Chapter 139


    Chapter 139


    Hogan’s all business attitude and unppable tone really brought his irond persona to life. Made sense, with Cecilia in the


    picture, Hogan was practically an ind- no water could soak him, no wind could break him down.


    Shirley must''ve caught onto that; her voice came off way stiffer than before. “So what if | refuse to partner up with Rainbow


    Capital?”


    Looked like she was ticked off, Refusing was just another form of threat, wasn’t it?


    Shirley was still a woman after all, letting her emotions called the shots. She just didn’t get Hogan.


    Next thing | heard was the man’s nd response. “You certainly have the right to refuse. President Stapleton, but as far as |


    know, Lucky Star’s financial statements have been on the downside sincest year, and the cash flow situation isn’t looking too


    hot.”


    Well that was news to me. Looked like Hogan did his homework before showing up.


    “So what?” Shirley was back in the game, negotiating, “There are plenty of fish in the investment sea; Rainbow Capital ain’t the


    only one with deep pockets.”


    She was not wrong there.


    “Rainbow Capital might just be the only one willing to write that check.” Hogan was still as cool as a cucumber. “President


    Stapleton, | know it’s tough for you to hand over a guest list, but if we’re talking partnership, that changes things. As


    stakeholders, we''d have the right to look at any relevant documents: don’t you think?”


    Even through a closed door, without seeing the face-off between Hogan and Shirley, | could tell


    he had this one in the bag.


    “Looks like you came prepared from day one.” Shirley’s tone softened, mixed with a hint of bitterness, “If that’s the case, why


    bother spending all this time ying pretend with me? Is it because of Cecilia?”


    The room fell into a brief silence. A few secondster, Hogan said: “I definitely have to take her feelings into ount.”


    Aself—deprecating chuckle came from inside; | hear Shirleyugh, “Turns out | was the only one ying for keeps.”


    Sheughed, but | couldn’t join in. Because soon enough, | realized something.


    If Hogan had everything nned out from the get-go, why drag me into this charade for the past couple of days?


    In this pointless game, Hogan roped me in, ostensibly to deal with Shirley, but really, he had it all mapped out.


    Shirley got yed, and | was just an insignificant pawn in this standoff game. All because Hogan needed to snag that guest list


    for Cecilia, to secure a head start on the FreeMan deal. Man, talked about ying the long game.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    | handed off the meds to the hotel staff and quickly packed up, ready to head down the mountain.


    Clearly, in thispetition, I''d lost to Cecilia. Lost big time.


    And the winning Cecilia? She didn’t even show her face. What a joke.


    It was just past noon, but the mountain mist made it all hazy. Supported by the railing. | carefully made my way down the steps,


    the bitterness in my chest scratching at my senses. | missed a step, and almost took a nasty fall.


    Good thing I''d got quick reflexes, and grabbed onto the nearby chain. But that sudden jolt of weightlessness just magnified the


    lump in my throat, and before | knew it, tears were streaming down my face.


    Even as a pawn, | guessed | was allowed to feel upset. But if | was just a pawn, why did he have to show up right when it


    mattered? Wouldn''t it be easier to just let this pawn fend for herself?


    The more | thought about it, the more wronged | felt, until finally, hot tears broke free.


    Then out of nowhere, a crisp voice hit my ears. “Xaviera, is that really you?”