I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 369

Zoe merely gave a faint, polite smile when she saw Hayden, showing no intention of greeting him.

Hayden completely ignored the slight.

"Someone wanted to ask you a few technical questions. I have them saved on my phone, and I was hoping you might take a look."

Hayden held his phone out toward Alistair. Zoe wasn't deaf; even if she refused to acknowledge Hayden, she heard every word perfectly.

The "someone" he was referring to was obviously Sienna.

Alistair scoffed loudly. He didn't move an inch, completely ignoring the offered phone.

"Mr. Thorne, with your vast network, why would you ever need the help of a washed-up old man like me? Besides, I've already taken Zoe on as my final, exclusive protégé. I don't have the time or the patience to solve other people's problems."

Hayden's hand hovered awkwardly in the air. Seeing Alistair's absolute refusal, he smiled faintly, smoothly defusing his own embarrassment as he calmly put the phone away.

"It's not really a problem, just a request for guidance. Easton Group is about to launch The Domestic Care Bot, but we've hit a few technical roadblocks. We were hoping you might offer some insight."

Hayden spoke with genuine respect, but Alistair couldn't care less.

"I don't have the skills to guide you. Easton is a corporate titan in the city's elite. Even a powerhouse like Sterling is currently being dragged through the courts by you. I'm just an old man; please don't drag me into your mess."

Hayden shot a subtle, calculating look at Zoe, his gaze implying that she must have complained about him to the professor.

"The legal dispute was entirely due to Sterling breaching the contract first. I'm not trying to target them; I'm simply following standard legal procedures. Besides, I've already decided to withdraw the lawsuit."

Only upon hearing that did Zoe mercifully grant him a glance. It lasted barely three seconds before she looked away.

She saw right through it. Hayden knew Sebastian and Timothy. Once he realized Sterling's next partner was the national government, there was no way he could continue the lawsuit.

Hayden was a brilliant businessman, and Easton's success relied heavily on government compliance. Suing Sterling now meant declaring war on the state itself.

So, it wasn't Hayden discovering his conscience; it was Hayden realizing he couldn't touch Garrett.

A cold, cynical smirk tugged at the corner of Zoe's lips. Hayden's devotion to Sienna truly knew no bounds.

Alistair waved his hand dismissively.

"Don't tell me about it. I don't own the company. Whether you sue them or not is none of my business. I'm busy chatting with my goddaughter. Mr. Thorne, shouldn't you go back and keep your true love company? Why are you cornering an old man?"

Seeing that Alistair had zero interest in speaking with him, Hayden finally stood up.

He was thick-skinned, but even he knew pushing any further would only end in total humiliation.

Just as Hayden turned to leave, Alistair suddenly called out.

"Mr. Thorne, if you really want technical guidance, you should ask my goddaughter. She's an absolute master in this field. If the person who sent you is willing to publicly beg for her forgiveness and grovel at her feet, I might reconsider and offer a pointer or two. How about that?"

Alistair was blatantly making a fool out of him, yet Hayden listened with complete seriousness. When Alistair finished, Hayden gave a solemn nod, his gaze fixed respectfully on the professor.

"Understood."

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