I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 581

Zoe scoffed coldly. "You extorted my assistant for five years, siphoning off billions. Don't play innocent. You'd better cough up every last cent."

Sienna froze. She had always assumed Zoe was too blindly in love with Hayden to ever come after her for that money.

"What about Hayden? Is he only worth that much to you? If you force me to pay you back, he'll turn on you in a heartbeat," Sienna threatened, though her voice lacked its usual conviction.

Zoe let out a dry, mocking laugh.

"Ms. Winters, you're delusional. Hayden isn't worth a fraction of that—what is he, monopoly money? Since you don't know where to find the funds, let me lay it out for you. I don't want Easton's dirty money. I want Winters Group's assets. Liquidate whatever real estate and properties your family holds. I want it all in cash, or a direct wire transfer. Make sure to note that it's the principal you owe me. Factor in five years of interest at the maximum legal rate, and your grand total comes to thirteen billion dollars. The clock is ticking, and I'll be waiting."

A maid arrived right on cue, setting down a plate of pastries. Zoe picked one up and took a delicate bite as Sienna practically exploded.

"Thirteen billion?! Are you out of your mind, Zoe? That's highway robbery! I don't have that kind of cash, and I'm certainly not selling off Winters Group! Besides, the company belongs to my father and the board of directors. I don't have the authority to—"

Zoe cut her off ruthlessly.

"Let's drop the act. I shouldn't even be calling you Ms. Winters. The legal representation of Winters Group was transferred to you months ago. You can't hide your digital footprint. You ousted your own father from the board and seized total control of the company. Sure, Winters Group is a small fry compared to the real industry titans, but it still has a few billion in tangible assets. Liquidate a few high-rises and you'll have my money. I shouldn't need to teach you how to sell off real estate."

Sienna stared at Zoe in absolute horror, as if seeing her true face for the very first time.

Sienna's face turned white as a sheet. "What is that supposed to mean? You think you can hold me hostage? What are you, a mob boss?"

Zoe couldn't be bothered to waste another breath on her. She pulled out a thick stack of printed bank records, detailing every single extortion payment transferred under the name 'Cheery'—every transaction crystal clear.

"Unless you draft a legally binding IOU with the interest rate and a strict repayment deadline right now, you aren't stepping foot off this estate."

As if on cue, a dozen towering, heavily muscled bodyguards assigned by the Kendall family stepped out of the shadows. They formed an impenetrable wall behind Sienna, their expressions radiating lethal intent. Sienna had always looked down on Zoe and had barged in completely unprepared, utterly convinced she could use Hayden to bend Zoe to her will. She never expected that trump card to shatter in her face.