Chapter 83

Zoe quickly said, "Aiden, you're being modest.”

Her compliment was not just flattery. Aiden was highly respected in the

industry, internationally renowned, and held a prestigious status.

Aiden had always liked her. He smiled at David and said, "I enjoy

hearing her praises.”

David poured tea for him, adding, "You should take this chance to relax.

There's no need to be so restrained. You seemed so tense the last time

you met... Ms. Lilith, was it? I knew you were holding back your

disdain.”

Aiden patted David's back. “Let's not dwell on that. Why bring her up?"

David, with a look of sudden realization, kept apologizing to Zoe. "My

bad, I wasn't really thinking. I'm sorry, Zoe."

Zoe was not foolish. They were trying to dig into Lilith's affairs, and she

guessed it was because Mason brought Lilith to meet Aiden. Aiden

might not have liked her, but he saw the potential in Mason's deep

pockets.

She smiled faintly. “I understand."

Then, Aiden began to vent.

After sipping some tea, he spoke candidly, "That girl's playing of the

violin is so unpleasant. I heard she played the violin for Mason every

day when he was in a coma. Can you believe she might have been the

one to wake him up?"

Zoe lowered her head, gently stirring her coffee.

Memories flashed back.

When Mason had a car accident and fell into a coma, she was only 20.

She was terrified. She visited Mason every day and even had the nurse

play her recorded violin music for him. Little did she know, in the end, it

was Lilith who managed to awaken him.

Aiden became serious and looked at Zoe solemnly. "Zoe, you are my

most promising student. I hope you can stay by my side. It's just

because of financial reasons that I have to bow to the evils of

capitalism.”

Zoe understood his predicament and comforted him softly, "I

understand, Mr. Aiden.”

After a moment, she said somewhat bitterly, "In the past, I cared a lot

about that person. Now, not so much.”

Two hours later, after a simple meal, many things were settled.

Zoe declined David's offer, bid farewell to Aiden, and left the cafe.

Walking through the courtyard, she ran into a familiar face.

It was Cecil.

Zoe was just a couple of steps away from him. After considering it for a

moment, she called out softly, “Dr. Cecil.”

Cecil's gaze was deep. He had arranged to meet an old friend and did

not expect to encounter Zoe here. She no longer called him Cecil but

addressed him as Dr. Cecil, deliberately creating some distance.

He looked at her, well-dressed with a designer bag, but there was no

trace of happiness on her face.

Cecil felt a twinge of heartache. He did not press her and, like her,

spoke with a distant tone, "How have you been since you went back?"

Zoe replied with a soft "Fine."

She quickly said goodbye to Cecil to avoid losing composure,

mentioning that her driver was waiting outside.

As they passed each other, Zoe's eyes were slightly moist. It was not

that she could not let go of Cecil's warmth. She just felt helpless in the

current circumstances.

Outside the hotel, Zoe did not see her driver. Instead, it was Mason.

Amidst the neon lights, Mason's profile was dignified and noble in a

white shirt as he sat in his black Bentley. He was swiping his phone.

When he saw Zoe come out, he leaned over to open the car door. "Get

in!"

After coming to her senses, Zoe silently took the front passenger seat.

After a moment, she turned to him and asked, "Why are you here?

Where's the driver?"

Mason did not answer her question.

His long fingers lightly touched her face.

Her eyes were teary.

Mason's eyes dimmed, and he spoke slightly tensely, "Have you been

crying? Did you see someone?"