I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 492

Hayden didn't back down. He lifted his cup and took a slow sip.

"Don't mention it."

On the surface, the two men were exchanging polite toasts, the picture of harmony. Only Timothy could sense the underlying venom.

No matter how he looked at it, Commander Thorne's vibe screamed malice.

Garrett didn't look the least bit grateful; he looked like a hostage.

Yanked back from a tropical vacation... Timothy froze. Was Garrett on vacation with Zoe?

Zoe was nearing her due date, and Garrett was by her side?

What the hell was her legal husband playing at?

Watching them silently wage war, Timothy felt his brain short-circuit.

Did the Commander care about his wife or not?

If he cared, why would he let his heavily pregnant wife jet off with a close family friend while he stayed behind?

If he didn't care, why go through this elaborate scheme to drag Garrett back? Timothy was completely lost.

Before he could untangle the mess, Hayden struck again.

"I heard you were vacationing abroad with your god-sister. I hope I didn't ruin the fun."

Garrett practically cursed out loud at Hayden's shameless, passive-aggressive probing.

Hayden was a master manipulator. Garrett would never reach that level of sheer audacity.

"God-sister?"

Jasper caught the phrase and looked at Garrett with sparked interest.

Now that business was out of the way, a little gossip was a great way to bridge the gap and lighten the mood.

Tristan looked curious too. Garrett shot a deadly glare at Hayden, but Hayden remained completely unbothered, acting as if he hadn't just thrown a live grenade into the room.

"Yeah. Exactly what it sounds like."

Garrett didn't deny it. Under Jasper's sharp gaze, lying was pointless.

"Having a god-sister in a military marriage is an honorable thing. If she's talented, she's an asset to the country. It proves our boys in uniform still have great taste. But Garrett, fondness is one thing, respect is another. Treat her well. The military's disciplinary codes are unforgiving. You don't want to cross that line."

Jasper issued the warning earnestly.

He truly believed Hayden was trying to save Garrett, and as a leader, he felt obligated to keep a promising young executive on the straight and narrow.

Garrett maintained his deep respect for the Commissioner.

"Absolutely. She's a wonderful person who was dealt a terrible hand. Her husband is a complete bastard. If my family wasn't protecting her, her life would be a living hell."

Timothy watched the crossfire of thinly veiled insults between Garrett and Hayden in sheer terror.

Sebastian, Tristan, and Jasper all sensed the heavy toxicity radiating in the room.

Hearing Garrett's blatant, public attack, Hayden's face immediately darkened to a storm.

Terrified of the situation escalating, Timothy frantically jumped in to play peacemaker.

"Garrett, Commander, let's not get off track. Jasper barely has time in his schedule as it is. Let's keep things light.