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    Barbara was indeed eager to win against Mona at the Nathontown Design Competition and get revenge for being overlooked by Artemisst time. "Fine. I''ll work with you, but there are some things I won''t do, and you can''t pressure me into it Barbara said. Gordon, hearing what he wanted, pped his hands enthusiastically and smirked, "That''s the spirit."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    As their conversation continued, Barbara listened to Gordon recount how he nearly bankrupted thepany. He exined that he was negotiating a lucrative deal with an overseas partner, but someone sabotaged it, almost leading thepany to Then, Maxwell returned from abroad with a project that could save the Carter Group. His only condition was to take Gordon''s position in thepany.


    Thus, Richard agreed, and the Carter Group grew stronger under Maxwell''s leadership, while Gordon was left with the reputation of nearly ruining thepany.


    Just then, there was a knock at the door. Lydia had arrived.


    Gordon opened the door, and Barbara looked over to see ady with an angelic face,rge eyes, and a stunning figure that seemed mismatched with her looks. That was probably why everyone remembered her. "Hi, Im Barbara. It''s nice to meet you." Barbara extended her hand to Lydia.


    Lydia shook it casually. "I''m Lydia, you''re Mona''s cousin?"


    Barbara nodded. "Yes" They had no blood rtion, but it was a secret few knew. After all, the Clem family cared about Mona''s reputation and would never let anyone know that Jeremy wasn''t her biological father. In public, Barbara was still Mona''s Barbara.


    "Great. I''m participating in the Nathontown Design Competition and we have to win first ce. I can''t stand Mona winning." Lydia said through gritted teeth.


    She had just spent a year training abroad and was shocked to learn that Maxwell was already married. Lydia had her eyes on him first, so she couldn''t stand another woman winning Maxwell''s heart.


    Even if he was married, she wanted him to divorce.


    This was also why she had given up so many good opportunities abroad to return andpete in the Nathontown Design Competition. She needed to prove she was better than Mona and that Maxwell was making a mistake by marrying her. "Alright, since we''ve reached an agreement, let''s celebrate, Gordon suggested, smiling. With two beautiful women dining with him, he had a good appetite.


    "Enjoy yourselves. I have to go home. My grandpa is expecting to go back to have dinner. In a couple of days, he''s hosting a small weing ball, and you both shoulde," Lydia said before putting on her sunsses and mask and leaving. Once Lydia left, Barbara quickly found an excuse to exit the private room as well. Cordon''s reputation wasn''t great, and she didn''t want to get involved.


    After both women had left, Gordon sat in the private room, sighing quietly to himself. He thought, "What is this? I just wanted to have a meal with two beautiful women, and now they were gone.


    He would head back to the family. Richard would probably call Maxwell back too.


    Mona waspletely unaware of the deal made by the three. When her taxi pulled up to the Carter Group, she paid the


    fare and got out.


    She walked toward the Carter Group in a good mood. Even though she had been married to Maxwell for some time, she had never been to hispany.


    As soon as Mona entered, the receptionist approached her,


    The receptionist recognized her as Mr. Carter''s fiancée. They had just gotten engaged recently.


    Nigel had mentioned that if Mona ever came to thepany, she didn''t need to check in. She could go straight to the president''s office.


    Anyone who Nigel made a point to mention, especially the president''s fiancée, deserved extra attention. So, the receptionist made sure to remember Mona''s appearance, just in case they crossed paths. Sure enough, today, that memory came in handy. "Ms. Clem, you must be here to see the president. Pleasee with me. I''ll take you up," the receptionist said warmly.


    Mona nodded. "Yes, thank you."


    She hadn''t expected the receptionist to know she was looking for Maxwell right away. When she entered, Mona was worried she wouldn''t be allowed in and had prepared excuses to contact Nigel if necessary. But here she was, being led straight to Maxwell.


    It dawned on her that Maxwell must have arranged this in advance, and she felt enveloped in his affection.


    Maxwell must truly care for and value Mona to go out of his way to arrange every little detail so wlessly.


    The receptionist led Mona to the top floor, pointing to Maxwell''s office door. "Ms. Clem, you can go in by yourself. We''re not allowed inside the president''s office."


    As a mere receptionist, she usually didn''t even have the chance to go to the highest floor.


    Mona nodded and thanked her again. Once the receptionist left, Mona approached the door.


    Just before reaching it, she was stopped by someone who said unfriendly, "Who are you? Who brought you up here? Do you not know you can''t just wander in?"


    The speaker was Maxwell''s secretary. She was used to seeing some women who thought they were attractive sneaking into thepany, hoping tond a wealthy benefactor.


    And Maxwell was the best option among them, young, handsome, and rich. He was the dream patron for many.


    The secretary thought, "Now, another woman who thinks she is attractive has arrived. The secretary looked down on such women who sought shortcuts instead of working hard for their money. "Oh, I''m Mona, Maxwell''s fiancée. I''m here to see him," she said, unfazed by the hostility.


    The presence of such a person at Maxwell''spany indicated good management. If chaotic individuals were allowed in, they would be "invited" out, thus relieving Maxwell of many troubles. Fiancée?'' Macy Cummings thought to herself. Macy recalled Nigel mentioning that if she ever encountered Maxwell''s fiancée, she shouldn''t stop her,


    In an instant, Macy realized she had just misspoken by blocking Mona. If she offended Mona, it wouldn''t be good.


    I''m sorry, Ms. Clem. My tone was inappropriate. The president is in a meeting. Would you like to wait in his office, or should I go get him for you?" Macy said politely.


    She hoped to redeem herself in Mona''s eyes. She didn''t want Mona to say anything bad about her in front of Maxwell, especially since she was hoping for a promotion. 91%1


    "It''s fine. I can wait in his office. Mona didn''t take Macy''s tone to heart. She actually wished Macy treated everyone like this.


    Seeing Mona unbothered, Macy finally rxed. After a moment''s thought, she decided to inform Maxwell that Mona was waiting for him in the office.