The Queen's Back

Chapter 36

"Then let's go. Help me downstairs," Mona said as she stood up.

Old Mrs. Hattic assisted Mona down the stairs and then quietly went to prepare tea. Mona took a seat opposite Barbara, exuding the air of a hostess.

"What brings you here, cousin?" Mona asked casually.

Barbara's lips curled into a slight smile as she looked at Mona with feigned concern. "I heard you were robbed abroad and had to stay in the hospital for a long time. It scared me! Are you alright?" Mona truly had a stroke of luck; encountering a robbery abroad yet emerging without serious harm was remarkable.

'If something had happened to her-like a scar on her face-Maxwell would surely divorce her. After all, how could the CEO of Carter Group want someone with a flaw in their appearance? Barbara thought. Facing Barbara Burton's insincere concern, Mona felt a wave of nausea. She didn't even want to continue the charade. "Your sources are quite up-to-date, cousin," she replied coolly.

Aside from Teddy, who knew about the incident, Mona hadn't even informed her grandparents.

Barbara laughed awkwardly. "I was just worried about you. I heard you took a couple more days off after returning, so I kept an eye on the news from Arkenvale."

After Old Mrs. Hattie served the tea, she quietly left the room.

Mona picked up her tea and took a delicate sip. "Thank you for your concern, Barbara, but as you can see, I'm perfectly fine."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries. When Mona didn't mention anything about designing for Artemis Rain, Barbara couldn't resist asking, "By the way, did you get to meet the celebrity Artemis Rain?" Mona shook her head honestly. "No, I didn't."

Hearing this, Barbara felt a surge of satisfaction. If Mona hadn't met Artemis, it meant her design hadn't been seen, suggesting that Mona's trip to Arkenvale was in vain.

of sympathy. "I see. Well, no worries, Mona. I should get going; I

misunderstood, thinking she hadn't been chosen by Artemis Rain. Mona decided not

information, and now that Barbara had gotten what she wanted, Mona was content to

colleagues at the company would hear about her supposed failure. However, Mona wasn't concerned about clarifying things immediately. She felt there was no rush to set the record straight and thought it would be more

left, she couldn't help but smile, feeling as if even the summer

leaving the house from a distance. Initially, he thought he might have mistaken the place, but as

to greet him, but seeing him ignore her, she stomped her foot

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and her status as

for Artemis Rain. She wanted everyone to see that she was better, with

Mona's shares through Teddy, Maxwell would be eager to

found Mona sitting alone on the sofa, lost in

much better today than yesterday. I should be

75%

Mona's eagerness, Maxwell considered suggesting she rest for a couple more days but decided against it. "Alright, I'll take you to the office then." Mona nodded, a smile playing on

safely at the company.

her, their gazes filled with mockery and amusement, as if they

+5

to speak directly to Mona, wary of provoking her wrath. Instead, they observed her from a distance, their curiosity piqued as they exchanged whispers and glances. Mona noticed their stares and smirked slightly. They were expecting her to fail, but she was ready to surprise

you Elara, one of the few genuine friends Mona had at the company, looked at her with concern. "How did accident? It seems like traveling abroad isn't as