I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 521

Ethan's insinuation was deliberate, intentionally twisting the nature of Garrett and Zoe's bond. Hayden waited in silence for an answer, but Zoe couldn't take the disrespect anymore. She snapped at Ethan, though her words were clearly meant for Hayden.

"Only a man with a filthy mind would assume everyone else is just as depraved. What do you think, Mr. Thorne?"

Zoe redirected Ethan's insult straight at Hayden. Ethan felt completely blindsided. He had specifically called out Garrett, so why was Zoe rushing so desperately to defend her lover?

Even if Hayden was her ex-husband, did she really need to step on him to elevate Garrett? For five years, she had clung to Hayden like a lifeline, acting as if she couldn't breathe without him. The speed at which she had turned her back on him was sickening.

Before Ethan could voice his outrage, Hayden let out a cold scoff. "I'm afraid Mr. Kendall won't get the chance to play the role of the convenient stepdad. Since we have so many guests here tonight, Mr. Kendall, why don't we raise the stakes?"

Hayden's predatory expression sent a chill down Zoe's spine. Her instincts screamed that he was brewing something incredibly destructive.

Zoe stepped in front of Garrett, terrified that a direct confrontation with Hayden would end badly for him.

But Garrett had no intention of backing down. He met Hayden's gaze with a relaxed, confident smile.

If Zoe only saw him as a brotherly figure, he would have loved nothing more than to take Hayden outside and settle this man-to-man a long time ago.

When words failed between men, a physical resolution wasn't entirely off the table.

"Alright. How do you want to play, Mr. Thorne? Or should I say..."

Garrett's voice dropped, carrying a dangerous edge. "How do you want to play, Commander Thorne?"

Others might have been terrified of Hayden's background, but for the sake of Zoe and her children, Garrett was willing to take on any challenge Hayden threw his way.

Seeing Garrett answer so readily, without a flicker of hesitation, Hayden's expression darkened even further.

He had underestimated Zoe. Her usual tricks might not have worked on him, but a man like Garrett had taken the bait effortlessly.

Hayden didn't know whether to admire his little wife's manipulation skills or laugh at her for finding someone foolish enough to throw himself against a brick wall.

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