Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 190: Chapter 190

Maisie had already agreed, so neither Aria nor Cloe could say no.
As they found a quiet moment, Owen leaned over and asked, "What does Maisie like most?"
Aria replied, "Gold is her favorite, followed by dolls. She loves making clothes for them. But she has so many dolls, she can't take care of them all, so if you want to get her a gift, gold is your best bet."
"Thanks." He hesitated, then asked, "What about you? What do you like?"
"You're asking me?" Aria looked up, surprised to see Owen watching her.
He smiled. "Your birthday's coming up soon. As your friend and neighbor, it's only right I get you something."
She wasn't surprised he knew her birthday—he'd handled her divorce after all. When they reached the car, Aria unlocked it and said, "Owen, you don't have to be so formal."
He opened the back door and let Cloe and Maisie in, then glanced back at Aria with a small grin. "But you've got to have some sense of occasion."
Aria didn't push the issue. "Then get whatever you want. I'm not picky."
Just then, Emma and James walked over.
Emma said, "Owen, the driver had to leave, so your father and I will take your car. Aria, you all live in the same building, so after Maisie's birthday, could you give him a ride back?"
It wasn't an unreasonable request, so Aria agreed.
Before getting in, Emma shot Owen a "go get her" look, but he was too busy thinking about what gift to get Aria to notice.
Aria drove, Owen took the passenger seat.
He turned to the back, smiling in the mirror. "Maisie, do you remember your home address?"
"Of course!" Maisie rattled off the address, then pulled out her smartwatch. "What's your number? I'll save it."
Owen gave her his number, and within seconds an unfamiliar call came through. Maisie said, "Remember to save Maisie's number."
"Will do," Owen promised.
Maisie was grinning ear to ear in the rearview mirror—utterly adorable.
Owen's eyes softened; he couldn't help thinking that if Kim had raised Maisie, she wouldn't be the cheerful, sweet child she was now.
No one loved her more than Cloe did. She was much better off with her mom than she'd ever be with Kim.
Owen quietly sent a message on his phone.
Cloe's place was close to Amour Bistro, so they arrived in twenty minutes.
Owen lagged behind, and just as they got to the building, the out-of-breath restaurant manager rushed over, handing him a big bag. "Mr. Shaw, here's what you asked for."
"Thank you," Owen said, giving his signature polite smile before stepping into the elevator.
Inside, Maisie immediately noticed the bag in his hand. "Whoa, are you a magician? I didn't see you holding anything before!"
Owen's smile was gentle. "It's your birthday today—luckily, I made it in time."
Maisie's eyes lit up with anticipation. After cake, she couldn't wait to open her present.
Inside were a longevity locket, golden cicada, golden gourd,golden butterfly...
Over twenty little treasures. She loved every single one.
But her absolute favorite was still the big gold bar and gold phoenix Aria had given her.
A knock came at the door. Emma, James, and even Kim came by, all with presents for Maisie.
Beaming, Maisie said, "Help me carry these! I want to show you my special room for gifts!"
"Of course," Owen agreed.
Cloe watched her busy little girl and finally felt her worries melt away.
Maisie was surrounded by love—she should be happy.
It was clear now that the Shaw family wasn't going to fight her for her child.
After showing off her collection, Maisie suddenly asked, "Do you like Aria?"
Owen replied, "I do."
Maisie's eyes sparkled. "Then can you be her husband?"
Owen patted her head. "No, Maisie. I like Aria as a friend."
Maisie frowned. "Is that different?"
Owen chuckled, "You'll understand when you're older."
"Oh. Okay."
Owen couldn't help but laugh. "Are you trying to find Aria a husband?"
Maisie nodded earnestly. "Mom says if you want to spend your whole life with someone, it has to be your husband. I have Mommy, Mommy has me, Vanessa has her assistant... But Aria's all alone."
Liam didn't count—he'd never even really been with Aria, and never gave her gifts. Maisie didn't like him at all.
Owen was genuinely touched that a five-year-old could worry about adult relationships.
He said gently, "Don't worry, Aria's wonderful. I'm sure she'll find someone perfect for her."
Though, honestly, someone good enough for Aria would be tough to find.
On the way back, Owen offered to drive, and Aria didn't argue.
Aria's phone buzzed. Patrick had sent a document.
Patrick: [Info on thirteen people—they probably snuck back into Huthailia. The ringleader let me and Rhett go, we're on our way back.]
The ringleader was Hudson Dodson, a boxer turned mercenary who'd stolen something and vanished.
There was a 25-million-dollar bounty on his head.
He was skilled, nearly impossible to track, and now led a crew of fanatics.
Taking him down would be no small feat.
Hudson was linked to the Solemnity Guild, so he'd certainly know who Aria was.
She was sure Hudson didn't really believe Rhett and Patrick had scammed her out of 100 million dollars.
He must know she was baiting him.
But with all that money, how could he resist?
The more often she appeared, the more likely she'd get discovered, especially as Hudson's followers kept dwindling.
Once this last score was pulled off, they'd disappear. That was the risk—he'd definitely take the bait.
One of his hackers was tracking Patrick, who'd never shown his full hand and always let himself seem a bit less skilled.
While captive, he'd secretly hacked into their system and recorded everyone's details.
Vanessa had already tracked down Hudson's identity, but nothing on the rest.
Bounty hunters never hurt Huthailians; it was an unspoken rule.
Break it, and the bounty just got bigger, with the local police never letting up.
No one wanted that trouble.
Aria was confident Patrick and Rhett wouldn't be hurt, but they'd taken a huge risk—if caught, they'd be dead for sure.
Those two idiots had almost gotten themselves killed.
She closed the chat, just as Fryderyk called.
"Aria, I've confirmed they snuck back to Huthailia. Come by the station."
"Got it."
Her phone was loud enough for Owen to hear, and he immediately took a turn toward the police station.
"You're coming too, Owen?" Aria asked.
"Yeah. Allen will probably call me any second now."
He'd already guessed why Fryderyk wanted Aria—those people were targeting her.
Just then, his phone rang.
Owen smiled. "Would you mind answering for me?"