The Queen's Back

Mona's skin looked as smooth and luminous as snow.

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Maxwell's gaze

was fixed on her face. If it weren't for the screen between them, he would have scooped her up right then and there. But all he could do now was watch from afar.

"Wow, I want to have a bite of that perfect skin of my wife's" he eased.

Mona glanced at the plain white wall behind Maxwell's handsome face on the screen and realized he wasn't home.

in?

It's past 11 p.m. in Nathontown-could he still be in the office? She was shocked at that realization.

"Alright, enough about skin," she said, slightly concerned. "Maxwell, are you still at the office?"

He looked at the stack of files in front of him and nodded. "Yep. Il head back soon. By the way, did Brendan gift you the rare herb?"

Mona paused, realizing that Maxwell must have heard about Brendan. Is it possible Brendan only helped me because of Maxwell? Well, I haven't mentioned anything to Maxwell yet, so it must have been Haley who relayed the news. The thought left her feeling uneasy "Yes. Maxwell, is Haley here to protect me or to keep an eye on me?

Mona refrained from using the word "spy" since she understood Maxwell simply wanted to stay informed. But she didn't like feeling as though he was keeping tabs on her as it made her feel mistrusted.

Should anything arise, Mona would proactively inform Maxwell She preferred him to learn about her directly rather than through alternative means.

"Mona, I'm sorry. Don't be upset. Haley's responsibility is to protect you, but she'll let me know if anything comes up. I really don't intend to do that to you," he said, meeting her eyes earnestly. He genuinely wanted to be involved in her life and meant no harm. With his apology, most of her frustration subsided, though some of it lingered still.

"Then don't do that again. I don't like it. If you want to know something about ine, just ask. I'll tell you myself," she replied firmly.

Mona understood that his need for control probably came from the insecurities he harbored since childhood. She wanted to give him the security he needed to help him let go of those fears-but that didn't mean she wanted anyone keeping tabs on her.

"Alright, I hear you. I won't ask Haley about it anymore. Just don't stay mad at me." He hated seeing her unhappy.

"Fine. There's nothing left to tell since you already knew everything. But I have to know something-do you know Brendan?" she asked, setting aside her irritation.

Mona found herself still a rather approachable person. Her anger had already subsided after Maxwell's apology. Besides, he had not returned home yet. She preferred to talk about more serious matters and not spend her time engaging in arguments with him over the call Maxwell's mind wandered to the last time he saw Brendan at a party. He had suspected Brendan was plotting something, as Brendan had been watching Mona the whole time.

"I met him once. We're not friends," Maxwell said, drumming his fingers on his desk.

She nodded. "Alright. J owe him a huge favor, though, so I'll have to repay him sooner or later."

08-39 Fri, Nov 1

"Stay away from him, Mona Je's up to something. If you owe him a favor, I'll pay it back on your behalf."

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Nevertheless, Mona knew sixty million dollars wasn't something a rational person would give to a stranger without some ulterior motive.

"Repay it for me? How?" Mona asked.

She wouldn't feel indebted if it were Maxwell who helped her. After all, he wasn't just anyone to her.

It's not complicated. I've heard that the Conrads from Noretin are looking to expand into Nathontown. I can provide them with an opportunity. That should count as repayment, and if they require anything else later on, we can address it then. But let's set that aside for the moment. Call me "Maxy' just once; you never did," Maxwell said, his tone tinged with a hint of grievance.

Back in high school, he had heard her call Teddy by his nickname, but she had always called him "Maxwell" with a distant tone. Even after they married, she called him "Dear" when she was in a good mood. But she had never once called himn "Maxy

up and get "What kind of weird quirk is that?" she protested. "I'm not calling you that. I need to go to bed. You should finish some rest, too. The antidote will be ready tomorrow afternoon, and my grandfather should wake up soon. I need to be in top shape to see him." She headed to bed and climbed under the blankets.

"I'll wrap things up by morning and make it to Horieta by noon. I'll be back in time for dinner. But Mona, before you go, just say Maxy. Please."

Mona could tell he wasn't going to let this go because he really longed for it.

As his final words registered, she paused, holding her phone and thinking of hanging up. Instead, she brought her face closer to the screen and said, "Alright, I'm hanging up. Let me know when you board your flight tomorrow. I'll come pick you up from the airport. Right then, Mona saw the reluctant expression on his face. She smiled into the camera, and, with a sweet tone, finally said. "Maxy."

Then she quickly ended the call, her heart pounding like crazy. She'd never admit it, but she was a little embarrassed for him to see her flushed face right now.

Even without a mirror, she knew her expression was probably a little silly.

Though she'd whispered it, Maxwell had heard her crystal clear, and he couldn't help the slight smile tugging at his lips as he rubbed his brow.

He sent her a message on WhatsApp, informing her that he had transferred sixty-two million dollars from the family funds to Brendan.

After receiving the money, Brendan's hand stilled slightly on his glass of wine as he gazed out at the dark night, lost in thought.

That night, Maxwell didn't go home. Instead, he took a nap in the lounge behind his office. The next morning, he left detailed instructions for his team and had Nigel book him a flight to Horieta.

He was eager to rush back as fast as possible as he missed Mona dearly and couldn't wait to see her.

While his flight took off, Mona had just finished breakfast, feeling excited and ready to see her grandfather awake at last. Just as she was about to go for a jog with Haley around the hospital grounds, she heard a knock on the door. Since they were staying in the hospital apartment, the knock surprised her as they didn't know anyone there.