The Queen's Back

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"Don't worry. You won't need your husband to come and get you I'll knock you out and carry you home myself!" Ava said. She then downed a glass of liquor. Feeling the drink wasn't strong enough, she poured herself another.

Meanwhile, Artemis had already downed hers in one gulp, while Mona hesitated before taking a small sip. Under the watchful eyes of her friends, she nervously finished her drink.

After that, Ava got drunk and started complaining about Bud. Seeing Ava heartbroken over her unrequited love, Mona felt a deep pang of sorrow.

Mona's time travel might have changed Ava's fate of dying on the operating table, but she couldn't give Ava the life she truly deserved. For instance, after Bud saved Ava, she developed feelings for him. Unfortunately, Bud did not return her feelings. "Ava, maybe you should let go of Bud?" Mona suggested, not wanting to see her friend drown her sorrows in alcohol.

Ava shook her head firmly. "No, unless he has a girlfriend. As long as he's single, I won't give up. I've lived more than twenty years, and he's the only man who's ever caught my heart."

She recalled lying on a cold bed, and Bud's arrival felt like a divine rescue, leaving her captivated from that moment on.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Ava, stop drinking. You're already drunk," Artemis urged.

Artemis had acted in many films and TV shows, often becoming emotionally invested in the characters' love stories. In reality, she had never experienced love herself.

But somehow, she understood Ava's unfulfilled love. It might be because she had portrayed too many characters.

"Being drunk is good. When I'm drunk, I can dream. And in my dreams, I'll see Bud," Ava murmured as she poured herself another drink.

Mona and Artemis didn't know what else to say. Artemis simply joined Ava in drinking, while Mona thought, 'If Ava is this drunk, I can't afford to get drunk too. Otherwise, how will the three of us get home?'

Meanwhile, Maxwell sat surrounded by the Clem Group's board members. The food on the table had gone cold, and the air was filled with smoke and the smell of alcohol. Maxwell grew increasingly irritated, wondering if Mona had finished hanging out with her friends. He was eager to find an excuse to leave this messy situation.

Just as he was about to pull out his phone, Nico spoke up. "Jessica, come here and pour Mr. Carter another drink. Can't you see his glass is empty?"

As Nico finished speaking, the woman sitting across from Maxwell slowly stood up, her graceful figure moving towards him.

For a moment, Maxwell thought he was imagining things. The woman, Jessica Blunt, looked strikingly similar to Mona, about forty or fifty percent like her. It might be just a coincidence.

"Mr. Carter, let me fill your glass," Jessica said, sidling up to Maxwell. As she leaned in to pour the drink, she subtly brushed her leg against his. Maxwell frowned instantly. This was exactly the situation he despised.

Noticing that Maxwell didn't immediately reject Jessica, Nico assumed the rumors about Maxwell's disinterest in women were false. He figured the issue was that people hadn't figured out the type of woman Maxwell liked.

Nico thought he'd hit the mark by choosing a woman who resembled Mona. But as Nico watched, Maxwell suddenly pushed Jessica aside, sending her crashing to the ground. She was stunned.

Jessica was still a college student, hired for a high price to seduce Maxwell. Initially, she had been reluctant. But when she saw Maxwell, she thought giving her first time to him wasn't a bad idea. It was better than selling herself to some older, unattractive man. BR

So when Nico told her to pour Maxwell a drink, she hadn't hesitated to make her move.

3

Jessica felt confident in her looks and abilities. However, she only resorted to this option because of her recent financial struggles. Being pushed to the ground like that made her feel humiliated. She bit her lower lip in frustration.

Maxwell coldly glanced at Jessica. He had tolerated her this long because she bore a slight resemblance to Mona. When her leg had brushed against his, he had given her a chance, moving away slightly. However, she pushed her luck and touched his hand.

His patience had run out. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hand before coldly saying, "I'm already married, so I hope you all will stop trying to set me up."

Then, he turned to Jessica and added, "Get out." The board members, all eager to curry favor with Maxwell, didn't dare help Jessica up, even though they felt a twinge of pity for her.

Seeing Maxwell's irritated expression, they shot angry looks at Nico, silently blaming him for the whole situation. He had been the one so keen on finding a woman for Maxwell.

Finally, Jessica quietly left the room. Once she was gone, the private room fell into an awkward silence. No one dared to breathe too loudly.

Undisturbed by the tension in the room, Maxwell pulled out his phone and found Mona's contact. He sent her a message: [Mona, I think I might be a little drunk. Are you done with your friends? One of the board members tried to set me up with some woman. But don't worry. I pushed her away.]

Meanwhile, Mona and Artemis had just helped Ava into a car. As the vehicle idled, Mona saw Maxwell's message.

She carefully read it and thought, 'Someone tried to set Maxwell up with another woman? Did they forget about my existence?'

She immediately replied: [Wait for me. I'm coming to get you.] After that, she quickly explained the situation to Artemis, asking her to take Ava home before stepping out of the car herself.

Mona hailed a cab and gave the driver the location Maxwell had sent earlier. Along the ride, she urged the driver to go faster.

Back in the private room, Maxwell read Mona's reply and smiled faintly. His mood lightened considerably.

The atmosphere in the room remained tense. No one dared to make a noise. They had no idea how to win over Maxwell. He didn't want their gifts, he didn't want their women, and they were at a loss as to how to please him. Maxwell hadn't left yet, so even though the others in the private room were eager to go, they didn't dare say a word. They sat there, awkwardly exchanging glances. They were all waiting for Maxwell to leave first.

After a moment, there was a knock on the door. One of the board members, seated closest to the door, looked to Maxwell for permission to open it.

Meanwhile, Mona grew impatient and knocked again.

Maxwell smiled and said, "Go on, Mr. Collier. Open the door."

When the door opened, Mona walked in, quickly scanning the room. It was full of men, not a single woman in sight. She figured Maxwell must have already sent the other woman away.

Politely thanking the board member who opened the door for her, Mona calmly walked toward Maxwell.