Chapter 119
Hogan didn’t put up a fight, but I caught another piece of intel, sharp as a tack
Cecilia mentioned it was about time–could that mean FreeMan was about to make his grand entrance? I was all revved up and raring to go.
“Xaviera,” a crisp voice snapped me out of my reverie, looks like you’re not exactly batting at thousand with your judgment, huh?”
Those eyes were glinting with mischief, and I suddenly realized I’d underestimated the man in front of me. Timothy was way more on the ball than I’d given him credit for.
Soon. Timothy got roped into schmoozing by Sean, while I mingled with the crowd, trying to spot anyone shady. But no dice–couldn’t pick out a single suspect.
So, back to square one: Hogan and Cecilia. After some people–watching, the guy who chatted up Hogan the longest was this middle–aged dude with a tiny braid, looked about forty–something. Kinda matched FreeMan’s vibe, to be honest.
Once their convo wrapped up, I strolled over with a glass of bubbly to say hi. A bit of small talk, and I fished out some art–related tidbits from him, which only thickened the plot.
I was low–key thrilled, but then he hit me with, “Got any plans after the party?! know this killer restaurant. We could grab a bite and talk.”
I fraze, words stuck in my throat. Hanging out with Wallis, I’ve learned to read between the lines
when people talked.
“She’s busy,” came a frosty voice at my ear, “very busy.”
I whipped around to see Hogan, all dapper in a black suit, just standing there like a ninja, solo. His Siamese twin, Cecilia, was nowhere to be seen.
He had this stormy look about him, like he was in a foul mood.
The middle–aged guy, with a chuckle, threw a puzzled look at Hogan. “You know this beauty too, Hogan?”
Hogan didn’t even bother with him, just lasered his eyes on me and snapped, “Ms. March
seems idle, How’s the job coming along?”
“Ms. March.” The guy gave me a surprised once–over, and then after a beat, straightened up, all business–like, “Ah, the Ms. March praised by Tack himself, my apologies.”
Just as I was about to respond. Hogan cut in. “I asked you a question.”
He was all keyed up, a far cry from his usual cool and collected self.
I told it to him straight. “No progress yet.”
“So you’ve got time to flirt around?”
1/2
1649
docomo
|| Chaster 119
The wine’s aroma raced the man’s breath into my nostrils as I locked eyes with Hogan, His gaze was hazy, his eyes swirling with mockery and irritation.
Flirting around? Who was playing who here?
I sure as heck wasn’t about to spill the beans that I was trying to suss out FreeMan’s identity. so I just pressed my lips, staying mum.
Seeing this, Hogan’s brows knitted together, he huffed, “How did you sweet–talk the Temple family’s son into bringing you to the art show this time?”
The Temple family’s son. The same big–shot Rivertown Temple family I knew of?
I blinked, stunned, not expecting Timothy to have that kind of pedigree. Considering his earlier actions, it all made sense. But the way Hogan put it, didn’t sound like he meant anything nice.
The frustration that had been brewing in my chest rushed to my head, but I squashed it down. glanced around, and realized the middle–aged man had vanished into thin air, leaving just Hogan and me in the corner.
And his presence was brimming with a low pressure, so stifling I could barely breathe.
“Mr. Zade.” I tightened my grip on the glass, trying to shake off the discomfort. “if you’ll excuse
- me.
“Heh,” the sneer hit my ears again, and I heard Hogan say, “Darren’s taken a shine to you, but he really mistook the moon’s reflection for a pearl.”
