Chapter 86


    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 ufortable, | had to bow out early?N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    That was just in 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 | bail now, it''d be super shady.


    | steadied myself and said, “Sorry Mr. Zade, | 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.


    | curled my fingers andid it on the line, “Mr. Zade, if | were here as a rep for thepany tonight, I’d dly y nice. But I’m


    here as Professor Yearwood’s plus one. You get that, right?”


    After all, he was the investor, and | couldn’t have us both losing face.


    But the moment | 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, | was at a loss for words.


    | never meant to stir up any bad blood between Hogan and Darren.


    “So, what do you want? More investment?”


    Hogan quipped when | kept mum, probably thinking | was ying coy, to squeeze more out of him.


    “No thanks,” | said, cutting to the chase. “I’m not leaving.”


    “You sure?” Hogan red 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, nted me firmly on the pir of shame.


    And all because | made his precious Cecilia a tiny bit ‘ufortable’.


    With that in mind, | forced a smile and said coolly, “The party’s about to start, Mr. Zade. Please excuse me.”


    Chapter 86


    After dropping that line, | turned to leave but then Hogan’s voice followed, “Ms. March, are you sure yourpany can handle


    the fallout?”


    | 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, | said, “As you wish.”


    | can be amodating, but there’s a limit.


    When | got back to the banquet hall, Darren was looking for me.


    “You look a bit off, what’s up?”


    | rubbed my throbbing temples and came up with an excuse, “Probably had one too many.”


    “I''ve always told you, just y 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, | 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 exined, “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.


    | yed 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.