The Queen's Back

Chapter 38

Mona smiled and said. "Even if it were possible, I wouldn't let you do that, cousin. I want to compete with you fairly!"

Her words were confident yet humble, earning her the goodwill of those around her.

Barbara looked at Mona, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity. The Mona she once knew would never have spoken this way.

In the past, Mona had always been trailing behind Teddy, constantly calling him "Teddy Baby."

Ever since Mona discovered Barbara's affair with Teddy, it was as if she had become a different person. She was no longer obsessed with romance but focused her energy on design.

Barbara forced a smile and said, "You're right, Mona. Let's compete fairly. I hope you'll give it your all!"

"Of course!"

Barbara, preoccupied with thoughts of Teddy, arranged to meet him at a hotel even before the workday ended. Teddy assumed that Barbara, whom he considered his little enchantress, was eager to see him. As soon as he received her message, he booked a hotel room.

After work, Barbara drove straight to the address Teddy had sent her and walked right in.

The moment she entered the room, Teddy embraced her, covering her face with kisses. Barbara looked at him with disdain.

her. Now, she saw Teddy merely as a tool. Feigning affection, Barbara wrapped her arms around

held Barbara close, his hands wandering

ask you," Barbara said, resting her head on his arm with a

drained much of

"Sure, what is it?"

Teddy's arms and asked, "Teddy, have you made up with my cousin

Teddy, who was already considering giving up on Mona. "No, I'm thinking of letting

only to find out she had married Maxwell. For someone he didn't truly care about, he wasn't

and Carter Groups on the Powers Group, he was contemplating forming

happily with Maxwell. This left Barbara wondering how she

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Oct 21 Chapter

have known about something as significant as Mona getting married. It seemed unlikely that such news would have escaped

surprise.

didn't know?" Teddy

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a face full of feigned innocence. "You might not know, but my mother and I were kicked out of the Clem family because my biological father is Jeremy. So I know nothing about my cousin's affairs." Barbara's voice was filled with feigned sadness, and her eyes glistened with tears, which tugged at

reassuringly. "Don't be upset, Barbara. It's my fault for misunderstanding. It's the Clem family's loss for not valuing you. They'll

she treated you during college? She designed suits for you and brought you meals every day. Feelings don't change that easily.

Barbara continued, "And if we want to get the Clem Group shares, Mona is key. Once we have them, you can divorce