I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 424

After listening to the professor's frantic explanation, Garrett thought for a moment. "I understand."

Ending the call, Garrett turned to Zoe. "The Global Science Review sent you an invitation. Are you seriously not going?"

Both Timothy and Hayden instantly looked at her.

Zoe didn't know how to explain herself. She didn't want to go because she couldn't remember writing the paper.

If she had to give a speech, what on earth was she supposed to say?

"How about this? If you're feeling anxious about it, I'll go with you," Garrett offered gently.

His words earned a sharp, chilling side-eye from Hayden.

The corner of Hayden's mouth twitched downward, his expression growing exceptionally dark.

Timothy was floored. He knew exactly how prestigious The Global Science Review was. Barely anyone in the country had ever qualified for their stage, and to think Zoe was one of them?

"Your paper was published in The Global Science Review? That's an incredible opportunity! Why would you turn that down? Was it published this year?"

He was completely captivated. A woman this brilliant—how had he never heard of her before?

Zoe offered a modest smile. "It's been about three years."

Timothy's jaw nearly hit the floor.

They all kept a close eye on the journal, but they had never connected any of the authors to Zoe.

The publications used English pseudonyms, keeping the authors' true identities a mystery.

"May I ask what pen name you used?"

Timothy asked, his tone laced with deep respect.

Zoe hesitated for a moment before replying softly, "Lily."

Timothy went dead silent.

The sheer magnitude of the shock left him entirely speechless.

The elusive, brilliant Lily. Half the industry speculated that the author was a Silicon Valley tech titan. No one even knew if Lily was a man or a woman.

Hayden noticed the sheer awe in Timothy's eyes as he stared at Zoe, and his own gaze grew dangerously dark.

"I have something to take care of. Excuse me."

Hayden's face darkened with fury, as if he had just been slapped in public. The terrifying tension rolling off of him was impossible to ignore.

Thinking he had somehow offended the man, Timothy quickly stood up.

"Commander Thorne, let me walk you out."

Hayden completely ignored his polite gesture, storming out of the cafeteria with long, aggressive strides.

Timothy scrambled to catch up, leaving Zoe bewildered in their wake.

Garrett, having seen right through the facade, found the whole situation highly amusing.

Judging by Hayden's reaction... he was definitely jealous.

"Psycho," Zoe muttered, finally taking a breath.

Hayden's sudden mood swings and the suffocating pressure he brought into the room definitely threw her off balance. She had no idea what had triggered his sudden rage, but the moment he left, it felt as if the sun had come out from behind the clouds.

"Let's just eat. Have some more."