I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 426

Sienna kept them in suspense, flashing a sickeningly proud smile. "You'll find out at the ceremony."

She purposefully shifted her gaze to Zoe. "I didn't expect you to be interested in something like this. But I heard you're Professor Layne's protégé. You really should be here to take notes and learn."

Professor Layne was ready to explode and verbally tear her to shreds. I'm a founding pioneer of this industry, and I was honored just to have my name attached to Zoe's paper! Who the hell does she need to learn from?

"I'm not here to learn," Zoe replied coldly.

Garrett immediately stepped in, cutting the conversation short.

"Mr. Thorne, we just got off a long flight and need to rest. We won't interrupt your evening any longer."

Hayden hadn't uttered a single word. He didn't seem to care why Zoe was there, nor did he ask.

He simply gave Garrett a cold, indifferent nod.

"Right."

Professor Layne spun on his heel and marched toward the elevators, treating them like a walking plague.

Sienna sneered.

"Zoe really knows how to kiss up to the right people. Ever since she latched onto the Kendall family, she's been scooping up every resource in sight. Even someone as highly regarded as Professor Layne took the bait. Tsk."

She watched Hayden carefully, trying to gauge his reaction.

"Her business has nothing to do with us."

Sienna smiled in triumph, clutching his arm tighter. "Of course not."

Hayden walked with her into their shared suite, and the door clicked shut behind them.

The following day, the awards ceremony was packed with the most brilliant minds in the global academic community.

Most of the attendees dressed in understated, elegant attire—a sharp contrast to the flashy, ostentatious glamour of elite high society.

Hayden and Sienna were seated in the prestigious front row. Zoe and Garrett, however, were seated further back in the middle section, while Professor Layne had his own designated seat elsewhere.

Even Sienna was leaning forward in anticipation. But when Cherry stepped out in her brisk, professional stride, Sienna relaxed, a victorious, knowing smirk playing on her lips.

Just as I thought.

Cherry stood at the podium, accepting the trophy on behalf of Lily. She clearly stated that she was not Lily, but merely her assistant and spokesperson.

A wave of disappointment rippled through the crowd. Sienna, however, remained completely still, her eyes locked on the stage, her smile deepening with immense satisfaction.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit, inconspicuous corner of the auditorium, a man in a sharp black suit slipped in unnoticed, guided by his bodyguards.

He was Kaelen Voss.

With his striking smoke-gray hair, a high, aristocratic nose, and the distinct features of mixed Eastern and Western heritage, he carried an undeniable, dangerous charm.

The silver earring in his left ear caught the light. He sat with his long legs crossed, a predatory smirk playing on his lips. His sharp gaze immediately locked onto Zoe, who was sitting beside Garrett.

A bodyguard leaned in and whispered something. The man gave a subtle nod, and the bodyguard quickly vanished back into the shadows.