The Queen's Back

75%

+5)

Chapter 26

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.

a smile, Mona quickened her

the entrance, she saw Maxwell leaning against the car. Their eyes met unexpectedly,

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?"

AY

be so confident? She had made it clear

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

Mona's words, pressed the bouquet of roses against her chest with a faint, charming smile. He looked every bit the quintessential

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

attention standing at the company's entrance, especially with a handsome man blocking her path, flowers

Chapter 26

passersby slowed their steps, some even daring to snap

75%

felt a particularly intense gaze from ahead-Maxwell's. It was

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

hadn't pushed her from the 88th floor himself, he had been Barbara Burton's most reliable

her ground

Teddy's help, she had been pinned against the wall, giving Barbara the

tragic end by falling from the

about her past, her years of affection for Teddy Powers

determined to make Teddy pay for his actions in the

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