Lilith was feeling triumphant, but her mood quickly soured. "Dad!"Mason responded casually, "Alright." With a careless gesture, he let go of Lilith's hand. Whether it was her father's failure to catch her properly or not, Lilith unexpectedly fell straight to the ground. The leg that had undergone surgery made a snapping sound as it broke again, and the friction burned the skin on her arm with the ground. It tore open, leaving a large, bloody mess.Lilith winced in pain, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Her father scooped her up into his arms in a panic.Mason lowered his gaze, his tone cold. "I have some matters to attend to at the company. I'll be leaving." The elevator doors opened, and he exited without a second glance.Ava hurriedly followed.From behind, Lilith pouted, "Mr. Mason… Mr. Mason!"Eric, holding her in his arms, sighed softly. "Sweetheart, have we gone too far? Setting up Mrs. Zoe and having your mother confront the young lady... What if Mr. Mason
He was relentless in tormenting her.Despite being brought to tears and screams, Ella was known for her fiery spirit. She even managed to scratch Leslie's arm.Uninhibited, she shouted, "Fine! Let's call it quits then. I'll find myself another man. I refuse to believe that someone like me can't find a man to sleep with. What makes you so special?"'This damned guy! What makes him better than other men?'The more aggressively she yelled, the more intense Leslie became. "How dare you say that?! I'll kill you!"The entire night, Ella's voice echoed in the room. The mansion's servants dared not eavesdrop. Every time Leslie brought Ella back, it sounded like a murder was taking place.…Leslie finally had enough. He got up and headed to the bathroom for a shower. When he came out, Ella was still there.She had donned one of his shirts, leaving a couple of buttons undone, and leaned against the bed, smoking. She exuded an alluring demeanor.Leslie chuckled. "You just cried your
Zoe kept Mia's situation a secret. Gordon assumed that Mia had some business and would be away for a couple of days, with a nurse taking care of things. Seeing Zoe sitting there, lost in thought, he couldn't help but say, "You should go home. There's a nurse here."Zoe shook her head. She didn't want to go anywhere right now. She just wanted to stay here.As night fell, Gordon finally succumbed to sleep. Zoe sat alone on a simple chair, silently lost in her thoughts. A faint red mark on her cheek served as a reminder of the beating she endured from Carly.Outside the hospital room, separated by a transparent glass pane, Mason stood silently. He observed the injuries on Zoe's profile, her absent-minded expression, and the emptiness in her eyes. Memories of the day she came out of Rosemary's house, fatigued but radiant when speaking, flashed through his mind."Actually, I've always been like this. It's just that you never noticed.""Mason, that 300 thousand doesn't include sleepin
Zoe pursed her lips. "I want to talk about Mia's situation."Mason's voice became even colder. "Is that so? Let's discuss it in my office." After saying that, he hung up the phone without leaving any room for further discussion.On the chilly streets of late autumn, Zoe felt a shiver run through her entire body. This was the true Mason. In the past, his occasional tenderness was just a means to coax her back home. Once he found it ineffective, he revealed his true self. Indifferent and heartless.Putting down her phone, Zoe didn't hesitate and took a bus.After a couple of transfers, she arrived at the Lockwood Corporation building. The employees of Lockwood Corporation recognized her as Mrs. Lockwood, but they also knew how unworthy she was of the title.Ava came down to meet her. Climbing to the top floor, Ava opened the door to the CEO's office with an attitude that lacked warmth. "Mr. Mason is out at the moment, Mrs. Zoe. Please wait. I'll make you a cup of coffee."
Zoe couldn't react in time.Mason turned her around to face the floor-to-ceiling window while he tightly embraced her from behind. He forced her to look at herself in the window.His words were full of humiliation. "If I'm not mistaken, you want to trade your body for Mia's freedom, right? But I've slept with this body countless times. Do you still think it's worth anything? Or do you prefer to indulge with men in a place like this rather than go back to being the respectable Mrs. Lockwood?"With just a few sentences, he shattered her completely. Zoe was not his match.Besides, Mason knew her body well. While verbally humiliating her, he tormented her physically. "Hold back, don't get my pants dirty!"Zoe's forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat, and her black hair clung to her head, looking disheveled. Finally, she couldn't hold back the tears any longer and cried out, "Mason, please stop!""Stop what? Didn't you want to sleep with me?" Mason was clearly angry. He
The screen began to show images.The slightly swaying video revealed a slender figure entering through the door, and the suite's bright lights clearly illuminated her face. It was Zoe.Zoe felt a chill throughout her body.Mason lightly pinched her chin. "Afraid to look?"Then he sneered. "Haven't you always insisted that you pushed open the door to room 6201? Well, watch until the end, and see clearly whether you went to 6201 or 6202."In the footage, Zoe walked toward a luxurious white bed.Mason had a drink and was peacefully resting. The alcohol was strong, and besides the hangover, there was a hint of something else that made him eager to find release with a woman. Yet, he had always maintained a clean image, never engaging in any affairs despite his long business career.Mason's fair Adam's apple moved slightly.Suddenly, a pair of soft hands gently touched his face, bringing a refreshing sensation. Mason opened his bloodshot eyes.The girl's face was slightly flushed.
