Mona smiled and said. "Even if it were possible, I wouldn''t let you do that, cousin. I want topete with you fairly!"


    Her words were confident yet humble, earning her the goodwill of those around her.


    Barbara looked at Mona, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity. The Mona she once knew would never have spoken this way.


    In the past, Mona had always been trailing behind Teddy, constantly calling him "Teddy Baby."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Ever since Mona discovered Barbara''s affair with Teddy, it was as if she had be a different person. She was no longer obsessed with romance but focused her energy on design.


    Barbara forced a smile and said, "You''re right, Mona. Let''spete fairly. I hope you''ll give it your all!"


    "Of course!"


    Barbara, preupied with thoughts of Teddy, arranged to meet him at a hotel even before the workday ended. Teddy assumed that Barbara, whom he considered his little enchantress, was eager to see him. As soon as he received her message, he booked a hotel room.


    After work, Barbara drove straight to the address Teddy had sent her and walked right in.


    The moment she entered the room, Teddy embraced her, covering her face with kisses. Barbara looked at him with disdain.


    Without theparison to Maxwell, Teddy seemed fine in Barbara''s eyes. But after meeting Maxwell, she realized that only a man with his charisma was worthy of her. Now, she saw Teddy merely as a tool. Feigning affection, Barbara wrapped her arms around Teddy''s neck and said softly, "Teddy, wait a moment. I have something to discuss with you."


    Teddy held Barbara close, his hands wandering over her skin.


    "Teddy, I have something to ask you," Barbara said, resting her head on his arm with a coy expression.


    The recent intimacy had drained much of her energy.


    "Sure, what is it?"


    Barbara turned in Teddy''s arms and asked, "Teddy, have you made up with my cousin yet?"


    The mention of this topic angered Teddy, who was already considering giving up on Mona. "No, I''m thinking of letting her go," he replied coldly.


    During theirst argument, he had humbled himself to reconcile with Mona, only to find out she had married Maxwell. For someone he didn''t truly care about, he wasn''t willing to invest much effort.


    As for the pressure from the Clem and Carter Groups on the Powers Group, he was contemting forming an alliance with another family.


    Hearing Teddy''s words, Barbara tightened her grip on his arm. "Why, Teddy? Don''t you want the shares my cousin holds?" If Teddy were to give up on Mona, it would mean she could live happily with Maxwell. This left Barbara wondering how she could win Maxwell over. The thought of this angered Teddy. "Why? Because Mona has already married Maxwell. How could I marry someone who''s been divorced? Mona and Maxwell are legally married-didn''t you know?"


    Logically, Barbara, being Mana''s cousin, should have known about something as significant as Mona getting married. It seemed unlikely that such news would have escaped her notice.


    Barbara feigned surprise. "They''re married?"


    "You didn''t know?" Teddy asked in disbelief.


    "No," Barbara replied, looking at Teddy with a face full of feigned innocence. "You might not know, but my mother and I were kicked out of the Clem family because my biological father is Jeremy. So I know nothing about my cousin''s affairs." Barbara''s voice was filled with feigned sadness, and her eyes glistened with tears, which tugged at Teddy''s heartstrings.


    Teddy kissed her cheek reassuringly. "Don''t be upset, Barbara. It''s my fault for misunderstanding. It''s the Clem family''s loss for not valuing you. They''ll regret it one day."


    Barbara sniffed and said, "I don''t me you, Teddy. I think my cousin married Maxwell to get back at you. She still likes you. Remember how she treated you during college? She designed suits for you and brought you meals every day. Feelings don''t change that easily. She just wants you to pay more attention to her."


    Seeing Teddy remain silent, Barbara continued, "And if we want to get the Clem Group shares, Mona is key. Once we have them, you can divorce her anytime, and I''ll be waiting for you."


    "You''re right, Barbara. We''ve wanted those shares for so long; there''s no reason to give up now."


    This was the oue Barbara desired. After aligning their goals, the two had dinner together before heading home.


    Meanwhile, after work, Mona went with Maxwell to the Clem family home to pick up a design book containing her college


    notes.


    Since Mona and Maxwell traveled abroad, they hadn''t returned home. Mona knew her grandparents were particrly worried after hearing about her ident from thepany.


    If Maxwell hadn''t reassured them that it was just a minor ident, they likely would havee to see her immediately.


    Upon arriving at the Clem family home, the household staff greeted them warmly. Jane took a good look at Mona and concluded that she had lost weight during her time abroad.


    "Mona, have you not been eating well overseas? Your face looks thinner," Jane said affectionately, holding Mona''s hand. Hearing this, Maxwell also nced at Mona, realizing that, having been with her constantly, he hadn''t noticed any changes. But now, he saw that she had indeed lost weight.