Chapter 61


    It was already morning by the time Mason had handled thepany 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."


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    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 him freshly made treats to taste when he worked in


    the study. Her face would be filled with anticipation.


    She probably wanted him topliment her.


    However, he was always indifferent, taking a bite and then ignoring the rest. Zoe would then look


    disappointed.


    Mason drifted off, and Ava couldn''t help urging, "Mr. Mason?"


    Mason snapped out of his thoughts, looking at Ava''s expectant face. He responded in a detached


    tone, "It''s time to go home."


    This kind of rejection left Ava feeling awkward.


    Mason didn''t care about her emotions. He took the exclusive elevator down to the parking garage


    and got into his car. Despite feeling tired and needing rest, he couldn''t shake the urge to visit the


    hospital and check on his wife.


    In less than half an hour, Mason appeared in the VIP ward of Lockwood Hospital.


    The corridor was quiet.


    Zoe''s room door was slightly ajar. Through the gap, Mason saw her on the phone, her voice softly


    audible through the crack.


    "Mia, I''m doing fine... Yes, I''m performing outstation. The pay is quite good. Don''t worry, Mason


    hasn''t given me a hard time."


    After a few more words with Mia, Zoe hung up.


    Mason was about to push the door open when he froze. Zoe was crying, lying on the pillow.


    He silently stood at the doorway, observing Zoe''s tearful state. It reminded him of the past when she


    used to cry in hiding, like a child.


    He didn''t know when she grew up.


    She rarely cried nowadays.


    It seemed like it was from the time the Sanders family fell into trouble and Noah was taken into


    custody.


    Mason never paid attention.


    He also remembered the night at the hotel when he forcefully took her on the couch, and she


    resisted so vehemently.


    ''Is she crying because of that? Did engaging in that act with me be so unbearable for Zoe


    now?''


    Mason wasn''t a saint. His view on marriage was straightforward. There could be no love, but there


    must be physical intimacy. Without the basic physical connection between husband and wife, a


    marriage couldn''t be sustained.


    He gently closed the door, not wanting to disturb Zoe.


    Mason walked to the end of the hallway, took out a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it. Holding the


    cigarette between his fingers, he slowly inhaled.


    He looked out the window.


    The autumn chill was in the air, and the red maple leaves resembled mes.


    After about half an hour, a nurse approached him cautiously and said, "Mr. Mason, Mrs. Zoedoesn''t


    seem to have much appetite today. She didn''t touch the breakfast we sent over. Would you like me


    to persuade her?"