The night grew darker as Mason grew more disheartened……Zoe’s shop was located at a strategic location in Skyline Galleria. It was right by the entrance. It was more than two thousand square feet and had a flow to it. Just the right sort of setup for a dessert spot. It was undergoing renovation by a famously expensive contractor. Ella was inspecting the site with her. She went through the bill and gasped, “The rental costs us two million dollars per annum and the renovation alone costs us another five million. “Even with the advantage of the location, the crowd here could only bring in twenty million dollars in profit per annum. And that’s a best-case scenario. How long is it going to take before we break even?”Zoe ran her hand across the wall and said softly, “We’re not using this spot to bring in profits! We’re going to build our brand with it, so we could franchise it out. Once our brand is strong, we won’t need to splurge on a location as strategic and wide as this one is.
By the time Mason arrived at Skyline Galleria, it was half past six in the evening. Barbara was sitting on the bench in front of Zoe’s soon-to-be dessert spot, eating a hot dog Ella bought her. She saw Mason and told him that it tasted delicious and that he should set up a hot dog joint.He wasn’t sure if he should be upset or amused. Closing the car door, he walked over to his grandma, crouched, and said in a deep voice. “Do you how many doctors and nurses were searching for you because you ran away from the hospital? Yet, here you are, eating a hot dog on the curbside like a child.”Then, he took away her hot dog.Barbara was unhappy about it. So, she swiped the hot dog from him and said, “I’m here to see my grandaughter-in-law!”Zoe remained quiet.He stared at her for a second before standing up and looking at Zoe instead. They might’ve stood near to each other, but they felt awkward nonetheless. They were divorced, after all.Then, she handed him the jewelry box. “Grandma
The next day, Zoe made her way to Lockwood Corporation. She passed the jewelry box to Ava and asked her to give it to Mason. Ava hesitated a while before asking, “Perhaps you should talk things over with Mr. Mason? I’ve been with him for the past few days and I can tell he hasn’t stopped thinking about you.”Zoe shook her head with a smile. “We’re divorced. So, it’s really not necessary!”Ava watched as she left and pondered. It seemed that Zoe had truly moved on from Mason.Making her way to the top floor, she entered his office and gave the jewelry box to him.He ran his finger across its surface gently and asked softly, “Did she have a message for me?”She shook her head in response, “She didn’t say anything.”After a brief moment, he said lightly, “You may leave now!”He touched the box again after Ava left. He had tried to treat Zoe well and made a lot of efforts after the divorce, but she didn’t want it. Not his efforts and certainly not his gifts.She had moved on from
Zoe watched as Rosemary left. A waiter passed by and Farley grabbed two glasses of champagne. He gave one of the glasses to Zoe and couldn’t resist taking in her beauty.She wore a form-fitting black dress and a black jumper over it for tonight’s occasion. Her black hair was tied at the back, exuding a feminine charm!He couldn’t help but say, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone as beautiful and stylish as you, Zoe!”She smiled in response. “You’re too kind, Farley!”It was true he wanted to set up some businesses in Brookesville, but it’d be a long time before it happened. So, he made a proposal to her. “Are you interested in taking your business to Silvercrest? I can sponsor you.”She was slightly stunned. She hadn't counted on that. After some contemplation, she smiled lightly, “My family stays in Brookesville. So, I won’t be moving out for the time being.”Farley sighed in response. He was reaching forty years old. His wife died in an accident a few years back an
Rosemary arranged for her chauffeur to drive Zoe home when the dinner party ended.She noticed a black Land Rover parked at the entrance the moment she got out of the car. Liam was leaning on his car, breathing out a puff of smoke. Instead of a cigar, he smoked an ordinary cigarette instead.He saw her and walked over to give her a document. “It’s about Noah’s case. The court date has been pushed back by two months!”Her fingers were trembling slightly when she took the document. “How did this happen?”Taking a big puff, he said, “I asked around, but they wouldn’t say why! I suggest you ask Mason about it, Zoe. He might have more information on the matter.” He paused briefly before continuing, “There’s nothing I can do if some things are done outside the confines of the law, but Mason can do it without lifting his finger.”She raised her eyes abruptly. Underneath the street light’s dim illumination, her face turned pale. Liam knew it was cruel to tell her that, but he had no oth
Zoe hesitated to take the document from him.Chuckling, Mason took a dig at her. “What’s the matter? Scared?”She said softly, “Why would I be scared?”Then, she took the document from him and started reading, but she didn’t get far before she was stunned by its contents.These documents contained the details of some projects her father signed off on before Sanders Group was shut down. Some of these projects were halted. They even made the news. If this ever got out, then her father was going to be sentenced to lifetime imprisonment!Her face turned pale and ashen.Aware of what she was thinking, he took the documents over and set them on fire with a lighter. His voice was nonchalant when he spoke. “Your father only signed them because someone tricked him! He’s a victim, too. I made no copies of this document. Once I burned it, nothing could put your father in harm’s way. Nothing will change even if they push your brother's court date back.”The documents were burned to a cris
Mason spoke ever so gently in the night, “Do you know what it means to have a fling with someone?”As a matter of fact, she didn’t know what it meant, nor did she want to.She tried to break free, but he had such a firm grip on her that their hips were pressed against each other. The two thin layers of cloth weren’t much help in covering her body parts.Embarrassed and upset, she said, “I told you, I’m not one of those ladies out there who you fool around with!”Lowering his head, he looked at her. Her long, black hair cascaded down her shoulder, and her face looked delicate as well. Her eyebrows were beautifully black and her nose was defined too. The colors of her lips reminded him of roses. She also had a darling figure that was both slender and supple.She was definitely one of the most beautiful ladies in the world.His eyes relaxed and he couldn’t help but murmur, “I’ve only ever had sex with you, Zoe!”What he said irritated her, but she didn’t dare to hit him too. In the
Zoe was trembling all over. She didn’t want to believe what Mason just told her and that life could be so cruel, but, deep down, she knew he had no reason to lie to her.Staring at him, her voice turned soft, “Mason…”It was clear what she was trying to say. She was trying to get him to help Ella.Flicking the cigarette, he smiled faintly. “This is no small feat. I’m not about to get on the bad side of both the Schmidts and the Lynches for her sake and get nothing in return. More to the point, I’m not exactly a charitable man. Don't you agree?”His voice was soft and his eyes were deep. She knew what he meant. All she had to do was let go of her pride and give in to his wishes. Return to his side and he’d keep Ella safe, letting her give birth to the baby.Her fingers twitched slightly, but she remained quiet for a long time.Staring at her, he could tell she wasn’t willing to do it. Instead of pushing her, he leaned over and snuffed out his cigarette.“Send Ella overseas, the