The Queen's Back

Chapter 148

Mona looked at Maxwell and said, "Honey, are you done here? I'm here to take you home."

Maxwell Carter did not hold back at all. He grabbed Mona Clem's hand and said in a much gentler tone, "It should be over now. Honey, let's go home!"

He glanced over at Nico, as if asking if there was anything else. Nico shook his head quickly. "Nope, all done, no more."

The relief on Nico's face was obvious-he'd been counting down the minutes for Maxwell to leave. Just sitting in that room. with him had been tense.

Seeing Maxwell take Mona's hand, Nico suddenly realized just how much he'd misjudged the situation. He had spent a fortune trying to find a woman for Maxwell, but looking at the couple now, he felt absurdly foolish. Was Maxwell really... henpecked? he thought. The more he looked at the couple, the more he noticed how well they seemed to fit together.

People might say the Carter and Clem families only had a mutually beneficial arrangement, but this... felt like something else..

"Alright then, Nico, we'll be off," Maxwell said, leading Mona toward the door.

Just before leaving, Mona turned back and shot Nico a look. "By the way, I heard someone thought it would be a good idea to set my husband up with a woman. Wonder who's brave enough to pull that? Guess he's not too worried about his family's well-being, huh?" Nico chuckled nervously, desperately wanting the floor to open up and swallow him whole. 'Mr. Carter actually told her about that? Wow, he really is totally under her thumb.

As soon as they were out of the room, Mona turned to Maxwell with a raised eyebrow. "So, you did all this on purpose, huh?"

t was becoming clear that Maxwell had invited her here to make a point to the directors-Mona was here to show them that she was always at his side, as if to say he was under her watch.

But the second she heard about someone trying to throw a woman at him, she had practically flown over.

"On purpose?" Maxwell just grinned and asked back.

"You definitely set this up," Mona said, giving him a knowing look. "Calling me over like this, just to let everyone know I've got you on a tight leash. Now they'll all think twice before trying to set you up with someone."

Maxwell chuckled, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Exactly, Mrs. Carter. I knew you would catch on. Isn't it nice? Now nobody's pestering your husband."

was a win, but Mona sighed. Now she would be seen as

me behind my back, saying stuff like, 'Mrs. Carter runs a tight ship." She rolled her eyes, whispering, "Great reputation." Maxwell laughed. "That's fine by me. I'll play the henpecked husband to make it official. We'll give them something

about

sound like I'm some kind of tyrant when I don't care much about you," Mona muttered

replied, grinning as he opened the car door and helped her in. "You're in charge; I'm happy to follow

Chapter 148

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climbed in beer, lowered the partition without a

receiving his order, immediately

the seat. He brushed his lips along Mona's neck, breathing in her familiar scent. After a few days, he had missed her, every part of her, and didn't bother

a hand to his chest. In a whisper, she said, "You can't kiss me here. Behave." Outside, the faint lights cast a soft glow over her face, her delicate

his lips against hers, soft and warm,

Mona quickly nudged him back, whispering, "Save it for when

toward the front. Even with the partition up,

embarrassing.

Nigel overhearing

"I got you a new set

voice was playful and low, but Mona shook her head. "Absolutely not," she muttered, knowing exactly

the layers of their coats, he could feel her warmth, and it only drew him in closer. "Not going to wear it? Alright, then," he murmured, his face close to hers,

gave in, her cheeks flushed. "Fine, fine. I'll wear it! Just-sit properly now." Her face turned as red as it

she'd be caught up with Maxwell once

with a satisfied smile,

the boss's urgency, kept his focus sharp on the road, smoothly

them as Mona walked ahead and