The Queen's Back

"Barbara, don't they look great? You should try them on. They're your size," Mona said, kindly guiding Barbara to sit down.

The nearby sales associates watched them with cautious eyes, terrified of damaging the shoes or accidentally switching them out. After all, it would take a lifetime of working to pay off the price of these shoes. "Yeah, you should definitely try them on. They look stunning. I think they really suit you," Ava chimed in.

Barbara gazed at the shoes at her feet, increasingly enchanted. Since she was already seated, she thought, "Why not give it a go? If they don't fit, I could just say no. Trying them on won't hurt!

With the help of the sales associate, Barbara slipped on one shoe. Under the lights, the sleek design sparkled beautifully, and Barbara couldn't tear her eyes away from them. However, the price still loomed heavily in her mind. "Miss, those shoes look fantastic on you. Why not try the other one and see how it looks?" The sales associate smiled, already reaching for the precious shoe and placing it at Barbara's feet, eager to help her try it on.

This pair had been sitting unsold in the store, and if the sales associate managed to sell them today, her commission would exceed her monthly salary.

Barbara admired her reflection in the shoe. It felt tailor-made for her, and she didn't want to take them off.

"Barbara, you look amazing in those shoes," Mona feigned enthusiasm.

Truth be told, Mona wasn't fond of the shoes Barbara wore, especially considering they would pair with a dress covered in diamonds. It just felt like flaunting wealth.

"Mona's right. They look great. Just buy them, Barbara. You can definitely afford it," Ava echoed, reinforcing Mona's words.

Perhaps because she had spent so much time with Mona since childhood, their tastes had become remarkably aligned, except for the changes during their college years.

When the sales assistants overheard Ava saying money wasn't an issue, they pulled out all the stops, showering Barbara with compliments about the shoes she was wearing. Of course, some of their praise was genuine, as they too had a fondness for diamond-studded items.

In the end, as Barbara absorbed the eager glances from everyone around her, coupled with her own admiration for the shoes, she felt guilty refusing their encouragement.

Just then, Maxwell and Bud walked in.

As soon as they entered, Bud's voice boomed, "Hey, it really is you, Mona. I was just telling Maxwell I thought it was you in here, and it turns out I was right. We were just wandering around, and look at that, we ran into each other. What a coincidence." "Wow, what a coincidence," Mona replied, surprised to see Maxwell shopping for clothes at that moment, especially since they were on the women's floor.

Maxwell stood quietly beside Bud. Upon spotting Mona, he moved closer to her, eyeing the shoes on Barbara's feet. Then, looking at Mona, he instructed the sales associate, "Get me a pair in size 7. Wrap them up."

By a twist of fate. Barbara's shoes were indeed size 7, and since they were a custom pair, there was only this one set available. no other sizes.

Since Barbara was wearing them, the sales associate asked, "Miss, are you planning to buy these shoes?"

The implication was clear. If Barbara didn't want them, they would sell them to someone else, as there was already a buyerNôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

waiting.

15

".." Barbara's eyes darted to Maxwell, wondering why he sudderdy wanted those shoes. Could it be he intended to gift them to me? That seems unrealistic, Barbara thought.

She recalled adding him on WhatsApp, but he still hadn't accepted her request. Did he just not see it, or was he ignoring my request? Barbara thought.

While Barbara contemplated, the sales associate reiterated her earlier question.

Maxwell subtly took Mona's hand, drawing small circles in her palm as if to communicate that he was buying for her.

A tingling sensation spread across Mona's palm as she looked up meeting Maxwell's gaze, filled with affection. Her heart raced, feeling as if butterflies were fluttering inside her.

Maxwell's presence disrupted her plan to encourage Barbara to buy the shoes, but seeing Barbara blush and struggle between wanting the shoes and not wanting to part with her money, Mona felt a sense of satisfaction.

In this new life, she wanted to do anything to make Barbara unhappy or uncomfortable.

But Mona felt that she was being wasteful letting Maxwell spend so much money

her.

"Barbara, it's a simple question. If you want them, buy them. If not, just say so." Ava said, her gaze subtly shifting to Bud.

Ever since that time Ava had been drugged and had a hazy encounter with Bud, she often found herself thinking about him. Eventually, she realized she might have developed feelings for Bud

Finally, Beatrice, who had been silent until now, said, "Barbara, since Maxwell wants to buy those shoes, just let them go."

Her words were perfect. They not only provided Barbara an excuse to pass on the shoes but also showcased her graciousness to everyone present.

Hearing Beatrice's comment, Barbara felt reluctant. She gazed at the shoes on her feet, admiring their beauty and how well, they suited her. Yet she understood that buying them meant she would have no money left. She couldn't purchase them now. She had to heed Beatrice's advice.

She looked at Maxwell and flashed a smile tinged with regret. With her naturally innocent appearance, embodying the image of a good girl, this smile only enhanced her purity, making anyone who saw her unable to resist feeling a sense of tenderness for her. Reluctantly, she removed the shoes, glancing at them longingly before handing them to the sales associate.

both

Barbara's jealousy toward Mona grew more intense, making her wish she could do away with Mona altogether. They had

grown up in the Clem family, yet because of their bloodline, Mona had always been better off. Even in small matters like pocket money, Beatrice would often sneak Mona a bit more As for the guests at the Clem family, every single one would shower praise on Mona, while Barbara would only receive a passing comment.

These minor grievances had accumulated over time, and jealousy began to take root in Barbara's heart, growing stronger with each passing moment. She wanted everything Mona had for herself.

Seeing Barbara's expression, Bud couldn't help but smirk. If he hadn't been with Maxwell and unaware of Barbara's affair with Mona's fiancé, he would have thought Maxwell and Mona were bullying her.

Maybe he would have been kind enough to simply buy the shoes for Barbara

Yet now, observing Barbara, he felt she was especially cunning.

Maxwell swiped his card without a hint of hesitation and then turned to Mona with a look that suggested he intended to reward her.