Chapter 222 

By the time Mason arrived at Skyline Galleria, it was half past six in the evening. Barbara was sitting on the bench in front of Zoe’s soon- 

dessert spot, eating a hot dog Ella bought her. 

She saw Mason and told him that it tasted delicious and that he 

should set up a hot dog joint. 

He wasn’t sure if he should be upset or amused. Closing the car door, he walked over to his grandma, crouched, and said in a deep voice.” Do you how many doctors and nurses were searching for you 

because you ran away from the hospital? Yet, here you are, eating a hot dog on the curbside like a child.” 

Then, he took away her hot dog. 

Barbara was unhappy about it. So, she swiped the hot dog from him and said, “I’m here to see my grandaughter-in-law!” 

Zoe remained quiet. 

He stared at her for a second before standing up and looking at Zoe instead. They might’ve stood near to each other, but they felt awkward nonetheless. They were divorced, after all. 

Then, she handed him the jewelry box. “Grandma gave me this. I think you should take it back.” 

He didn’t take it. Instead, he stared at her with his deep eyes. She couldn’t understand what he was thinking. After a brief moment, he said in his husky voice, “Keep it. Grandma gave it to you because she loves you.” 

She insisted on giving it back to him “It’s inappropriate.” 

“Well then What in 

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He pulled at her arms and she very nearly pressed against his chest. The worst part was, she couldn’t break free. Raising her head, she noticed his face grew grim as he spoke, “Pray, tell. Is there anything you consider appropriate?” 

bara couldn’t watch anymore. She was so focused on them that she almost choked on the hot dog. 

Ella thought to herself. It was just like a romantic movies! 

In the end, Barbara was willing to get in the car. She couldn’t resist nagging at Mason when she was sitting on her seat, “Do it right and get her back if you still love her! Stop being so forceful! She might not 

like it.” 

Mason leaned over and buckled her in. He said gently, “Gotcha! I’m doing my best!” 

Ella looked at Zoe after the car left. “Was he trying to win you back? Did he think taking the dog to the vet counted as an effort? Did he misunderstand something about the ways of winning the hearts of ladies?” 

Zoe responded lightly, “It’s over between us!” 

Ella realized she was in a foul mood. So, she suggested having some barbeque and beers when they were done with their work. 

Smiling, Zoe agreed with it. 

It was eight o’clock when they sat down on the chairs of a barbeque joint. Ella ordered so much meat that Zoe had to remind her, “Haven’t you always talked about managing your weight? What’s with the meat? Aren’t you worried about getting fat?” 

Closing the menu, Ella said, “I’m no longer a model. So, I don’t need to 

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remain slender. Furthermore, it’s not like I’d get fat because of a meal 

or two!” 

She was happy to see Ella gracefully accepting her fate. 

Both of them ordered some liquor and chatted while they waited for eir food. About ten minutes later, the waiter brought over several platefuls of cooked meat. Every piece was done to perfection. 

Zoe preferred eating light under normal circumstances, but the meat looked so good that she wanted a bite of it too. 

Ella, however, covered her nose and said, “It smells greasy!” 

Zoe didn’t give it much thought. She merely smiled, “Look at the oil on them. Of course, it’s greasy!” 

Ella took a bite out of it and stood up immediately. She covered her mouth and said, “Nope! It’s too greasy! I’m going to go rinse my mouth out!” 

Zoe shook her head gently in response. 

Ella held her chest and threw up for a long time in the restroom, but it didn’t make her feel better. She was wondering if the meat had gone bad. 

After that, she took some tissue to wipe her lips before heading out. Two ladies were chit-chatting at the sink next to her. 

“Are you pregnant or something? You ralphed pretty hard.” 

“I had cravings earlier, but I can’t stand the smell of it now that I’m here.” 

“You’ll feel better after the first trimester!” 

The two ladies finished washing their hands and left the restroom. 

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Ella was all alone in the restroom. Lowering her head, she rubbed her belly. The last time she had sex with Leslie was in a hotel room. He was so eager for it back then that he didn’t wear a condom. 

Her face turned pale immediately. 

Walking back to her table, she took her bag and made up a lame excuse for Zoe before leaving the barbeque joint. Zoe tried to stop her, but she had already left. 

It was the middle of the night and Ella was sitting on the bench in the hospital, staring off into space. 

She was pregnant with Leslie’s child! 

Zoe went back home, but she was still worried about her friend. So, she gave her a call. It took Ella a while to pick up the phone. Her voice was husky, “I’m fine! It’s just food poisoning! I might have to take some days off, Zoe. You’ll have to watch over the dessert spot.” 

She responded, “Sure. Just rest up! I’ll swing by tomorrow and make you some delicious food.” 

Ella sniffed and said, “Your left arm still hasn’t fully recovered! You shouldn’t be cooking! Just take care of yourself, Zoe. Don’t always worry about me.” 

They went on to chat for a little while before hanging up the phone. 

She still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with Ella, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Perhaps she was 

overthinking it. 

At that moment, Mia knocked on her door and said, “Hey, Zoe! I need a word with you.” 

She went over and opened the door. 

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Then, Mia tiptoed into her room, holding a jewelry box in her hands. It was the same box she had seen today. Barbara tried to give it to her earlier today. 

Mia shushed her and said with a hushed voice, “Mason sent it here. Your dad doesn’t know anything about it. He’d get mad all over again if he did! You should send it back to Mason when you have the time. Don’t get into a fight with him, though. After all, he still holds some information about Noah’s case!” 

Mia used to be an arrogant lady, but she had to learn to be humble now. It was a heartbreaking sight. 

Zoe took the jewelry box and responded softly, “I’ll send it back tomorrow.” 

Mia felt better now that she had taken care of it, “Alright. Get some rest.” 

She said, “Yeah. Goodnight, Mia.” 

Mia closed her door gently. 

Hugging Sherry, it didn’t take long for Zoe to fall asleep. 

On the other side of the city, Mason was standing quietly by the window in his office. He had a glass of red wine in his delicate hands. His platinum wedding ring was radiating a brilliant glow. 

He had just acquired another company. This month alone, Lockwood Corporation has seen an increase in profit by twenty-one percent. He was the wealthiest bachelor in the entire city, but he started missing his ex-wife after the celebration party. 

Loneliness had a tendency to creep up on him in the dead of night. He could be mingling in a bustling crowd, but he was missing Zoe very badly. She used to wait for him to come home in his manor, all the way to the middle of the night. 

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Now, however, he had no motivation to go home because no one was waiting for him. 

He tried to call her right there and then. All he heard on the phone was a robotic voice. 

“I’m sorry. The number you’ve dialed is out of service!” 

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