I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 353

Zoe sat motionless, her expression blank.

The veins in Garrett's forehead pulsed. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to slowly release the tension before standing up without a word.

Marcus Zimmerman, the lead attorney for Sterling Group, pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and stared at Julian with a sharp, humorless smile.

"Mr. Winters, we are here to discuss the project's advancement with Mr. Thorne. If you lack the authority to make executive decisions, kindly stop wasting our time. Mr. Kendall's hourly rate is easily a hundred times what your entire position is worth. If you continue this childish provocation, I will personally file a lawsuit against you on his behalf."

At the word 'lawsuit,' Julian practically exploded.

"You Kendall lapdog, are you addicted to suing people? My brother-in-law is Hayden Thorne. What the hell do you think you can do to me?"

Zoe's expression turned absolutely frigid.

"You really think Hayden can shield you forever?"

Julian smirked, completely dismissing her warning.

"The fact that I'm sitting right here proves it, doesn't it?"

Garrett and Zoe had heard enough. They stood up, preparing to leave.

Right on cue, Hayden and Sienna strolled into the room.

Sienna was holding a brand-new handbag from The Marquis Collection, easily worth seven figures. The two of them looked sickeningly intimate. Julian hadn't lied—Hayden really had just taken her on a luxury shopping spree.

Seeing them arrive, Julian puffed out his chest.

"Mr. Thorne, it seems they don't care to work with us anymore if they're throwing tantrums just because you sent me to entertain them."

The first phase of the project had gone smoothly, and Garrett had originally wanted to maintain the partnership simply to avoid the massive headache of onboarding a new tech firm.

But looking at the circus in front of him, he realized it wasn't worth the effort.

Hayden took a seat. Julian immediately pulled his feet off the table, his posture turning rigid and respectful. He didn't dare act like a punk in front of Hayden.

Sienna directed a flawless, apologetic smile at Garrett.

"Mr. Kendall, I am so sorry. I was having a bit of a rough morning, and Hayden took me shopping to clear my head, so we're running late. Of course Easton Group still wants to collaborate. Let's all sit down and talk."

Garrett's gaze cut straight to Julian. "Non-essential personnel need to leave."

Julian bristled, ready to argue, but Sienna's face darkened first.

She maintained her polite smile. "Julian is the new Vice President of Easton Group. He has every right to be informed about this project. Do you have some sort of personal vendetta against him, Mr. Kendall?"

"It seems Mr. Thorne lacks the sincerity required for a partnership of this magnitude. Given your blatant disregard for security protocols and your willingness to let an employee nearly cause a catastrophic data leak, Sterling Group is officially terminating this collaboration."

Hayden's expression hardened into something lethal.

As far as he was concerned, Garrett was only blowing up this massive deal because of Zoe.

Garrett's constant, overbearing need to protect her rubbed Hayden raw.

"Mr. Kendall, if you insist on dragging your personal feelings for a woman into the boardroom, I highly question your professional competence in this industry."

Garrett didn't give an inch. No matter what Hayden said, there was zero chance of this partnership moving forward.

"Perhaps we'll work together in the future when your house is in order."

Zoe stood up with him, having not spoken a single word the entire time.

Sienna couldn't believe Garrett was actually being this petty.

After their press conference, Easton Group's stock had skyrocketed to a decade high. As a major shareholder, Sienna was practically swimming in cash.

If this collaboration went through, her personal dividends alone would secure her a spot in the elite billionaires club.