Chapter 48

Mason thought about it, and then he acted on it.

He stepped into the cramped kitchen, wrapping his arms around her

from behind. His chin rested on Zoe's slender shoulder blades, tilting

slightly as he tenderly kissed the soft flesh behind her ear.

The sudden intimacy caught her off guard, and Zoe's legs almost gave

way. She lowered her gaze, looking at the unwashed dishes in her

hands, and said, "Mason, you said you just wanted a meal. What's

going on?"

Mason tightened his grip, whispering near her ear, "Zoe, come back

with me."

Zoe's body stiffened. It was the first time Mason did not command her

to come back with him. Instead, it sounded more like a request, and

this subtle change added a hint of bittersweetness to the atmosphere.

She bowed her head in silence.

Mason kissed her hair and raised his eyes slightly. "Okay?"

A sudden ring interrupted the moment.

Mason frowned slightly, not wanting to answer, but Zoe had already

snapped out of it.

"Answer your phone."

Mason glanced at the phone. It was Lilith.

He hung up, intending to explain something, but Zoe had figured out

who was calling. While washing the dishes, she casually said, "You

should leave. Don't forget to transfer 15 thousand dollars to me."

She seemed indifferent, only caring about the money.

The ambiguous atmosphere from earlier vanished.

Mason stepped back, watching her silhouette. After a moment, he

asked softly, "Zoe, no matter what, are you not going to come back to

me?"

Zoe's back clearly conveyed rejection.

Mason, too, was proud. He could not beg.

Without saying more, he transferred 15 thousand dollars to her and

walked to the couch outside, taking his coat and leaving.

Zoe continued washing the dishes.

She heard the sound of a message on her phone, Mason leaving, and

the slight vibration of the door. She forced herself not to care because

she knew where Mason's tenderness tonight came from.

It was because of her value.

He would not have spared her a second glance if she had not secured

Rosemary and helped him with that project. He would not have deigned

to come to her place just for a bowl of noodles, nor would he have

spoken to her in such a soft manner.

He was Mason, the ruthless wolf in the business world.

Zoe persuaded herself not to care, but her eyes were slightly moist.

She was not made of wood. She had feelings, too.

In the following days, Zoe did not hear from nor see Mason.

She felt relieved.

One day, she went to the hospital to visit Gordon. Shortly after arriving,

she sensed something unusual in Mia's expression, as if something

was weighing on her.

Sure enough, Mia used the excuse of craving fish at lunchtime to say, “I

can't finish it alone. Since you also like it, why don't you accompany

me? We can chat.”

Mia fussed over the cushions for Gordon, straightened and rearranged

them, and then finally left.

At the hospital's cafeteria, Zoe asked softly, "Mom, what's going on?"

Mia tried to hold back, but eventually, she could not keep it to herself.

She told Zoe, "That Lilith... Zoe, do you know her background?"

Zoe only knew that Lilith used to be a nurse.

She shook her head.

Mia was furious, coldly laughing. "One of Lilith's parents used to be the

driver for our family, and the other worked as a cook in our kitchen.

Back then, your dad and I never mistreated them.

"However, they gave birth to a daughter who took your husband. Now,

they're in this hospital, enjoying the VIP ward sponsored by Mason,

using the best doctors... It's ironic.”

Zoe was surprised to hear this.