Chapter 170


    Chapter 170


    | had no clue why Hogan would just blurt out something like that out of the blue.


    Turns out, our little jaunt to Pinecrest Hollow was, by andrge, a goldmine for Rainbow Capital.


    Locking eyes with those fathomless peepers, | felt like there was a massive whirlpool in the guy’s gaze, ready to suck me in any


    second.


    My heart started racing.


    That look was part prodding, part judging.


    | turned my face away and continued, “If I’m not mistaken, Mr. Zade, you should have the guest list by tomorrow morning at the


    latest, right?”


    “So what?”


    | took a deep breath and admitted, “Our one-week bet is up today, and | lost fair and square. Whatever punishment you dish out,


    I''ll take it, Mr. Zade.”


    Hogan snorted coldly, “Not sure who you thought would be your cash cow, but bad judgment like that deserves a penalty.”


    Knowing | was in the wrong, | kept mum, only to hear Hogan add, “But considering you’ve had your fair share of hardships on


    this trip to Pinecrest Hollow without any real glory, I’ll let you off the hook.”


    war cli


    words.


    taken aback, incredulously looking at the man beside me, at a loss for


    | didn’t expect Hogan to be so magnanimous.


    “What, not satisfied?” Hogan shot me a look and casually said, “How about you just massage my temples as a punishment?”


    “What kind of punishment is that?” | frowned, “If you really need someone to rub your temples, | can get Cecilia to...”


    Before | could finish, my wrist was suddenly gripped tight, and | was pulled into Hogan’s embrace.


    His icy breath hit me, sending my blood boiling, and a flush climbed my cheeks as ! avoided his gaze, annoyed, “So this is what


    you really wanted, Mr. Zade.”


    “What?”


    11:02


    Chapter 170


    shes of Hogan carefully wiping away Cecilia’s tears in the River Vi parking lot crossed my mind as | said nonchntly,


    “Since you are so keen, maybe | can make a condition too?”


    His rigid body froze for a moment, and a shadow seemed to cross his face, “A condition?”


    My heart hammered, but | feignedposure, “Since you acknowledge my hard. work on this trip, maybe you could share the


    guest list with me as a token of appreciation?”


    | couldn’te back empty-handed.


    | had to protect what needed protecting at all costs.


    Even if it meant throwing away my pride and dignity.


    But my suggestion was met with silence from Hogan.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    | could feel the tension in his arm around my waist gradually loosening, and his intense gaze slowly cooling down.


    What spread between us was a chilling standoff.


    One second, two seconds, three seconds. Time crawled as we silently stared at each other, neither of us uttering a word.


    There was still a hint of inquiry in his eyes, as if waiting for me to exin.


    But business is business, and | had nothing to exin.


    The suffocation grew stronger, and that taut arm finally released from my waist.


    Just as | felt my momentum waning, a ring ringtone suddenly buzzed in my ear.


    Hogan’s phone lit up.


    On the shing screen was that familiar and adorable little kitty avatar.


    Obviously, it was Cecilia calling.


    For some reason, | said impulsively, “Don’t keep her worrying, Mr. Zade. Better take the call.”


    His eyes narrowed, Hogan stared at me intently, and in the next second, he suddenly stood up as if he’d been electrocuted.


    Chapter 171