The two of them exchanged a few more words before reluctantly ending the call. After hanging up, Zoe curled up on the sofa, gently hugging herself as if it could provide some sense of security.She reminisced about many things. She reminisced about the beautiful moments spent with her brother during childhood, the longing for their mother after her passing, and how her brother used to comfort her every night by reading fairy tales and singing nursery rhymes until she fell asleep.Noah was the best brother in the world.As the night deepened, Zoe fell asleep in the hospital room. Her face rested on her knees, cold and beautiful.Outside the ward, Mason stood silently. A nurse stood beside him, lowering her voice, "She's been like this since she watched the news last night, Mr. Mason. Should we wake Mrs. Zoe? Sleeping like this might be uncomfortable for her."Mason's gaze was obscure and difficult to decipher. After a while, he turned and left, leaving only a sentence behind. "Do
Zoe hadn't responded, but she found herself already pulled onto his lap. As she settled, Mason let out a muted groan, likely aggravated the ligament in his injured thigh. Zoe whispered, "Should I get off?"Her slender waist was embraced, bringing them close. Mason exuded a purely masculine aura, a tempting warmth that was both near and distant.He lowered his gaze to her posture. She was clad in loose hospital attire, sitting on the man's lap with her fair legs resting on the dark fabric of his trousers,. Itemitted an indescribable sense of taboo, as if she were entwined with a man.Mason's voice grew huskier. "Just stay on my lap while you apply the ointment."Zoe didn't resist further. She took the medicine box he handed her and silently began applying the ointment. The soft lighting surrounded them as Mason, positioned higher, observed her expression.With lowered brows and willing to sit on his lap, he believed he understood her choice. She sacrificed herself to help her b
This was her condition, and she had to make it clear to Mason.They had no emotional connection, so it was best to keep things practical. He wanted her to be Mrs. Lockwood. In return, she wanted what she deserved.Being the astute person he was, Mason immediately noticed her transformation. Zoe had evolved from a girl into a woman.She had learned to be patient and negotiate with a man. She no longer demanded his affection. She had become pragmatic.Mason had always admired pragmatic people like Gregory's sister, Gabriela. He used to imagine that his future wife would be as smart and capable as her. However, in the end, he married the delicate and gentle Zoe.However, now that Zoe became more pragmatic, he seemed displeased.He felt uneasy. He scoffed, "I see that you've learned how to negotiate, Mrs. Lockwood."Zoe continued softly, "I have one more condition, Mason. I don't want to take money from you or Ava anymore. I want 2% of Lockwood Corporation's shares."Mason was quit
Mason wanted to slide the wedding ring onto Zoe's finger. She curled her finger inward slightly, resisting the act.He stared at her until she finally flattened her hand, allowing him to place the ring on her finger. The diamond ring sparkled on her delicate finger.Mason's voice was slightly hoarse. "Mrs. Lockwood, welcome back."Zoe trembled slightly. She had finally returned to him, ultimately selling herself to Mason. However, from now on, she was not just Mason's wife. She was now Mrs. Lockwood.…Mason did not stay overnight. The next day, he did not show up in person. Instead, he sent Liam directly to the hospital to meet Zoe. Liam brought two sets of documents. One document was an agreement for the transfer of Lockwood Corporation's shares, and the other was related to Noah's case.Zoe met him in the hospital's small reception room. Liam was more intimidating in person than on TV.He glanced at Zoe and smiled faintly. "Mrs. Zoe, you seem more delicate than I imag
Mason embraced Zoe. He spoke intimately to her, a level of closeness she was not accustomed to. She turned her face slightly and said, "Yes, Liam just left."She wanted to continue packing, but Mason blocked her. He held her slender waist, leisurely caressing her body without any apparent ulterior motives. It was as though he was just passing the time.After being married to him for several years, Zoe knew how he was was all too well. She did not resist. She let him touch her.After a while, Mason finally stopped, "What did you and Liam talk about?"Zoe's voice was calm. "Shares and the lawsuit."Mason waited for a while, but she did not bring up Gregory or his unwarranted advances. His gaze deepened as he looked at her for a long time.Rather than revealing what he had seen, Mason changed the subject. "By the way, I had Ava find an apartment with a great location and environment. It's perfect for your dad and Mia to live in. You can check it out tomorrow, okay?"He was co
After Mia left, Zoe stood by the window, silently observing. She saw Mia going downstairs, sitting on the roadside, sobbing uncontrollably. Zoe had never seen Mia like this before. Even on the day the Sanders family went bankrupt, Mia maintained her composure without losing control.Ava was behind her, unable to resist asking softly, "Mrs. Zoe, do you regret it?"Zoe lowered her gaze. After a moment, she smiled faintly. "I don't regret it. I've never regretted it."She had no choice. There was no room for regret. Zoe spent half a day at the apartment. When she left in the afternoon, she only took a small suitcase.…In the evening, as darkness fell, the sky was painted with colorful clouds, and the twilight was exceptionally splendid. A luxurious black RV passed through the ornate black gate, circling a few times before stopping in the villa's parking lot.Mason stood in the dusk, opening the car door for Zoe. He called her Mrs. Lockwood. With a handsome face, he revealed a
Mason looked down at her condescendingly.He watched her nose twitch and observed as she gradually sunk into ecstasy.If he did well, she would uncontrollably wrap her arms around his shoulders, gently panting near his neck. Only in moments of surrender, her face would not appear so cold and regain its lively and charming aspect.It seemed like the old Zoe had returned.Mason lowered his body and kissed her passionately.…Mason took quite a while, making love to her three times before finally finding some relief.In the end, both of them were covered in sweat.They quietly embraced each other, calming the emotional tide.After a long time, Zoe's body moved slightly, sitting up.Mason wrapped his arms tighter around her her waist, his voice husky in the aftermath of their passion. "What's wrong?""I need to take my pills."Zoe used her fingers to comb through her waist-length hair and explained calmly, "You didn't use protection just now, so I need to take my pills."Mason
Mason did not immediately let her go.He pressed her against the wardrobe door, his large palm slipping into her robe, teasing her lightly, "What could be more important for you to do than me?"Zoe, of course, was familiar with such tricks from a man like him.She slightly tilted her head, enduring his teasing. Occasionally, she could not help but let out a soft moan.After a while,her eyes were misty as she spoke, "Mason, I told you that I was not going to be locked up like a bird in a cage. The freedom to go where I want and do what I want was part of the deal."Mason did not inquire. He released her, giving a light snort. "It seems Mrs. Lockwood is planning to do something big."Then, right in front of her, he took off his bathrobe and started dressing.Mason had a great figure.He had a tall and well-built frame, covered with a thin layer of natural muscles, not an ounce of excess fat, but also not the type of muscle mass developed in the gym.He stripped down to just a bl