The Queen's Back

Chapter 22

Mona quietly observed the two people on the floor, both looking rather disheveled. Jeremy, in particular, had red marks on his cheeks from slapping himself. Yet, she felt no sympathy for them. Instead, a flicker of satisfaction crossed her mind, though it wasn't enough. She wished for Barbara to experience the same suffering she had endured.

It wasn't just the physical pain she wanted Barbara to feel, but the emotional anguish as well. The words Barbara had spoken to her just before her death had revealed that her entire life had been a cruel joke. And that joke was orchestrated by none other than Barbara and Teddy!

"Enough! Everyone, be quiet!" Bernard shouted, glaring at the three kneeling before him. With a swift motion, he knocked the scalding water off the coffee table.

of

The mix f shattered teacups and spilled water splattered around them, causing the three to flinch. Beatrice's dress was soaked, yet none of them dared to utter a complaint. Indeed, it was Jeremy and Beatrice who had committed such a disgraceful act, and angering the family elders was inevitable. To them, Barbara's very existence was a mistake. How could Bernard not be furious? His beloved daughter was gone, and now this scandal had come to light! "Dad, I..." Jeremy stammered, unsure where to begin.

From t the first day he had joined the family, Bernard had looked down on him. In front of the elders, Jeremy's timid nature had become ingrained. Even though he was now the much-envied general manager of the Clem Group, he remained spineless in their presence. "Come on, explain yourselves. When did this start between you two? You've really betrayed my daughter!" Bernard's clouded with anger, bore into the three on the floor, his hand tapping the armrest of the sofa with authority. eyes,

Beatrice and Barbara remained silent, knowing that saying nothing was the best way to avoid further displeasing the elders. Jeremy glanced at Mona, who was seated next to Jane, seemingly hesitating about whether to speak. "What are you looking at? Speak!" Bernard commanded, his voice brooking no argument, as he hurled a cup to the floor near Jeremy.

Jeremy, startled, quickly lifted his head and shifted his gaze away from Mona.

With a sigh, Jeremy began, "Mom, Dad, this all started when Emily and I got married. Our marriage was an arrangement. Emily was already pregnant when we wed, which means Mona isn't my biological daughter. Emily married me to give her child a father, and you both knew I loved her, so I agreed without thinking twice."

The revelation stunned the Clem family elders and Albert. They were completely blindsided by the fact that Mona was not Jeremy's daughter.

she had known this truth for a long time. The arranged marriage was

tightly, worried

whether Mona was Jeremy's daughter, she was Emily's, and she carried the Clem family blood. She was their beloved

her sister!" Bernard exclaimed, his anger

Chapter 22

gone, and he still needed to stand up for

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just found out that Barbara is my child. Please, forgive me for the years I've spent working hard for the Clem family," Jeremy pleaded

so well of himself,

It explains why he's so good to my cousin, even personally driving her

had noticed Jeremy's

sympathy for Mona, and even Albert looked at her with newfound compassion. He had never imagined that Mona and he didn't share the same

over the years, I've truly come to see you as my own

to be said once; others would think

expression, Bernard made a decision. "Beatrice, you and Barbara need to pack up and leave. From now on, the Clem family has no place for you. Jeremy, I'll let this slide for Albert's sake, but if it happens again, you'll be out

too.

100.

at Bernard in disbelief. She had been raised by his side and had always served