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
Mason returned with congee, placing the items on a small round table. He was about to lift Zoe to eat when she, leaning against the headboard, spoke softly, "It's different."Mason was puzzled for a moment. After a while, he realized what she meant. Zoe looked at him, her voice softer than before, "You're different. In the past, I loved you, so even if I didn't want to, I would endure because I wanted to make you happy.""And now?"In the gentle light, Mason gazed at her delicate face, speaking even more softly, "Now, you don't love me anymore, right? Zoe, I don't know when you stopped loving me, but I don't care. In this day and age, love is no longer important."Mason was a businessman.He didn't believe in love.In the business world, no one discussed feelings. What men cared about the most was wealth, power, and influence. Wives, children, or even mistresses were just accessories to power.After finishing his words, he went over to pick her up and walked toward the sofa.
That sight was undeniably tempting.Mason approached calmly, taking the shower towel from her hand, his tone not very pleasant."Are you trying to end your life? The doctor said you need to stay in bed for at least two days."Zoe turned her back, murmuring, "I just want to freshen up."After giving it some thought, Mason understood why she wanted to take a shower. Although they didn't complete the act in the hotel, he had taken about ten minutes, leaving deep and shallow marks. Despite her reluctance, her body still responded.Mason recalled that it had been too long for both of them. They had tangled to the point of near chaos, reaching an intense climax.Thinking about those moments, he felt a stirring in his soul. He approached her from behind, wrapping his arm around her waist and resting his chin on her delicate shoulder. His voice, now hoarse and sexy, murmured, "Your body still carries my scent, doesn't it?"Zoe trembled.Mason turned her around, lowering his head to
It was already morning by the time Mason had handled the company matters.He quickly freshened up and prepared to leave. Ava gazed at her boss's handsome face, feeling a bit disoriented. Despite both of them working through the night, she had reapplied her makeup several times, but Mason still looked sharp and vibrant.Coincidentally, there were a few executives in the conference room. In an attempt to appear close to Mason, Ava positioned herself nearby and cheerfully asked, "Mr. Mason, would you like to have breakfast first, or shall we head home? I've ordered your favorite cream puffs."Mason wasn't fond of sweets. The only time he praised cream puffs was when Zoe made them. Ava, unaware of this fact, assumed it was the master chef at Dafford who made them, so she ordered them several times.Every time, Mason left it for the driver.Now, as Ava brought it up again, Mason remembered that Zoe hadn't made any pastries for him in a long time. In the past, Zoe would always bring h
Mason knew that Zoe's loss of appetite was not due to her physical condition but because of him. It was because he refused to divorce her, making her feel gloomy and reluctant to talk to people. Without turning back, he calmly said, "I got it." The nurse didn't dare to say much and quickly left.In fact, the hospital staff had been gossiping these past few days. Some said that Mason had a mistress outside, and Zoe couldn't bear it, so she attempted suicide. Others speculated that Mason loved Zoe too much, causing her to suffer from depression due to feeling overwhelmed. Though just idle chatter, no one dared to spread the news of Zoe's wrist-cutting incident.After finishing his cigarette, Mason returned to the hospital room. After three days of recuperation, aside from the scar on her wrist, Zoe could move freely. When Mason entered, she was leaning against the bed reading a book, her black hair cascading over her slender shoulders. She wore the loose blue and white hospital