Chapter 86
Hogan’s response just confirmed my hunch.
I’d seen his soft spot for Cecilia first thing in the morning, but hearing him say it out loud still hit me right in the feels.
Just because Cecilia felt a tad uncomfortable, I had to bow out early?
That was just plain unreasonable.
Under normal circumstances, I’d be down to give the investors some face, but today was a different story. Scoring an invite to this shindig was a battle and a half for Darren, and if I bail now, it’d be super shady.
I steadied myself and said, “Sorry Mr. Zade, I can’t do that.”
Hogan’s brow knitted into a knot at my words, and his tone was anything but friendly. “You do realize I’m not asking for your opinion.”
It seemed that he’s dead set on showing me the door.
I curled my fingers and laid it on the line, “Mr. Zade, if I were here as a rep for the company tonight, I’d gladly play nice. But I’m here as Professor Yearwood’s plus one. You get that, right?”
After all, he was the investor, and I couldn’t have us both losing face.
But the moment I finished talking, Hogan let out a snort, “Using Darren to strong–arm me? Ms. March, have you forgotten where you stand?”
Staring down the aggressive Hogan, I was at a loss for words.
I never meant to stir up any bad blood between Hogan and Darren.
“So, what do you want? More investment?”
Hogan quipped when I kept mum, probably thinking I was playing coy, to squeeze more out of him.
“No thanks,” I said, cutting to the chase. “I’m not leaving.”
“You sure?” Hogan glared at me, sneering, “Is this bash that important to you, Ms. March? What, you’re that eager to brown–nose Darren?”
The word ‘brown–nose‘, along with that mocking smirk, planted me firmly on the pillar of shame.
And all because I made his precious Cecilia a tiny bit ‘uncomfortable‘.
With that in mind, I forced a smile and said coolly, “The party’s about to start, Mr. Zade. Please excuse me.”
Chapter 86
After dropping that line, I turned to leave but then Hogan’s voice followed, “Ms. March, are you sure your company can handle the fallout?”
I stopped dead in my tracks, feeling like my feet were cast in lead.
Hogan’s words reeked of a threat.
But my mind was made up, and without turning back, I said, “As you wish.”
I can be accommodating, but there’s a limit.
When I got back to the banquet hall, Darren was looking for me.
“You look a bit off, what’s up?”
I rubbed my throbbing temples and came up with an excuse, “Probably had one too many.”
“I’ve always told you, just play along with the toasts. And if all else fails, I’ve got your back, right?”
Darren’d always been a stand–up guy.
Just for that, I don’t regret giving Hogan the cold shoulder.
“Also,” Darren went on, seeing my silence, “Did you check the seating for the cocktail event?”
That had actually slipped my mind.
Seeing my puzzled look, Darren scratched his nose and explained, “We’re all at the head table, Tack too, and you, is that gonna be okay?”
Darren always thinks things through.
His mention of Hogan meant Cecilia would be at our table too.
He was probably worried about me feeling awkward.
I played it cool, “No worries, don’t forget, I’m here tonight to meet my idol.”
As the banquet kicked off and the guests took their seats, just like Darren said, we were at the head table.
Hogan and Cecilia were seated right across from us.
