The Queen's Back

Chapter 43

In the evening, when Maxwell came to pick Mona up, he sensed Mona was a little down and asked, "What's the matter? Did something happen in the office today?" Mona fastened her seatbelt as she replied, "It's just that I have to rent a workspace, but I haven't found any suitable locations."

The Clem Group office was located in the busy city center. Not only were rental prices exorbitant, there weren't many vacancies to boot.

"What kind of location are you looking for?" Maxwell asked.

"Somewhere close to the office, and sizeable." "Mona replied.

Maxwell started the car and I said, "It t just so happens that there's a property in my name that might fit those conditions. Let's go take a look at it now."

Mona couldn't t contain

her surprise and asked excitedly, "For real?"

Maxwell nodded as he headed towards the said location.

The space in question was not too far from the office. It was literally around the corner by car. The two of them got out of the parked car and Maxwell led Mona toward the fifteenth floor of the building. When they arrived at the door of the unit, Maxwell opened it and gestured at Mona to enter.

As Mona looked around the space, she took note of the surroundings and ticked off her mental checklist. The space was newly renovated to the effect that she wanted, and it was bigger than she expected. There was even a pantry area and a separate office space. Mona was extremely pleased. "How is it? Does it fit what you're looking for?" Maxwell asked.

it

Mona nodded and gushed, "Yes, it's perfect."

Maxwell then placed the key into Mona's palm and said, "Here you go then. Let's head home."

Mona looked at the key in her hand and her heart swelled with happiness. As Maxwell was walking out, she caught up to him and boldly reached out to hold his hand.

the door then, and he glanced back at Mona's hand in

Maxwell was

the both of them could feel their relationship

hand and felt her excitement surge. It seemed that if she took

from his grandfather, Richard. Mona could hear their exchange on the phone.

or decline, Maxwell grunted in agreement and

said to Mona, "I'll have to trouble you to

course, it's only right." Maxwell had already visited the Clem residence several times, while she had only been to the Carters'

that he didn't get along with his family, especially since Maxwell was the

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45

small boy when he had been brought to the Carter family home, and it caused quite a stir in Nathontown. Mona was also little then and she hadn't paid much attention to the tabloids, but she had also heard the rumors going around about how Maxwell's mother had shamelessly seduced

also said that when Maxwell's mother brought him to the Carter home, she had already gone a little bananas and

left completely alone in a strange, foreign place, Mona couldn't imagine the kind of loneliness, fear

by the Carters, being constantly bulled by his older brother, Gordon. Then when Maxwell was in his senior year of high school, he was sent out of the country. When he

arrived at the Carter family, the housekeeper was there to

Maxwell's older brother was present as

in acknowledgement and led Mona

seemed to remember that he had said the same thing to them when they'd visited the last time. Mona didn't have the luxury of time to think deeper

were sat on the sofa, seemingly in wait

Gordon's wink too, and his face turned hostile as he instinctively tightened his grip on Mona's hand. "Oh, Mona's here, come here, have

here with Maxwell, after all, and Gordon had chosen to completely ignore him.

Gordon as well, and led Mona away so that he and Mona were sat across from Gordon instead. Maxwell also placed their interlaced hands on his thigh, so they looked very much the loving couple. Maxwell made his round of greetings to everyone present, which included his grandparents, father, stepmother, and older

Mona did the same.

here. If I didn't ask you to come back, when were you planning to visit your old grandfather?" Richard asked Maxwell with a voice full