I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 164

He never expected—

That she would actually run off here with some random man.

Hayden felt a surge of extreme displeasure. Sensing his shift in mood, Sienna, who had been basking in the envy and admiration of the crowd, looked at him with slight panic and set down her cocktail.

"Hayden, where are you going?"

His voice was completely flat. "Yeah—"

He didn't give her a straight answer.

Scanning the room for Zoe, he found that she had completely vanished.

Garrett had taken Zoe straight over to his old professor.

"Professor, I brought someone to meet you."

Professor Alistair Layne had initially maintained his stiff, scholarly demeanor, but the moment he saw Zoe, his hand trembled so much he nearly spilled his drink.

Catching his own slip, his expression instantly turned warm and eager.

Zoe offered a polite nod, speaking with perfect manners.

"Hello, Professor Layne."

Shock aside, the professor suddenly seemed to understand something.

Straightening his posture, he asked, "And who might this be?"

Garrett replied, "This is Ms. Lynd, the one who wrote the security protocols I mentioned."

"A pleasure to meet you. So young and talented."

The professor piled on the praise.

A few people Garrett knew happened to approach, clearly wanting to chat with him.

He politely excused himself to the professor. "Ms. Lynd is brilliant in this field, and Professor Layne is an absolute expert in AI. Zoe, why don't you two chat for a bit? I'll be right back."

Zoe had no idea why Garrett had introduced her to him.

But everyone here today was a major player, and she didn't want to make him look bad.

As soon as Garrett walked away, Professor Layne leaned in close.

"Zoe, you aren't even part of the tech department. What are you doing here? Professor Layne, I apologize if my employee is bothering you. If you have any questions, you can discuss them with me."

The professor stared at Sienna in sheer confusion.

The woman was dressed like a runway model, which he strongly disliked.

This was a cutting-edge academic exhibition showcasing top-tier technology. Having women walking around in revealing outfits turned a serious industry into a circus.

Did every profession really need this kind of vulgarity?

Sienna confidently handed over her business card.

"Sienna Winters, Vice President of Easton Group. I oversee our AI division. Professor Layne, shall we find somewhere quiet to talk?"

He didn't take the card, his face displaying open arrogance.

"When it comes to Easton Group, I only deal with Hayden Thorne. If you have business with me, send him over."

With that, he turned a beaming smile back to Zoe, careful not to act too familiar.

"Ms. Lynd, shall we chat over there?"