The Queen's Back

+5)

Bud reached out to touch the marriage certificate in Maxwell's hand, but Maxwell quickly put it away. "If you want to touch one, go get married yourself, Maxwell teased.

Bud paused, feeling the urge to give Maxwell a piece of his mind. "Oh, so getting married makes you special, huh?"

Maxwell placed the marriage certificate safely in his drawer and grabbed his suit jacket. "It sure does. I'm off now, so you can stay here and be amazed."

Time was ticking, and he had to pick up his wife. He couldn't afford to waste any more time.

As Maxwell walked out, Bud watched him go, muttering to himself, "Who would've thought? This guy actually has someone he cares about."

Having worked alongside Maxwell for years, Bud knew that Maxwell was not someone who could be easily swayed or pressured into doing something he didn't want to do, especially when it came to major life decisions.

The only explanation for Maxwell marrying Mona was that he genuinely liked her, and getting the marriage certificate was something he was happy to do.

After work, as Mona left the design department, she overheard two young women giggling about a handsome man waiting outside, wondering whom he was there for.

From their description-about 6.1 feet, in a black suit, with thick eyebrows, a prominent nose, and captivating eyes partially hidden by tousled hair-Mona knew it was Maxwell. Just leaning casually against the car, he had captured everyone's attention.

With a smile, Mona quickened her pace toward the exit.

Sure enough, as she reached the entrance, she saw Maxwell leaning against the car. Their eyes met unexpectedly, and her heart fluttered with excitement, as if a little deer were about to leap from her chest.

She started to run toward Maxwell, but was stopped midway by someone holding a large bouquet of roses. "Mona, it's all my fault. It's been days now. Are you still mad at me?" the person said.

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Seeing it was Teddy Powers, Mona was exasperated. How could he be so confident? She had made it clear she was over him, yet he refused to believe it.

"Teddy, are you out of your mind? I've told you we're done. Finished. Do you not understand what that means Mona said, looking him in the eye, before trying to move past him to get to Maxwell. Maxwell stood nearby, his captivating eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before him. He exuded a dangerous charm but remained motionless, seemingly deep in thought.

Teddy, ignoring Mona's words, pressed the bouquet of roses against her chest with a faint, charming smile. He looked every bit the quintessential gentleman, the kind that could make any woman's heart flutter. "Mona, I truly realize my mistake. Please give me another chance," he pleaded.

Teddy hadn't wanted to come, but the recent competition from the Clem and Carter Groups had been cutting into his company's business. If things continued this way, the Powers Group would be in jeopardy. Ultimately, it all traced back to Mona. Her influence and assertiveness had only grown stronger, and he felt he needed to address the situation to protect his interests.

Mona, being the Clem Group's heiress, naturally drew attention standing at the company's entrance, especially with a handsome man blocking her path, flowers in hand.

Unbeknownst to them, passersby slowed their steps, some even daring to snap photos of the scene.

Among all the eyes watching, Mona felt a particularly intense gaze from ahead-Maxwell's. It was as if accepting Teddy's roses would ignite them in flames.

Without hesitation, Mona flung the roses aside, scattering them across the ground. She showed no remorse as she looked directly at Teddy and said coolly, "Teddy, do you not understand English?" Her voice was icy and questioning, sending a shiver down Teddy's spine. Without sparing him another glance, she walked confidently toward Maxwell, ignoring the onlookers and their cameras.

While Teddy hadn't pushed her from the 88th floor himself, he had been Barbara Burton's most reliable accomplice, an accessory to the crime.

Without Teddy's involvement, Mona believed she could have stood her ground against Barbara. Perhaps she wouldn't have been the one to fall.

But with Teddy's help, she had been pinned against the wall, giving Barbara the chance to push her.

As a result, she ultimately met her tragic end by falling from the 88th floor.

The moment Mona learned the truth about her past, her years of affection for Teddy Powers turned into deep-seated hatred.

Mona was determined to make Teddy pay for his actions in the past.

Mona approached Maxwell, wrapping her slender arms around his neck. Her bright eyes locked onto his as she teased, "Maxwell, didn't you see someone bothering your wife just now? How could you not react?" Maxwell placed his hands possessively on Mona's waist, his eyes glancing at the man behind her with a challenging smile. "I was just about to step in, but I didn't get the chance."

He wasn't entirely truthful. When he first saw Mona emerge, he had taken a step forward, only to see Teddy approach her with a bouquet of roses. Suddenly, his feet felt like they were made of lead.

He seemed to lack the courage to confront them, choosing instead to watch quietly.

Mona nodded, her eyes sparkling as she playfully said, "Oh, is that so? Then I won't be upset. But next time, you better stand up for me!"

Next time, if he saw Mona and Teddy in a close encounter, would he have the courage to intervene?

He wasn't sure if he would, but when he met Mona's bright eyes, he found himself nodding.

Next time, he thought, he would try to take a couple of steps toward Mona. If she didn't push him away, he would continue.

His large hands remained on Mona's waist, easily encircling her. He couldn't help but notice how slender her waist was.

After they left, Teddy watched the car drive away, glanced at the roses scattered on the ground, and replayed Mona's cold words in his mind. For the first time, he felt as if something was quietly changing.