Chapter 19


    Chapter 19


    | was zoning out staring at Hogan’s profile pic.


    Honestly, | was nning to give this friend request a pass.


    But of course, Hogan had to be a big—shot Investor.


    If he just wanted to talk shop and | got all petty now, that would look bad on me.


    After much thought, | epted the friend request.


    And within moments, a transfer notification popped up unexpectedly.


    Like, what’s up with this investor ying Santate at night?


    | didn’t say much, just shot over a question mark.


    Then a voice message popped up.


    “Compensation.”


    Suddenly, that steamy kiss fromst night shed through my mind, and everything clicked.


    That investment banker sure knew how to y the generosity card.


    | wasn’t shy; | hit ept on that payment.


    No one everined about having too much cash, right?


    And if | didn’t take it, Hogan would probably be restless.


    After collecting the dough, | thought about saying thanks, but as | started typing, | hesitated.


    With the way things were between us, even one extra word seemed out of ce.


    So, | ended up saying nothing.


    Omeone


    The next day, business as usual at the office, but | couldn’t shake the feeling that from the tech department kept sneaking


    nces my way, like they were probing for something. It left a sour taste in my heart.


    Post-lunch, Cecilia came up to me, “Xaviera, can | take a half-day off?”


    | secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    So she just wanted time off.


    Before | could reply, Cecilia added, “Hogan’s mom invited me for tea, and | just don’t know how to say no.”


    She looked down, all helpless.


    She didn’t need to spill the beans to me, but | was cool about it, “No worries, go ahead. If it’s


    Chapter Ty


    late, feel free to call it a day.”


    Cecilia looked up, hershes fluttering, “You’re so understanding, Xaviera.”


    | didn’t have the heart to tell her | was just ying nice because of the cash,


    Plus, I''d already finished the work she had on her te, so no dys there.


    | figured my decision was fair and square, but it wasn’t long before | got a call from Hry.


    “Xaviera, you''ve really done me dirty, haven’t you? And | trusted you so much!”


    Her using tone, paired with her booming voice, sounded like fury was about to burst through the phone.


    Confused, | asked, “What''s going on?”


    “Why didn’t you tell me Cecilia was working at your studio?” Hry was fuming. “Are you and Hogan ying me for a fool?”


    | had seen thising, but Hry’s reproach still managed to stir up a sense of Injustice in me.


    In a daze, it seemed like | could hear Cecilia’s timid apologies.


    Rubbing my temples, | said, “Mrs. Hry, hold on. I''lle over now.”


    Some things just couldn’t be settled over the phone.


    Fifteen minutester, | rushed to the fancy cafe where Hry and Cecilia were.


    From a distance, | saw Cecilia with her head hung low, sitting across from a fuming Hry, her face ashen.


    The vibe was anything but chill.


    “Mrs. Hry.” | sat down and pushed aside the coffee in front of Hry, signalling to the waiter, “A low—sugar juice for thisdy,


    please.”


    Hry got a bad heart, and the doc told her toy off the coffee.


    Seeing my gesture, Hry cooled down and said gruffly, “Hogan’s being a fool, and you''re joining in the nonsense. How could


    you agree to have this person under your watch?”


    She shot Cecilia a look.


    Cecilia turned pale, biting her lip tightly.


    | sighed and said, “Mrs. Hry, it’s our fault for keeping it from you, but Ms. Irwin was just following Mr. Zade’s instructions. She’s


    not to me.”


    Hry looked at me in disbelief and asked, “Doesn''t it bother you?”


    | forced a smile and said. “Mr. Zade’s generous. I’m too busy being grateful to be bothered.”


    Chapter


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