I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 87

Hunter stared at the old woman angrily pointing at him, his hands balling into tight fists.

He had gone from being the young master of the Keating family to building a business empire recognized globally. Even the top business tycoons in the city respectfully addressed him as 'Mr. Keating.'

Hunter clenched and unclenched his fists, bypassing Hayden's gaze as he set the supplements down.

Just as Zoe was about to speak up for Hunter, a strong arm wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her close.

Hunter saw it clearly. He wanted to explode, but he had no ground to stand on.

"Grandmother, I'm Hunter."

He was seething, but Hayden sat there shamelessly, casually flicking his lighter open and shut with a sharp, metallic click, without a single word of rebuttal.

Instead of stopping her rant, Grandmother Eleanor only doubled down.

"Where did this stray dog come from, trying to claim he's my grandson-in-law? There's security here, you know. Believe it or not, I'll have them throw you out. Get out of here—"

Her eyes were full of contempt. With Hayden right there, Zoe didn't dare step in to defend Hunter.

She knew all too well how ruthless this man could be behind closed doors, and she wanted to avoid provoking him at all costs.

Hayden watched the entire spectacle with leisurely amusement.

Hunter's pride couldn't take it anymore.

"Hayden, Zoe, Grandmother is confused."

Hayden scoffed coldly and finally spoke.

"So you remember how to address us now?"

It was obvious that even though he was being falsely accused, Hunter didn't want to leave.

Grandmother Eleanor was his only hope of winning Zoe back.

He could tell the old lady had a stellar impression of him.

Hayden cut the older woman off. "I'm Hayden."

The old lady's scolding stopped abruptly. She stared in shock at the man standing beside Zoe, looking like the perfect match for her granddaughter.

After a long moment, she shook her head. "Impossible. You look far too perfect with our Zoe."

Zoe finally understood what was wrong with her grandmother.

Hunter had assumed that coming back this time, he would at least be on somewhat equal footing with Hayden, if not entirely his equal.

But with just one casual glance from Hayden, who was absentmindedly playing with his lighter, Hunter was already breaking out in a cold sweat.

Just like five years ago, Hayden had wrapped his arm around Zoe with absolute, undeniable authority, speaking to Hunter as if issuing a direct command.

"Zoe is mine now. You address her accordingly. Understand?"

Those words had been his driving force for five grueling years.

Every time he faced a hardship or a corporate crisis, the memory of Hayden's cold, menacing voice fueled him.

He was determined to wash away the humiliation of five years ago. He would never let Hayden look down on him again.

He wouldn't just accept having his woman stolen, even if Hayden was his family.

Hayden looked at him disdainfully, his slightly husky voice carrying the unyielding arrogance of a superior.

"When are you planning to leave?"

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over Hunter's head, chilling him to the bone.