow Capital

| thought, no way | was letting my piece of the pie slip through my fingers.

When Hogan found out | was coming, he didn’t sound too shocked. On the phone, he asked casually, “Anything pressing that Ms. March needs to come in person for?”

“Better to talk face-to-face.” | said patiently, catching the brush—off in Hogan’s tone. “I’m already downstairs at Rainbow Capital” Ten minutes later, the receptionist led me to the CEO's office.

Pushing the door open, | found Hogan at his desk, going through documents, silver specs on. looking all serious and focused. Hearing me come in, he didn’t even look up, and just said, “Board meeting’s pushed to next Monday: got other plans tomorrow.” | was taken aback; felt like my throat was clogged with glue, the words | had ready just stuck there.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

If | was not wrong about tomorrow's plans, Hogan was probably looking to escort Cecilia to meet FreeMan in person. He actually shuffled the board meeting for that.

We were talking about a board meeting here. Sure enough, once he was calling the shots. status and power were a whole different ballgame.

Noticing me standing there, silent. Hogan finally sensed something was off. He adjusted his glasses and looked up at me. When our gazes met, | could discern a flicker of impatience in his, “Quite quick.”

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| clenched my fists and got straight to the point, “Are you available? There’s something | want to discuss.

While flipping through his papers, Hogan responded, “What's it about?”

1 heard from Mr. Paisley that you've set up a meeting with FreeMan,” | said, realizing my voice was soft. “But | haven’t caught wind of it at all.”

Right after | finished. Hogan stopped his work, looked up after a few seconds and said, ‘If it’s all arranged, then there’s no need to trouble Ms. March.”

“No need to trouble?” | echoed his words, my voice shaking. “You mean to say, this meeting will just be between you and Director Irwin??

“Yes.”

Hogan’s answer was firm, not a hint of hesitation. It confirmed my suspicions.

I stared at him, frustrated, “Why? I’m in charge of this project; there’s no reason to sideline me from this meeting.” As Hogan heard this, his brows furrowed, and after a couple of seconds, he said. “The

opportunity was snagged by Rainbow Capital Do | need to run it by Ms. March who gets to be in on it?”