All Chapters of The Queen's Second Life: Chapter 41 - Chapter 46

At that moment, Juan came in carrying a glass of warm milk. “Your performance earlier was great,” he said. “Honestly, I was afraid you’d waver because of all that strange news.”Maia only smiled. “No, I’m fine. This isn’t the first time the world has been cruel to a woman, especially to a newcomer.”Juan sat across from her. “But if you start feeling unsafe, you can consider taking a break. Or if you want, we can move.”Maia gently shook her head. “Precisely because I know the situation isn’t safe, I want you to allow me to hire a personal bodyguard. Not just for me, but for Leo too.”Juan was slightly surprised, though he quickly hid it. “Are you sure it’s necessary to that extent?”“Juan,” she said softly but firmly, “I just want to keep everything safe. I know the people behind me might play dirty, and I have to be prepared.”Juan looked at his wife, thinking. “Okay. If it makes you feel safe, I’ll support it.”Maia knew Rose might go even crazier. But now, she had her own stage, h

Maia did not blink. But her heart beat twice as fast.Mike leaned back in his chair. “There used to be someone who always said something like this… The price can be adjusted, as long as the risk and control remain in my hands. And you just said something similar.”Maia pretended not to understand. “Maybe that’s common thinking for a woman who’s often surrounded by cunning people, isn’t it?”Jane laughed. “That’s true. Women are smart nowadays. Ma’am, don’t be too sensitive about someone’s negotiation style, okay?”But Mike was still staring at Ruby, with an unusual look in his eyes.There was a long silence. Then Mike spoke softly, but clearly.“Fine. We’ll look for the best female personnel. But if within a month no one meets the standard, feel free to cancel this contract.”Maia nodded slowly. “Deal.”They stood up, and Jane shook Maia’s hand enthusiastically. But Mike… did not shake that hand.He only looked at Ruby one more time, as if trying to pierce through something invisible.

He walked to the refrigerator, opened the door, and took a bottle of water. But his mind had already drifted far away—to Maia’s signature spiral movement.To the snacks he always received before a mission.To the sharp gaze that could make even the wildest subordinate kneel.Mike took a swallow and whispered in his heart, If that’s you, Boss… what are you doing here, disguising yourself as a singer and living in the house of a soft-hearted man like Juan?And more than that, should I let you drown in this new world… or pull you back to the old one we once ruled together?He stood in the kitchen long after Jane went to her room. The bottle in his hand was covered in condensation, but he didn’t even notice.His thoughts replayed everything Jane had said. The way she sat. The way she folded clothes. The way she stared and reacted to the slightest sound.All of it… too familiar.That’s the Boss’s style. The sentence kept echoing in his head.Mike closed his eyes. Memories came like a storm