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
Zoe stayed the night at Ella’s place. She washed up and put on her friend’s pajamas. Then, she laid down next to her and chatted about a lot of stuff.Ella’s voice was soft and tender, “The fact was, I don’t care about Leslie anymore! He can go ahead and marry Nellie for all I care. I have to tend to my baby now! “I’ve thought of everything, Zoe. I’ll move out of Brookesville in two more weeks and live in a smaller city. I’ll buy a house and set up a flower shop. That’s where I’ll raise my baby.”“You’re going to be staying so far away, though. I’ll miss you!”“Will you drop by and visit me?”That put a lump in Zoe's throat, but she said, “Sure! I’m going to visit you several times throughout the whole year! I’ll even let you have a ten percent share of my dessert spot and help raise your baby into a strong kid! Your baby could be a boy or a girl. Either way, I’m sure they'll be extraordinarily beautiful!”Then, she leaned over and hugged Ella. “I’m going to miss you so badly!”
All Ella ever wanted was a family of her own.When she was finally able to speak, her voice was broken, “Why does it have to be so hard, Zoe? Why’s the universe tormenting me? Why can’t any of my wishes come true? “I really loved my baby. I even decided on a name. It’s Ellis! I’d make sure he gets all the happiness he deserves for the rest of his life!”Then, her voice became hoarse and she could only wheeze.More blood flowed out from her body and it made a mess everywhere.Zoe hugged her and said with a trembling voice, “Nonsense! I’m taking you to the hospital! Pull yourself together, Ella. I’m going to get you fixed in the hospital! Everything’s going to be fine. You hear me? Ambulance… I-I’ve got to call the ambulance.”…Ella could hear cars pulling over and Zoe’s guttural screams. All of a sudden, the advertisement boards around her rolled up another screen. Each one of them was displaying Leslie and Nellie’s wedding pictures.It turned out that today was the second day