I Refuse to Divorce!
Chapter 40

Zoe received the transfer from Mason while having coffee with Ella. Ella had received some newsabout Liam and wanted to discuss it with Zoe.

Ella shared the information she gathered, saying, "Liam is in some primitive tribe in Yarifa, providinglegal aid. The assistant mentioned he might not be back for another one or two years. I told you,Zoe, these successful lawyers, once they hit the big time, they seem to get disillusioned with theurban life and money. It's all about the hustle and bustle of the big city, isn't it?"

After finishing, Ella took a big sip of her coffee, making a face.

She could not stand this pretentious stuff.

Zoe lowered her head, stirring her coffee lightly.

Worried that Zoe could not handle the news, Ella consoled her softly, "Let's keep looking into it. Irefuse to believe that no one else can handle it besides him."

Zoe nodded, about to say something, when she received a 30 thousand-dollar transfer notification.She was slightly taken aback.

Seeing her expression, Ella could not help but lean in.

"Whose message is that, you look like you've seen a ghost.”

"It's from that jerk.”

"He's transferring 30 thousand dollars to you. What does that mean? Is he trying to get you to sleepwith him? Zoe, I always said this guy is no good... It turns out he's just like any other man, driven bylust.”

Zoe did not respond. She put away her phone.

Ella still looked eager. "We can at least order something now with that 30 thousand dollars!"

Zoe forced a bitter smile, "Mason's money always comes with strings attached.”

Ella could not help but curse a few more times.

With a scheduled appointment looming, she bid farewell to Zoe. Before leaving, she did not waste adrop of the terrible coffee, a habit she developed since childhood

Zoe was also ready to leave, but as she stood up, her phone rang.

Thinking it was Mason, she was surprised to see a message from Aurora instead.

"I'm arriving in Brookesville on Saturday. I look forward to meeting you."

Zoe could not help but smile.

After replying, she tidied up and headed to the Imperial Hotel.

By the time she finished work, it was nearly 11:00 PM.

The autumn night carried a hint of chill as Zoe tightened her thin coat around herself.

After a few steps, she stopped.

A luxurious black Bentley was parked on the side of the road, and Mason, dressed in a classic blackand white suit, was smoking inside. Perhaps sensing Zoe's gaze, he looked over.

Under the neon lights, they silently locked eyes.

It felt like a reunion after a long separation.

After a moment, Mason extinguished his cigarette, got out of the car, and opened the passengerdoor.

"Let's talk inside.”

Zoe knew he had a favor to ask.

Approaching, she sat in the car under his gaze.

Mason stared at her for a while before closing the car door. As he circled around to the driver's side,fastening his seatbelt, he casually asked, "Hungry? Do you want to grab something to eat?"Tonight, he was unusually gentle.

Zoe did not think he had undergone a transformation or suddenly fallen for her. She looked at himcalmly, "If you have something to say, let's discuss it in the car.”

Mason took a cigarette box from the glove compartment, shook one out, and lit it.

After a while, a faint stream of smoke filled the car.

Mason held the cigarette in his hand and spoke.

"Mrs. Rosemary has taken a liking toward you. She hopes you can help with the preparations fortomorrow night's banquet.”

Zoe stayed silent for a moment.

Mason glanced at her. "What? Do you not want to?"

Zoe smiled lightly, her tone becoming even more indifferent.

"Mason, I'm not your first choice, am 1? Ava didn't handle it well, so now you're willing to spend bigbucks on me, isn't that right?”

Mason was surprised by her keen perception.

He also thought Zoe might get angry.

Unexpectedly, Zoe's tone grew even more casual. She stated, "The project at the Abbott Group isworth billions. 30 thousand is too little. I want 300 thousand."

Mason frowned slightly.

It was not that he could not afford this money, nor was he reluctant to spend it on a woman.However, he was a businessman at heart. Businessmen were accustomed to maximizing their profits,even if the person in front of them was their wife.