The Queen's Back

17

having the wedding right away?" Mona asked, looking puzzled. After all, she was the eldest daughter of the Clem family, Maxwell was the CEO of Carter Group. How could they get married without a proper wedding?

ah, we're going to wait a bit. Your marriage isn't just any event, it's a big deal in Nathontown. It takes time to plan erything right," Jane explained. Mona seemed keen on having a wedding sooner, and Jane wasn't entirely sure if agreeing to Maxwell's suggestion was the best move.

"Well, it doesn't matter. We've already gotten the marriage license, so I'm officially Mrs. Carter now." Mona shrugged. A later wedding was fine with her. It would be even better to have it when Maxwell was head over heels in love with her. That would be the real win. And just like that, the wedding topic was set aside for the time being.

After lunch, Jane urged Mona and Maxwell to leave, hoping they'd get some quality alone time to strengthen their relationship.

Over the past few days, Jane had become more impressed with Maxwell. He wasn't much of a talker, but when he did speak, it was always heartfelt. He was consistently supportive of Mona, unlike Teddy, who was all talk and no action. Looking back, it was clear that Teddy had only been leading Mona on, making promises he never meant to keep.

"Don't pack too much. You can always come back with Maxwell anytime. Just take a few of your usual outfits," Jane advised from outside as Maxwell helped Mona pack her things in her room.

Mona hummed in response, focusing on sorting through her belongings. It was her first time leaving this home, and while she felt a twinge of nostalgia, excitement was her main emotion. Maxwell stood by quietly, handing her items when needed.

"Max, can you grab a couple of towels from the left-hand cabinet?" Mona asked while placing her pajamas in her suitcase.

"Sure." Maxwell nodded and opened the drawer. His face went red the moment he saw what was inside. He quickly grabbed the towels and handed them to Mona.

Mona instantly realized what he must have seen in that drawer-besides the towels, there were her bras and probably some underwear. Her face flushed with embarrassment. She avoided looking directly at Maxwell, just reaching out to take the towels from him.

By mid-afternoon, they arrived at Maxwell's place-a swanky apartment right in the heart of Nathontown. Surrounded by greenery, the building had a calm, almost artistic vibe that didn't quite match Maxwell's business image. The apartment was a duplex: downstairs had the living room, dining area, and kitchen, while upstairs was housed the bedroom and study.

Mona looked around, a bit surprised. In her past life, Maxwell had lived in a grand mansion when she was with him.

"This place might be a bit small, but it's got everything we need," Maxwell said nervously, worried Mona might think it was too cramped for her socialite tastes.

"It's cozy, I actually like it. Big houses are overrated anyway. Where's the bedroom? I'll unpack," Mona smiled.

She hadn't expected Maxwell to choose a simpler, more private space over a mansion with a bunch of servants. The best part? It was just the two of them here-no interruptions. This might be her chance to get closer to Maxwell.

Plus, she was pretty confident in her cooking skills. In her past life, she'd worked hard to impress Teddy with her cooking, only to have it mostly eaten by his so-called "siblings." Looking back, she felt all that effort was wasted. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and that's exactly what she planned to use on Maxwell.

"Upstairs. I'll show you," Maxwell said, feeling a bit relieved as he led her up to the second floor and into the bedroom.

"The place is a bit small, so there's only one bedroom. Is that okay with you?" Maxwell asked, sounding both hopeful and a

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bit nervous.

He admitted he had selfish reasons-he wanted to stay close to Mona, even if it meant sharing the same room. Though he had a bed in the study and rarely used the bedroom, the idea of Mona being there made him want to be there more often. Even if he had to crash on the sofa, just being near her was enough.

After their time at the Carter family mansion, Maxwell knew Mona wasn't totally against him. Even though he knew she'd married him partly to get back at Teddy, he still took the chance to ask.

"I think it's perfect-neither too big nor too small. I'll start unpacking," Mona said.

"Okay, I'll be in the study, right next door. Just give me a shout if you need anything." Maxwell replied.

After Maxwell left, Mona looked around at the minimalist black decor of the room. It felt a bit cold and empty. She promised herself she'd bring some warmth and love into Maxwell's life.

Mona hung her colorful clothes next to his collection of black suits in the closet, which brightened up the space immediately. Then she set up her skincare and makeup on the vanity. When she was finished, the room felt more lively, and she realized she was pretty tired. Seeing the bathtub with those massage jets, Mona didn't even hesitate and started running the water. She had to admit, Maxwell really knew how to live it up-even the bathroom had a stash of nice wines. She poured herself a glass of red, enjoying the deep, rich flavor. With a sip, she sank into the tub, letting her mind drift.

'How am I supposed to break the news about the paternity test to Grandpa and Grandma? If. I just hand it over, they'll definitely ask why I secretly did it in the first place. I can't exactly say it's because of something Barbara told me in a past life.

'Oh wait. What if I anonymously send copies of the results to everyone in the Clem family, including myself? That way, I can act surprised and confront everyone without looking suspicious. She thought, silently giving herself a pat on the back for the clever idea. After finishing her bath, Mona slipped into a silk nightgown that fell to her calves. As she was fastening the buttons, she noticed a shadow at the door. Glancing up, she saw Maxwell standing there, and then she looked down at herself-her nightgown was only half- buttoned. Quickly pulling it tighter around her, she felt her face heat up with embarrassment.

"S-sorry. I didn't know you were getting dressed. Take your time I'll head out," Maxwell stammered before quickly backing

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