Zoe felt an overwhelming sense of humiliation.Mason made her feel like nothing more than a woman for his amusement despite carrying the title of Mrs. Lockwood. From the past until now, he hadn't shown her an ounce of respect. In his eyes, she was nothing more than a cheap plaything akin to a prostitute.Within the media room echoed Zoe's pitiful pleas and Mason's satisfied breaths. It had been a long time since he felt this comfortable.Mason lowered his head to look at Zoe. Unable to see her face, he grew dissatisfied, pulling her black hair gently to the side to kiss her.Zoe, lost in his grasp, held a fruit knife she had found during the struggle.Feeling desolate, feeling absurd, she knew that leaving this room meant returning to her former life as the seemingly respectable but utterly submissive Mrs. Lockwood. Mason might confine her at home, turning her into a woman hidden from society.Zoe didn't want that.She didn't want to return to the past. She didn't want Mia to go
The hospital room was far from quiet. Two doctors were conversing with Mason."She experienced excessive blood loss." "We've transfused 800 milliliters of blood, and her condition has stabilized. It depends on when Mrs. Zoe will wake up... Yes, Mrs. Zoe's will to survive doesn't seem very strong at the moment.""If she doesn't wake up by tomorrow morning, I suggest a full-body examination for her."…The doctors lingered for a moment before leaving. Mason escorted them out and closed the door. Turning back, he saw Zoe waking up.Her small face was nestled against the snowy-white pillow, her black hair scattered across it. Wearing loose hospital attire, she exuded a frail yet delicate beauty.Mason silently watched for a few seconds before approaching. Sitting by the bed, his tone softened. "You were unconscious for five hours. Are you hungry? I'll have some food sent over."Zoe buried her face deeper into the pillow.She didn't want to look or talk to him.Mason understood
Zion and Gwen's marriage seemed inevitable, with no one putting up any resistance. Occasionally, Gwen even had a strange illusion.It all went so smoothly that the years of separation seemed like they had never happened, as if she and Zion had always been together. After their reunion, he didn’t even ask her about her life abroad and treated her just as he did before.She was no longer as youthful and tender, but Zion still saw her as if she were a 20-year-old girl. Gwen felt a bit dejected, thinking to herself, he must just like girls around 18-year-old.But unfortunately, the spring river flows eastward and cannot return!Zion only smiled.In winter, the days grew shorter. After work, Gwen arrived at Zion's villa, but he had not yet come home. The two housekeepers had already started preparing dinner.When Gwen got out of the car, she received a call from Zion. Her voice was soft and tender.“When will you be back?”On the other end, Zion checked the time and said, “I’ll be
Zion noticed Gwen gazing at him with those wide, expectant eyes again. With a chuckle, he reached into the pocket of his trench coat, pulled out a sleek wallet, and carefully extracted a platinum card. He placed it in her outstretched hand and said with a smile, “This is my secondary card. There’s no credit limit.” Gwen gasped softly, then teased, “Wow, aren’t you generous? Thank you, Teacher Qin.” Zion gave her a light tap on the head. Not missing a beat, Gwen wrapped her arms around his neck and grinned mischievously, “Thank you, my sugar daddy.” Zion’s response was to pull her close, cupping her cheeks as he kissed her fiercely. Though he once carried himself as an educator and now as a refined businessman, he found himself utterly smitten by her playful antics. After the kiss, Zion leaned close to Gwen's ear and murmured something uncharacteristically crude that sent a shiver down her spine. He playfully nipped her nose. “Turns out you’ve got a thing for bad boy
Zion could sense Gwen’s cautiousness and chuckled softly. Then, he cupped her face and planted a firm kiss on her lips. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you. We agreed to save that for our wedding night. Besides, I just drank last night, so I probably wouldn’t be much use. I want your first time to be special, so I’ll make sure I’m well-prepared.” Gwen’s cheeks turned crimson. She buried her face in his chest, mumbling, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” How peculiar! Back then, even though they were together, their relationship had always been proper and restrained. But now, here they were, sharing a bed, their bodies so intimately close it was both thrilling and embarrassing. Gwen had never experienced this before. Zion seemed to understand her thoughts. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “I haven’t either. Before the wedding night, I’ll make sure to study hard.” Gwen didn’t dare ask how he planned to “study,” though she had a pretty good idea—i
