The Queen's Back (Mona and Maxwell) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86 

“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 buyer 

1/8 

08:13 Thu, Oct 24 

Chapter 86 

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.”