Chapter 1402 - 1342: The Queen’s Identity Exposed

Tessa Harrington rushed out, and the lively atmosphere instantly quieted down.

James Winslow had completed three uniquely shaped ceramics, just waiting to be fired in the kiln. He washed his hands and looked at the shelves. Thanks to Paige Desmond’s help, half the shelves were empty.

"I really must thank you this time. Thanks to you, these ceramics sold out. Otherwise, who knows how many years they would have sat in the shop," James Winslow thanked Paige Desmond.

Paige Desmond said, "You’re exaggerating, these ceramics are all beautiful and not at all inferior to those antiques. It’s just that not enough people know about them. Once the market opens up, Secretary Winslow’s business will only get better and better."

"Thank you for your kind words."

"If your ceramics business really grows big, my sister-in-law will lose such a good assistant, and then she might complain about me."

James Winslow said, "I won’t be leaving anytime soon."

"You can’t bear to leave my sister-in-law, such a good boss, right?"

"I’m quite poor, the salary President Johnson provides is generous, I’m not willing to leave for now," James Winslow stated candidly.

His family’s financial situation wasn’t good, and because of that, he never had the courage to pursue Tessa Harrington.

Tessa came from a well-off family, and he was afraid people would say he was reaching too high; moreover, he worried Tessa would suffer following him.

Paige Desmond secretly observed James Winslow’s expression, noticing no trace of joy, she apologized, "I’m sorry, I seem to have turned good intentions into a bad outcome today."

Paige Desmond had noticed Tessa Harrington had no interest in James Winslow at all; it was a classic case of unrequited love.

"I appreciate your good intentions, I..."

A man suddenly entered from the doorway, and James Winslow assumed it was a customer and went over to greet him, "Sir, hello, how can I help you with your ceramics needs?"

The man, however, looked directly at Paige Desmond, his gaze fixed, and James Winslow followed his eyes to see Paige Desmond who had her back to them.

James Winslow asked, "Sir, would you like to buy something?"

Kiya ignored James Winslow, standing there watching the woman in the yellow bulky sweater, his eyes burning as if they could ignite, just like at their first meeting.

"Dad!"

Young Dylan, who was playing with clay, looked up and saw Kiya; he ran over and hugged him. The clay on his hands dirtied Kiya’s clothes, but Kiya didn’t mind.

"Dad, why did you come back?"

"Dylan!" Kiya picked up his son, weighed him, and said, "Your mom’s been taking good care of you; you’ve gotten chubbier."

"Not chubbier, just taller."

Paige Desmond kept her back to Kiya, aware he had arrived but did not turn around. Her daughter lay asleep in her arms, her face serene and free from worries.

Kiya, who always remained aloof, suddenly appeared; Paige Desmond couldn’t fathom why.

After the incident where the Queen Dowager attempted to kill her, why had Kiya come back, and how would they interact?

James Winslow looked astonished and said, "Are you Paige’s ex-husband?"

Ex-husband?

Kiya’s temples throbbed, and he glared fiercely at James Winslow, clarifying his identity while dispelling this man’s inappropriate thoughts.

"I’m her husband!"

James Winslow looked at Paige Desmond, somewhat confused, and asked her, "Didn’t you say you were divorced?"

Paige Desmond looked at James Winslow and explained, "Yes, indeed, I’m single by law."

Kiya walked over, looking at Ella nestled in her mother’s arms, sleeping soundly. He couldn’t help but reach out, wanting to hold her.

"Let me hold her," Kiya said to Paige Desmond.

Paige Desmond refused, softly saying, "She just fell asleep, don’t disturb her; if you do, she’ll wake and start crying."

Paige Desmond stood up and said to James Winslow, "Secretary Winslow, I’ll head back first; let me know when it’s fired, and I’ll come pick it up."

"I’ll bring it to the office for you."

"That works too."

"I’ll see you out." James Winslow put on his coat, considerately taking Paige Desmond’s coat and bag, but Kiya frowned and snatched them from James Winslow’s hands.

This damned man was actually trying to make advances on his woman.

Seeing James Winslow’s awkward expression, Paige Desmond said, "Aren’t you going to fire the ceramics soon? You’d better not see me off. Fire them early so I can see them sooner."

"Sure."

Kiya draped Paige Desmond’s coat over her and said, "It’s cold outside; wear your coat." Then, carefully, he took their daughter from her arms.

Ella was soft and carried a scent of milk; holding Ella, Kiya felt alive again.

This was his little princess, a blessing he had prayed to Almighty Anna for countless times.

Dylan said, "Goodbye, Uncle, I’ll come to play with you next time."

"Alright, when your puppy is fired, I’ll bring it to the office and give it to your mom," James Winslow said.

"Thank you."

James Winslow ruffled Dylan’s hair and smiled at him. Their relationship seemed particularly good, and it made Kiya, his father, feel like the outsider, which was unsettling.

Though it was noon, the outside temperature was still low. Paige Desmond bundled her daughter tightly and walked out, holding Dylan’s hand.

James Winslow accompanied them to the door, and Paige Desmond said, "It’s cold outside, don’t come out."

"It’s fine."

The Johnson Family’s driver had driven Paige Desmond there, and the car was parked by the roadside when Gavin drove up with Kiya’s car, got out, and opened the door for Paige Desmond.

"Queen, please get in the car," Gavin said to Paige Desmond.

Gavin letting Paige Desmond get in first was technically inappropriate; in Abyanabad, men were superior to women, and Kiya, being a Sultan, should have entered first. Abyanabadis didn’t have the chivalry of Avrupa and Westoria to give priority to women.

However, Paige Desmond was held in high regard by Kiya, and Gavin knew Kiya wouldn’t blame this impropriety; on the contrary, Kiya wanted it that way.

Queen? The title startled James Winslow.

He looked at Paige Desmond, puzzled at how to associate that title with her.

He thought she was just an ordinary divorced woman, albeit more beautiful than others.

"Goodbye," Paige Desmond bid farewell to James Winslow.

James Winslow smiled, exchanged a few words with Dylan, watched them board the car, and before Kiya got in, he shot an unfriendly look at James Winslow.

James Winslow didn’t hold it against Kiya and smiled, but Kiya wasn’t appeased.

All four of them got in the car, and James Winslow watched them leave.

"Rolls-Royce ROYALE, there are only 5 in the world, 4 in Abyanabad..."

James Winslow, fond of cars, was well-informed about luxury cars he could never afford.

This Rolls-Royce ROYALE, he had just seen it online a few days ago.