Zion maintained a respectful demeanor and immediately greeted, “Mr. Noah.” Noah, however, didn’t make things difficult for him. He gave a light cough, which could be considered acknowledgment. Then, turning to his youngest daughter, he said, “Go upstairs first. Your mother’s been waiting for you all night; she probably has something to say to you.” Gwen hesitated and didn’t move at first. Zion gently nudged her, his voice soft, “You should go.” Only then did Gwen start to move. But before heading upstairs, she walked over to Noah. As the youngest daughter and the most adept at charming her way out of trouble, she hugged her father. Only then, with visible reluctance, did she head upstairs. Her father’s anger dissipated by more than half after the hug. Watching her go, Noah turned his attention to Zion, his tone calm but firm: “Have a seat. Let’s talk.” Zion immediately sat down and, with practiced ease, poured Noah a cup of tea. Noah feigned irritation and remarked, “
But Gwen was not satisfied.With reddened eyes, she pitifully asked again, "Are you married? Is there someone else by your side? Do you still love me?"As she asked, she was more persistent than before, yet it made the man's heart ache even more.Zion remembered that when they parted ways, Gwen was still an innocent, naive girl. Now, however, she was willing to ask such direct and revealing questions. The braver she became, the more pain he felt in his heart.Zion no longer teased her. He looked into her eyes and answered seriously."No, I'm not married. There's no one else by my side. Her leg healed, and she got married earlier this year. And yes, I still love you. Very much."...Gwen's eyes turned even redder.Her voice trembled as she said, "That doesn't mean I have to be with you. I'm still mad at you."Zion took a step forward and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes. It had been five years, and now she had become a teary little kitten. He remembered how
At that moment, Gwen was completely flustered. She didn’t understand what Zion meant, nor did she understand why he was deliberately getting close to her. She wanted to ask, but before she could, Zion had already led her out of the car. The restaurant arranged by the school leadership was nearby, just off campus. Gwen had been there with Zion before, but not in a private room. Returning to an old haunt brought a sense of nostalgia. Zion walked side by side with Gwen. He was six-foot tall, and she was about five-foot-five. They made for a strikingly good-looking pair. Considering their history, the school leaders naturally couldn’t resist teasing them a bit. Gwen felt slightly uncomfortable and replied, "We were young and foolish." Over the years, Zion had grown seasoned in the business world, exuding an effortless charm. He responded with a light smile, "I wonder if we can pick up where we left off—still holding a grudge?" As soon as those words were said, the schoo
After running away in a flurry that night, Gwen retreated into her home, avoiding the world outside for several days. Her father, Noah, meanwhile, busied himself with his new hobby of keeping turtles—purchased on a whim after his wife, Gwynn, teased him for being too old. In an attempt to prove his youth, Noah even released the turtles back into the wild one evening, making a point of marking one with the name "Zion" on its shell in a bold act of petty revenge. Gwynn, ever the pragmatist, found the gesture immature and pointless, but it brought him a fleeting sense of satisfaction. Gwen, however, was unaware of the antics her father had indulged in. All she knew was that her father had been unusually concerned during her self-imposed seclusion, urging her to get out and take a break. Noah's insistence that she shouldn’t remain cooped up at home was an attempt to draw her back into the world, to reconnect with life. But she couldn’t shake the weight of everything that had transp
In the lounge, Gwen curled up in Tegan’s embrace, crying silently. Tegan gently stroked her smooth black hair, sighing softly. “If you really like him, I’ll help you talk to him.”Gwen sobbed quietly, “Dad will say you’re being rebellious.”Tegan paused for a moment, then replied, “Your brother will help me, won’t he?”Gwen clung to Tegan, continuing to cry softly. She remembered that today was Yeager’s full moon celebration and decided to cry for just a little while. After all, who hasn’t shed tears in their youth?At that moment, there was a knock at the door. From the sound of it, the person outside had a very refined aura. Tegan immediately guessed who it was; it certainly wasn’t her husband. She gently rubbed Gwen’s head. “I’ll go answer it.”When Tegan opened the door, as expected, it was Zion standing outside. The two locked eyes, and after a moment of silence, Tegan calmly spoke, “You two talk.” Zion nodded.In the quiet lounge, the soft sound of Gwen’s crying fill
The following August. It was the party for Ocelotte and Molly's child. Molly had given birth to a boy, named Yeager Sanders, a name chosen by her eldest brother-in-law, Lorian. She was very fond of the name. As for Lorian and Tegan's youngest son, he was named Fergus Sanders. Yeager and Fergus were the next generation of boys in the Sanders family. However, the first child was still Lola, the one and only little princess. She loved following Gwen around. The little girl was now three and a half years old and about to start kindergarten. On the day of Yeager's party, Gwen was still taking Lola around, but she unexpectedly ran into an old acquaintance. It had truly been a long time. Since the year Zion had left for another country, although they had occasionally bumped into each other, they hadn’t had the chance for a proper meeting. How many years had passed? Gwen didn't dare to think about it, nor did she want to calculate. She vaguely felt it had been four