Mason was working in his company and he was signing the last document. Then, he closed it and tried to ask Ava casually, “Do you know about any restaurant that’s atmospheric and suitable for a date?”She gave it some thought before responding, “It depends on which lady you’re taking with you. If it’s Ms. Zoe, then I’d recommend the Mexican restaurant in Westholme. If it’s Gabriela, however, it’d be wise to pick a more secluded spot.”His face turned sour at what she said.Rising, he took a coat and said lightly, “There’s nothing between me and Gabriela.”Holding the documents in front of her chest, she followed him and said, “I heard that she picked a bone with you at your manor. A word of advice, Mr. Mason. Don’t think you're in the clear just yet. After all, Ms. Zoe hardly made a fuss over it.” She meant every word she said.He stood in front of the elevator and watched the number on the screen go up. He remained quiet, but his heart sank!…Getting into the car, he was abou
Mason smiled lightly and said, “Don’t worry, Grandma! I’m doting on her at every turn.”That was what Barbara wanted to hear, as evident from the smile blooming across her face. She wanted Mason to return home and look after Zoe. “You shouldn't have come over here! I’m ill. I might bring some bad luck to the baby.”Smiling, he responded, “That’s impossible! My baby isn’t even born yet.” It was clear from his tone that he was overjoyed to have a baby, and she was happy for him too.Sweeping her eyes across the room and out the window, she thought the impending arrival of a new baby breathed new life into the manor. She was looking forward to the baby’s birth.He went downstairs and ran into his mother. Lisa was busy overseeing the dinner preparation. It looked like she expected him to stay for dinner, but he rejected her, “Zoe’s losing her appetite lately. I should be home.”Lisa had much to say about Zoe. She had always preferred to have a submissive daughter-in-law. It’d be bette
After a brief moment, Zoe responded gently, “I’m going to Silvercrest. Rosemary recommended a pretty good location to me last month. I thought it was a strategic location and secured it.”Silvercrest? That was surprising. Lowering his head, he closed his lips on hers. After a long, intense kiss, he murmured, “Do you like that city so much?” He was on a mission to make her happy. So, he reached out and took his phone, “I’ll ask Ava to look over my schedule. I’ll go with you if I can. We can enjoy some leisure time after your work is done.”“It’s fine.” Propping herself up, she stopped him from taking the phone. “I’ll be back when my work is done. Moreover, I’m not really keen on a leisure trip. I’m feeling a little lazy, actually.”His eyes grew darker while her heart pounded like crazy. She was worried he might sense something wasn’t right, but he merely closed her bathrobe after staring at her for a long time. He couldn’t resist fondling her supple breasts when he was tying up
Mason recognized the elegant man. He was Farley, the famous businessman in Silvercrest! If his memory served him right, Rosemary was pretty close to this man. She even invited him to the outdoor party Mason had in his manor. Did that mean Rosemary was responsible for Zoe’s friendship with him?Sneering, he walked over to their table. Zoe raised her eyes and was stunned to see him in the restaurant. She murmured, “What are you doing here, Mason?”Smiling faintly, he held her shoulders, looked at her, and said tenderly, “I wanted to surprise you. So, I found out from your assistant that you’re having dinner here!”Extending a hand to Farley, he smiled politely, “We meet again, Farley!” Farley took his hand and introduced his daughter to Mason. Then, Mason patted her head affectionately and said with a smile, “Zoe loves kids. Thanks for bringing your daughter along, Farley!” With that, he sat down next to Zoe and joined their dinner.Both he and Farley were successful businessmen.
Mason had snuffed out his cigarette and was looking out the window by the time Zoe got out of the bathroom. He didn’t turn his head around when he heard footsteps behind him. Putting his phone on the bar counter, he said softly, “Lockwood Corporation has tens of thousands of employees and most of its business in Brookesville. You know very well that I can’t move to Silvercrest. I can’t just uproot my company!”He probably found out about her plans, Zoe thought. Walking over, his back was still turned to her when she checked his phone for a few seconds before putting it back down.“You knew.”“Do you want to know what I know?” Turning to the side, he looked at her and asked gently, “I know that you don’t love me and that you want to leave me. Have you given some thought to it and decided this was the most unprovocative way to leave me? “You counted on our marriage going stale and taking our kid with you when I no longer cared about our family. Is that it?”She didn’t deny it.
Things between Zoe and Mason hit a real, low point ever since their fight in Silvercrest.He rarely came home. If he did, it was only to get changed. They didn’t exactly talk to each other. He would even ask about her pregnancy through Ava.On the other hand, Barbara’s condition was getting worse. They would visit her, but they’d never do it together. One would visit Barbara in the daylight while the other would do it at night. They didn’t want to see each other and make things awkward.This went on day after day. Even Barbara noticed what was happening, but she was powerless to do anything. Every once in a while, some scandal about Mason would surface and make the rounds.Summer was gone and autumn came. Zoe was having her breakfast at the dining table in the morning. The trees were particularly green outside and the weather held up as well.Mason’s scandals made the newspaper. He checked into a hotel with a beautiful celebrity. Somebody took pictures of them walking in the h
A week later, Quinlee was banned from all activities relating to the entertainment industry. At first, she wasn’t sure who she had offended, but she gradually learned that it was none other than Mason. He put her on the bench because she tried to challenge Zoe’s status as his wife.After that, she tried to ask Zoe to give her a chance. However, some people who were in the know said to her, “It wasn’t Zoe who ordered your ban. Mason was the one who pushed for it! Don’t even think about begging him to help. It won’t work on him!”Quinlee was completely baffled and unsure of what to do next.…It was drizzling on an autumn night. A Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly pulled up to the manor. The car was drenched in the rain as it caught the glow from the light and reflected it dazzlingly.Luke got out of the car, held an umbrella, and opened the door to the backseat. He said softly, “We’re home, Mr. Mason!”It was dark in the car and Mason was resting his eyes. There was a lot of stuff goin
Mason’s phone rang in the middle of the night.Rising, he leaned on the headboard and turned on the night light. Zoe also woke up when he was talking on the phone. “What’s wrong, Mom?”It was Lisa at the other end of the phone.She sounded calm and collected. “I don’t think Barbara’s going to make it past tonight, Mason. Take Zoe along with you. This could be the last time you guys will see her.”He remained quiet for about half a minute before responding in a husky voice, “We’ll be right over!”They got changed in less than five minutes and hit the road in the middle of the night.The rain splashed down on the black Rolls-Royce. Beads of raindrops streamed down the car, reminiscent of tears.Due to Zoe’s pregnancy, he didn’t drive very fast. They didn’t say anything to each other. Zoe sat next to him in the passenger seat and looked out the window and into the rainy night. She knew, deep down, that this would probably be the last night she’d see Barbara.The car slowed down