I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 8

Valerie had always seethed with jealousy over the coffee arrangement. She had tried to intercept the task multiple times, but whenever it was time to deliver the drink, some vice president or department head would mysteriously summon her away to do something else.

And every single time, the orders came directly through Colin.

She could ignore anyone else, but she didn't dare cross the CEO's top assistant.

Now, Valerie gleefully brewed a masterpiece she was incredibly proud of, carrying it toward the CEO's office like she'd won the lottery.

She knocked on the heavy oak door.

Colin opened it and blinked in surprise.

"What are you doing here?"

Valerie smiled brightly, her usual sharp demeanor replaced with sickening sweetness.

"I brought Mr. Thorne's coffee. I spent three months studying the craft. I'd love for him to try it."

Hearing an unfamiliar voice, Hayden looked up.

The rich, robust aroma of premium espresso filled the room.

Anyone who appreciated coffee could immediately tell these were freshly ground, top-tier beans.

Hayden's expression instantly darkened.

Valerie waited eagerly for his praise, but Hayden's voice was like ice.

"Who told you to waste three months learning to make coffee?"

Valerie froze.

Hadn't Zoe spent her vacation learning to make coffee just to impress him?

And she had been making it for five years without a single complaint!

She had heard whispers that he loved Zoe's coffee.

That was exactly why she was so desperate to steal the job.

Everyone knew Zoe was just trying to seduce him; her intentions were obvious.

Colin shuddered just thinking about it.

Before he could ramble further, Hayden cut him off.

"If you have that much free time on your hands, why don't you go scrub some coal until it turns white, and then come back to work."

Colin snapped his mouth shut. It was a beautifully wrapped insult telling him to mind his own damn business.

He was just trying to help!

The boss was clearly pissed that his wife had left the building. Colin was the only person in the entire Easton Group who knew Zoe was secretly Mrs. Thorne.

Over the years, he had seen how deeply she loved her husband, and how brilliantly capable she was. It was just a shame Hayden didn't feel the same.

Valerie scurried out of the CEO's office looking thoroughly humiliated.

Her expression was so tragic that several employees started whispering, assuming she had made a catastrophic error.

Seeing Colin still standing there awkwardly, Hayden didn't even look up. "Get the hell out."