Chapter 179
A bout of sobbing rang out, and if I was not mistaken, Cecilia must have started crying her eyes out by now.
“Mr. Zade hasn’t even made his move yet. Director Irwin, you are jumping the gun.”
“Zip it,” a scolding voice cut in, Hogan’s reprimand booming loud and clear, “She’s just trying to help. If she hadn’t tipped off Xaviera, I’d be clueless about how.one move would’ve sent her rushing to the hospital.”
The word “help” stung me to some degree.
When it came to giving a heads–up, I was the one with an ulterior motive, while Cecilia was seen as caring.
Talk about a double standard.
“Mr. Zade, actually, Mrs. Zade- I mean, Ms. March might not be entirely wrong. Maybe we should give her suggestion some thought, what do you say?”
“I think you should consider looking for a new job,” Hogan replied without mincing words, “At this point, I can’t tell if you’re with Rainbow Capital or you’re flying the flag for the Abbott Group.”
That was quite the accusation to throw around; it even made me feel a twinge of sympathy.
I struggled to sit up, and just as I was about to stand, that soft and tender voice piped up again, “Hogan, maybe we should try to see where Xaviera is coming from. After all, with Mr. Abbott and Mr. Temple’s relationship being what it is, it’s tough being
stuck in the middle.”
Hearing that, I couldn’t help but scoff.
How should I put it? Cecilia’s understanding nature perfectly highlighted my supposed tantrums.
Her angle was Hogan, while mine, well, I’d got a different game in play.
Suddenly I recalled her frantic call from this morning and couldn’t help but pull a wry smile.
It seemed that shaking off this “traitor” label was going to be a bit of a tough sell.
Just as I was pondering how to negotiate with Hogan, there came a loud “clang,” followed by a man’s sharp, urgent voice, “Where’s Xaviera?“.
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Chapter 179
I recognized that distinctive voice instantly–it was Timothy.
But why on earth would he show up at the hospital room now?
“Mr. Temple, don’t panic, Xaviera is resting in the room,” Cecilia kindly pointed out, “If you want to see her, maybe wait a bit, Mr. Temple, no need to rush.”
“Move!” The rebuke came sharp and sudden as Timothy raised his voice, “I don’t need your fake concern.”
“Mr. Temple.” Cecilia started nervously, “Did I say something wrong?”
“What do you think this place is,” Hogan’s voice joined the fray, “and what gives you the right to enter her room?”
With the conversation descending into chaos, my temples began to throb with pain. I made my way to the door, only to hear Timothy say, “If it weren’t for you guys, would she be in and out of the hospital like this? Huh, just looking for someone, and when you can’t do it yourself, you take it out on your subordinates. Mr. Zade, your way of doing things is certainly eye–opening.”
I cursed inwardly, realizing this wasn’t good, and then I heard Hogan retort, “Do I need you to teach me how to handle my business?”
Timothy didn’t respond right away. Instead, he stepped past Hogan and Cecilia and strode right up to me.
“Why the pale face?”
His tone was gentle, a stark contrast to the sharpness he’d shown just a second ago in the standoff with Hogan.
“It’s nothing, probably just low blood sugar.”
“Low blood sugar means rest, not some damn job. Health comes first,” Timothy said pointedly, glancing at Hogan, “Fight back when you need to, so some capitalists don’t end up exploiting you for their own gain without caring about the staff’s well–being.”
He didn’t mince his words, and Hogan’s face darkened upon hearing them, “Mr. Temple, how much do you know about our work, and what makes you think you can judge me?”
From the sharp look in Hogan’s eyes, it was clear he
seething.
Not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I was about to step in when Timothy stopped me.
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And in that moment, I heard him say, “Of course I have the right, because the FreeMan you’ve been desperately searching for is me.”
