Chapter 78
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 considerate, but Zoe remained unmoved.
She knew Mason too well.
He gave away 2% of Lockwood Corporation's shares, spent three million to bring Liam back for the lawsuit, and wanted her to play the role of a loving wife to maintain his positive image.
Zoe's expression remained indifferent. She agreed, but Mason found her attitude to be cold.
He pinched her chin, capturing her lips in a kiss. When she could not resist and let out a soft moan, he held the back of her neck, whispering, "Mrs. Lockwood, I'll be waiting for you at home tomorrow night.”
Zoe trembled. She knew what he meant.
Zoe was discharged while Mason had an important meeting to attend. He sent Ava to pick her up.
As Ava handled the discharge procedures, Zoe sat quietly in the hospital room. In front of her lay an expensive set of clothes. It was a pure white Versace haute couture ensemble, a favorite brand among upper-class women.
In the past, when she was Mrs. Lockwood, her wardrobe was filled with such clothes. Now, as she assumed the role of Mrs. Lockwood again, she had to put on these luxurious outfits again, playing the part of a proper high society wife.
Her delicate fingers gently stroked the exquisite fabric. Zoe's face showed a brief moment of confusion, but she did not linger in her thoughts for too long. She gently removed the loose hospital gown and put on the expensive outfit.
Ava, holding a checklist, knocked on the door.
Since Mason was not present, she did not bother to be polite and called Zoe by her name.
"Zoe, you can leave now."
Zoe turned around. Her gaze fell on Ava's face, and then, calmly, she said, "Ava, from now on, please call me Mrs. Zoe."
Ava hesitated. She had initially wanted to mock Zoe. In her eyes, Zoe had no status. However, when she met Zoe's gaze, she froze.
It was still that delicate face, the same pair of eyes, but something was different.
It was a kind of indifference, a coldness.
Zoe had hidden herself. She had put on a mask named Mrs. Lockwood. Ava was stunned.
She did not dare to act presumptuously and changed her tone to be more professional. "Mrs. Zoe, the apartment should be all set by now. Let me take you to see it. Mrs. Mia should be there."
Zoe gave a faint smile.
With Mason's arrangements, the moving process was swift. The 216- square-meter apartment was indeed spacious and comfortable to live in.
However, Mia felt uneasy.
After the moving company left, she pulled Zoe aside, her gaze fixed on Ava. "Why did Mason's people come to arrange this? Zoe, tell me, did you..."
Zoe knew she could not hide it. She chose to be honest.
In a nonchalant tone, she said, "Yes, I've returned to Mason. Mia, take care of yourself. I now understand that being Mrs. Lockwood is much easier than before. In the past, my ignorance on the matter caused trouble for you and Dad."
Mia could not bear to hear such words. She did not want to cry, but she could not hold back her tears.
Now she finally understood why Liam had suddenly returned to the country, why Noah's case was suddenly going so smoothly.
It was because Zoe had surrendered herself to Mason.
Zoe felt bad. She walked over, hugged Mia's shoulders, and softly said, “I'll take care of myself, Mia. Please take care of Dad."
Mia did not want her to be too sad. She wiped away her tears, forced a smile, and said, "At least have a meal with me. I made beef meatballs for you. I'll go get the groceries.”