Chapter 118


    Chapter 118


    Cecilia was all smiles as she gossiped with me, like we were old pals. Anyone out of the loop would’ve thought we were super


    chummy, like mentor and mentee or something.


    | didn’t bite but shot back with, “Have Mr. Zade and Director Irwin actually met FreeMan in the flesh yet?”


    As soon as the words left my mouth, Cecilia’s smile froze, and she awkwardly mumbled, “Not yet, probably got held up or


    something.


    Her voice was so faint: she could tell she wasn’t feeling too sure about it. Sounded more like she was trying to reassure herself.


    Seemed like my hunch was right; things weren''t going as smooth for Hogan’s side as | thought. “You seem to have more tricks


    up your sleeve than | thought. Ms. March.”


    Acold voice reached my ears, and when | slightly looked up, | caught Hogan’s eyes, brimming with mockery, briefly ncing


    between Timothy and me.


    The sarcasm was loud and clear. Normally, | wouldn’t have given it a second thought, but Timothy had my back, and he didn’t


    deserve to be ridiculed by Hogan.


    So, | forced a smile and said in a neutral tone. “Thanks for thepliment, Mr. Zade. Takes one


    to know one.”


    Hogan gave me a look, then turned to Cecilia and asked, “Decided which of those two paintings you want?”


    His tone had softened a bit.


    Cecilia shook her head, looking all kinds of hesitated, “One''s got soul; the other’s a goldmine. It''s such a tough call.”


    “Alright.” Hogan seemed to console her with a patient voice, “Don’t choose then: let''s just get


    both.”


    “Really?” Cecilia pped a hand over her mouth, her face a picture of delighted surprise, “Hogan, isn’t that a bit too


    extravagant?”


    She wasn’t wrong. Though the price tags weren''t exactly visible, given the vibe and ss of the ce today, those two paintings


    had to be at least five figures each.


    And here was Hogan, ready to splurge like it was nothing. Of course, that was their couple’s vibes, none of my business.


    But just then, Timothy by my side suddenly chimed in. “The paintings on the first floor are mostly frommercial artists. I’m


    afraid they don’t hold much value for collectors. As for the ones upstairs, no offense, but the artist is just riding the trend, painting


    whatever’s hot. Even the so-called nostalgic themes are just old hat that everyone’s tired of. Not worth mentioning.”


    do


    Chapter 118N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Timothy had this matter-of-fact tone, like he was some celeb critic, casually doling out his verdict. But his words galled both


    Hogan and Cecilia, It was supposed to be a romantic moment for the couple, yet his few remarks managed to throw a wet


    nket on them.


    Being a few years younger, he sure didn’t hold back. To avoid making things more awkward, 1 jumped in to smooth things over,


    “Mr. Zade’s choice of artwork is a gesture for someone special, and it’s the thought that counts above all.”


    Timothy wasn’t dense. He got the hint and quickly added, “Sorry, | saw you were close with Xaviera, so | spoke my mind. If | was


    too blunt, my apologies.”


    With his fair skin and those pretty eyes, plus the naive and innocent look on his face, his apologetic words actually matched


    Cecilia''s cuteness.


    After all, who would get worked up over a fresh-facedd? Sure enough, the next second, | heard Cecilia say, “Thanks for the


    heads-up. Xaviera, your friend sure is frank.”


    | nced at Timothy but didn’t deny it, yet when my eyes swept over Hogan, | noticed the corners of his mouth dip slightly in


    displeasure.


    He rarely let his emotions show like that. Probably felt like we killed his vibe of spoiling his girl


    “Xaviera, you guys chat.” Cecilia said naturally, looping her arm through Hogan’s to wrap things up. “It’s about time. We should


    be heading off.”