The Queen's Back

Chapter

39

"I'm sorry, Grandpa, Grandma. It's my fault for not taking better care of Mona," Maxwell said, his voice filled with guilt. "I'll make sure to be more attentive when we return." He hadn't realized Mona had lost weight. She was already light, and now the thought of her getting thinner filled him with

remorse.

Mona, however, didn't feel she had lost weight. Hearing Maxwell's words warmed her heart.

"Come on, let's s go inside

and talk!" Bernard said, smiling. He could see the affection in Maxwell's eyes when he looked at Mona, much like the way he looked at his own wife, Jane. Words could deceive, but the eyes could not. When someone was in love, their gaze was filled with warmth. Maxwell's gaze at Mona was full of love, something Bernard had never seen in Teddy.

Mona and Maxwell followed her grandparents into the living room. Mona linked arms with Jane, while Maxwell walked behind them.

The four of them sat in the living room, chatting about Mona and Maxwell's life abroad. Before they knew it, Albert had returned home. He acknowledged Mona's presence with a slight nod. "Grandpa, Grandma, is Albert upset?" Mona asked.

Mona wasn't sure how to feel about her half-brother; Albert. She remembered his tragic life in her past and felt a pang of sympathy. Yet she knew that in Albert's eyes, she could never compare to Barbara. She also wondered if

if Barbara had played a role in Albert's past struggles with addiction, given her interest in his shares of the Clem Group. Mona resolved to expose Barbara's true intentions and make Albert see her for who she really was. In Barbara's eyes, there was no family, only self-interest. Albert's distance from Mona

om Mona was partly due to Barbara's meddling and partly due to Mona's own lack of initiative in building their relationship.

still upset with us for expelling Beatrice and her

been with them for so long, and now Barbara was revealed

opportunity to design

smiled and said, "Well, being your granddaughter, I'm thrilled to have this

to start as a design assistant. I wanted you to take things slowly, so you'd have credibility with the team," Bernard explained. When Mona first joined the company, Bernard had considered starting her as a

her as a designer might have sparked gossip, so he decided she should

makes sense, Grandpa. I understand,"

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watched her with a smile. Sitting with her family felt like a dream to

meal. Maxwell offered to help in the kitchen. This delighted Mona's grandparents, and she secretly told them that Maxwell often cooked for her at home. Once again, her grandparents felt that Mona

sitting in the living room for a while, Mona went to Albert's room on the second floor. She knocked and said, "Albert, it's me. I'm coming in." Albert, now

door's open. Come

Albert was at his computer, gaming with headphones on, embodying the rebellious teen image. Mona pulled up a up a chair and sat beside him, silently watching him play. His fingers were long and agile, and

replied, "Not bad, I guess. But you

wanted to

Albert gave

as if questioning why she had the time