Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 176

Right after | popped my question, Timothy's face went all kinds of awkward. After a brief staredown, he actually turned his face away, dodging my gaze. It was like his instinct was screaming. “Abort mission!”

And there was a hint of guilt in that evasion.

The more | thought about it, the fishier it seemed. Thinking back to when we bumped into each other behind the fan club or that random meetup at the gallery, it hit me like a ton of bricks—a theory | had previously tossed out was creeping back into my head.

This trip to Pinecrest Hollow, Hogan and | were all eyes on the guest list, and we followed that trail straight to Sean, but Sean was acting all kinds of weird, nothing like Timothy who was a pro at keeping his tracks covered.

And they both just happened to show up at Pinecrest Hollow at the same time and both stayed at Lucky Star. While Sean’d been here, the most upstanding thing he’d done was try to pick up chicks, not a hint of hiking or mountain climbing. But that was exactly what was on the resume of the guy in front of me.

Realizing this, | looked at Timothy in shock and tested the waters, “So, you’re FreeMan?”

At that, Timothy’s face froze, and after a few seconds, he let out a sigh of defeat, “Xaviera, you're really smart.” Now | was the one lost for words.

He, he was actually the elusive FreeMan we'd been chasing down!”

But this guy had been throwing me off his scent left and right, putting on quite the show.

For a moment, | didn’t know whether to be ticked off or relieved.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

Timothy waved me over to a nearby cafe.

When we were sitting face to face, my mind was still a jumble.

Who would’ve thought, the legendary original artist FreeMan, tearing up the scene,

That meant he was a natural—born talent, a young gun with fame and a future as bright as it gets.

“Still mad, Xaviera?” Timothy cautiously slid a juice my way, with an apologetic tone, “Sorry, I’m just really not into mixing business with personal life.”

Looking at his boyish face, | couldn’t help but laugh. | laid it out straight, “Since you're the legendary FreeMan, you probably know why I’m here, right?”

“Yeah.”

“We've been in touch these past few days, so I’m sure you've got a handle on our project and the team,” | said patiently, “What do you think, is there a chance we could work together?”

With anyone else, even Sean, | could've dangled a carrot, because Sean was all business, but with Timothy, | didn’t have the heart or the guts..

Being the scion of the Temple family, a young talent with fame to his name, he’s got enough to stand tall without bowing to profits. So all that negotiation mumbo jumbo. wouldn’t cut it with him..

Might as well keep it simple and cut to the chase.

Timothy saw the real deal in my approach. Ditching his usual jesting demeanor, he got serious, “Xaviera, | don’t want to lose you as a friend.”

That was a no-go.

Even though I had braced myself, hearing Timothy say no still pulled at my heartstrings.

“No room for negotiation?” | curled my fingers, hoping for one last shot.

“Xaviera,” Timothy’s gaze was piercing, no trace of jest in those beautiful eyes, “Can you call the shots for the investors?”

He laid it out crystal clear.

Gotta hand it to him, young as he is, Timothy cuts right to the chase.

Yep, he knew all too well that if he joined our crew, the biggest clash would likely be between Hogan the investor and the founding members of our project.

Smart cookie, he saw that coming from a mile away and wasn’t about to wade into that mess. At this point, talking more was useless. | just had to say. “Alright. | respect your

decision.”