I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 248

Everyone at the table could see exactly how much Hayden doted on Sienna.

They were exhausted just from being jealous.

"Since when do superiors and subordinates at Apex Corporation make friends?"

Hayden, who had been sitting in stoic silence while accompanying his rumored girlfriend, finally broke his quiet streak.

His sudden voice startled everyone at the table.

The executives from both Apex and Easton Group could see it clearly.

Mr. Thorne and Vice President Winters were an item.

And it seemed Mr. Stone and Director Lynd were a couple as well.

The difference was that everyone knew Zoe was a married woman with a child.

Her relationship with Mr. Stone was considered an extramarital affair.

Vice President Winters, on the other hand, was a widow, which in today's society meant she was single.

If she truly got together with Mr. Thorne, it wouldn't draw malicious gossip. Instead, people would sigh at the rocky road of their romance and offer sympathy. If it blossomed into marriage, everyone would enviously praise it as true love finding a way.

The nature of the two relationships was entirely different.

Garrett didn't take Hayden's mockery to heart at all.

Instead, he fired back with a tease.

"Aren't you and Vice President Winters quite close as well, Mr. Thorne? Director Lynd and I are superiors and subordinates, colleagues, and friends. Your situation is entirely different. You two are family—a brother-in-law and sister-in-law. No matter how you spin it, that doesn't sound great to the public."

Hayden's predatory gaze turned somber, and the tension was so thick that Sienna suddenly found the shrimp on her plate entirely tasteless.

Was Garrett out of his mind? Humiliating her and Hayden in public just to defend Zoe?

"Mr. Stone, I already explained my relationship with Hayden when we dined with Professor Layne," Sienna said shamelessly. Garrett found her utterly revolting.

He wasn't one to attack people unprovoked, but he couldn't stand dirty secrets.

"Oh? Then who exactly is Mr. Thorne's wife? I'd really prefer to hear it straight from him."

The entire table fell completely silent.

Mr. Thorne was married too?

They were stunned.

Hayden tossed aside the last shrimp he had peeled and elegantly wiped his fingertips with a wet napkin.

His eyes flickered with a complex, dark undercurrent, and his tone was blatantly hostile.

"My private life is no one's business. I don't have to answer that."

Garrett smiled. "Then my friendship with Director Lynd doesn't need any commentary either. Mr. Thorne, we are business partners on the clock. Off the clock, we mind our own business."

Garrett made himself perfectly clear.

If you don't mess with my people, I won't mess with yours.

But to Hayden's ears, this was the ultimate declaration of Garrett's fierce protectiveness over Zoe.

Zoe had told him that if she ever got pregnant, the baby wouldn't be his.

So, if she really was pregnant...

It would be Garrett's.

The atmosphere at the table was suffocatingly tense. Sensing the impending explosion, the executives made up excuses and fled before even finishing their meals.

When two titans clashed, they would only become collateral damage.

The dinner ended on a disastrous note.

"I've got news. The investigation you asked for regarding Sienna's funds? I found a solid lead."

Zoe raised an eyebrow. Hundreds of millions of dollars. She couldn't fathom how that woman planned to spend it all in one lifetime.

"Where did she spend the money?"

Sienna was so jealous that she even wanted to snatch a car, forcing Hayden to buy it for her.

Given Sienna's personality, Zoe thought she'd be too arrogant to hide it.

Nadia sounded both excited and puzzled.

"I couldn't trace all of it, but a massive chunk was transferred overseas. This is as far as I can track. Once it hits offshore accounts, it's out of my jurisdiction."

Zoe frowned.

Did this mean Sienna hadn't just been playing the quiet, dutiful widow all these years?

"This is more than enough."

"By the way, I heard you've been hanging out with Mr. Stone from your company. Are you playing the 'second male lead' trope?"

"No. I'm just using him to annoy Hayden, and Mr. Stone is happy to play along."

That jerk always assumed she loved him so much she'd die for him. How was she acting like that at all?

He kept bringing up her amnesia. She was sick of hearing it.

"Mr. Stone is a great catch. Want to consider him?"

Zoe laughed. "If he's so great, I'll introduce him to you. Besides, Asher doesn't understand you anyway."

"...Ouch, that hit a nerve. Alright, alright, I'm going back to work."

Zoe suddenly stopped her. "Nadia, do you remember the contents of the prenuptial agreement Hayden and I read in front of our friends and relatives before we got married?"