Chapter 98
Hogan’s sudden appearance caught me off guard. And, he dropped the words “gang up on“.
Looking at how things had panned out, sneaking around to meet Cecilia in private did smell a bit fishy. Not to mention, Darren and I have set up a little recording pen trap for the young lady. Keeping this from Cecilia was one thing, but pulling the wool over Hogan’s eyes? That was gonna be tough.
In a flash, my heart was hanging by a thread. Thankfully, Cecilia played it cool and smoothed things over, saying, “Hogan, you’ve got it all wrong. My little get–together with Xaviera was just for fun, really enjoyable.”
She was still wet behind the ears, though; one could tell her fibbing wasn’t quite natural.
Hogan caught on quick. He sat down beside Cecilia, his gaze flicking over the recording pen on the table, and asked, “What’s this?”
“A gift.” Cecilia jumped in before Darren and I could respond, explaining, “A gift from Xaviera.”
After saying that, she looked at me with puppy eyes. I had no choice but to go along with her story, “Director Irwin has been with the company for a while now. She deserves some award.”
No sooner had I finished than Hogan chimed in with a sarcastic tone, “Ms. March, what perfect timing for a gift.”
Hogan wasn’t wrong with his sarcasm. Giving a gift amid the drama with Candy, the intention was clear as day.
But I couldn’t spill the beans about the real purpose of the recording pen to Hogan, so I had to play along with the mistake.
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“Hogan, you really got the wrong idea about Xaviera.” Cecilia’s sweet voice filled my ears as she snuggled up to Hogan and cooed, “But you know, I’ve thought it over, and I realize I’ve had my share of slip–ups with Candy too.”
She paused, then resolved, “After all, she’s a colleague of mine and Xaviera’s. How about we let bygones be bygones?”
Cecilia played the magnanimous card to the hilt, suggesting they bury the hatchet.
Hogan gave Cecilia a deep look, then glanced at me and said, “Last time you let it slide without making a fuss, but look, some people just push their luck.”
He was referring to the time Candy bad–mouthed Cecilia in front of me. Clearly, he wasn’t ready to turn the page.
“Hogan.” Darren finally spoke up, earnestly saying, “Candy’s young and reckless, and sure, she’s under Xaviera and Ms. Irwin’s wing. But dragging this to court won’t do any good for either of them; don’t you think?”
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Chapter 98
At that, Hogan let out a scoff, his eyes landing on Darren’s face as he shot back, “Professor Yearwood, are you trying to teach me how to handle my business?”
The air went stiff in an instant, tension skyrocketing.
I didn’t expect Hogan to be so unforgiving when it came to defending Cecilia, and quickly tried to defuse the situation, “Mr. Zade’s got it wrong. Darren was just trying to pour oil on troubled waters, he didn’t.”
“Really?” Cold aura exuding from Hogan, he cut me off gloomily, “Ms. March seems to have Professor Yearwood all figured out.”
Suddenly, I was at a loss for words.
Hogan and Darren, while not best buddies, had both been part of N University’s student council and knew each other. Hogan snapping at me was one thing, but taking it out on him seemed
unnecessary.
But Darren wasn’t upset, instead explaining. “Hogan, you know that’s not what I meant.”
“She spills coffee on Cecilia today; she could be dumping trash on me tomorrow.” Hogan said sharply, “You said she’s young, but she’s an adult, isn’t she? Why should I coddle her?”
At this point, it became clear to me that deep down, Hogan was still hung up on Candy “bullying” Cecilia.
He doted on her, blind to the other side of the story. Even if Cecilia had already pleaded for peace, all he could see was her kindness and generosity.
When I realized this, a chill ran through me, and I earnestly asked, “Mr. Zade, is there really no room for negotiation here?”
Hogan glanced at me his decision final, “Yes, haven’t you already found a lawyer, Ms. March? Then I guess I’ll see you in court.”
