I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 90

"If our credit line really gets cut off, we'll face bankruptcy. Please, Mr. Thorne, have mercy and give the Lynd family a break."

Hayden listened to his rambling and casually remarked.

"I don't know the bank you're talking about."

With that single sentence, Philip almost dropped to his knees.

He bowed low, practically ready to open the car door for Hayden, completely stripped of any dignity expected of a corporate president.

Standing at a distance, Zoe had no idea what Philip was saying to Hayden, but an inexplicable sense of unease gnawed at her.

"Mr. Thorne, Zoe has been terribly spoiled since she was a child. If she ever steps out of line—"

Philip paused, hardening his heart.

"Don't hold back."

Hayden raised an eyebrow, his expression dripping with absolute disdain.

Hah—

So this was the Lynd family.

He thought they'd have some backbone, but a single phone call from him had them terrified out of their minds.

"It's not the first time you've sold out your niece. Instead of wasting time begging me, you'd be better off—"

Hayden glanced behind Philip.

Zoe was already hurrying over.

"Begging Mrs. Thorne."

The car door slid shut. Philip stood frozen in absolute shock, as if he had just been handed the most incredible news in the world. His expression was a complicated mix of disbelief and an undeniable, sour jealousy.

He turned around, and sure enough, Zoe was right in front of him.

"Uncle, what were you just talking about with Hayden?"

The black luxury van was sealed tight, its windows tinted with heavy privacy glass. Hayden was already in the backseat, and Zoe couldn't see his face at all.

It took Philip a long moment to snap out of it. He stared at Zoe's beautiful face.

"Zoe—"

He grabbed her shoulders, clearly thrilled.

Zoe didn't understand what he meant.

However, she had her suspicions.

Why didn't Philip keep Grandmother Eleanor at home to care for her, instead of sending her to a place like this?

No matter how nice it was, being away from family had to be heartbreaking for the old woman.

To think it was actually Hayden who arranged all this.

Thinking of how good her uncle had been to her, and the rumors she had heard about her own behavior over the past five years, Zoe felt a wave of shame.

"Don't worry, Uncle Philip. I'll come visit her often. But no matter how nice this place is, it's not home. Have you thought about bringing her back?"

Philip's face instantly drained of color.

The flash of panic was so brief that Zoe didn't even notice.

He gripped Zoe's shoulders tightly, speaking in a profound, earnest tone.

"You don't need to visit here often. You have your own things to focus on. Just remember, take good care of Mr. Thorne. Be obedient, don't be stubborn, and leave your grandmother to me. Don't worry."