The Queen's Back

Chapter 40

Mona blushed at her brother's teasing and said, "It's my first time playing! I'll get better next time."

Albert looked at her, not saying much more.

Afterward, Mona played a couple more rounds. She improved slightly, managing to dodge a punch before being knocked out by a kick, but the game still ended quickly.

Albert shook his head with a hint of amusement.

Mona sighed as she looked at the fallen character on the screen. I'm done for now. You go ahead and play. I'll call you when it's time to eat."

She decided she would practice the game more before trying again, as she felt a bit embarrassed by her performance.

Returning to her room, Mona focused on her real task. She sat at her desk and began-flipping through her college design book.

She couldn't help but admire her past dedication; the pages were filled with detailed notes, some of which she had forgotten writing. As she reviewed her notes, she aimed to refine her design sketches, striving for perfection.

When Maxwell came upstairs to call Mona for dinner, he found her deeply engrossed in her work. She was seated at her desk, pencil in hand, sketching carefully. Occasionally, she would erase a line and redraw it, repeating the process with focused determination. Maxwell watched her for a moment before approaching. When he saw the book she was using, his heart skipped a beat. He remembered discreetly discarding a photo from that book in the past.

He wondered if he should confess to throwing it away if Mona asked, or pretend ignorance. He felt conflicted.

"Hey, Maxwell, you're here! Look at the dress I just redesigned. Doesn't it look better now?" Mona asked with a smile, showing him her latest sketch.

Maxwell glanced at the design and nodded instinctively. "It's much more refined. Have you noticed anything missing?"

He was referring to the photo of Mona and Teddy that he had secretly discarded.

"What do you mean?" Mona asked, her attention still on her design. She hadn't noticed anything missing.

relieved. "Nothing, just asking. Let's go

room with Maxwell. They stopped by

family gathered around the table. In front of Mona's grandparents, Maxwell openly served her food,

plate. Maxwell had never served her food

gesture from him, and she appreciated it. The taste was familiar, and with just one bite, Mona realized it was

at the Clem family residence. Once they finished

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Chapter 40

Mona took a shower first, followed by

already sitting on the bed, her skin

onto the bed in frustration,

Maxwell asked, glancing at her phone, which displayed a

phone and said, "This infuriating game! I'm trying so hard, but I

+5

frustration, she wasn't worried about him teasing her. She looked at him

marriage of convenience, she might

their arrangement, Mona was unsure when-or if-Maxwell might develop feelings for her. She hesitated

try," Maxwell offered, his long fingers already reaching for her phone

just a hand's breadth between them. Any slight movement would

this game before?" Mona asked

shook his head honestly. "No,

start button and

concern and curiosity, worried that he might meet the same quick defeat she had and feel

character remained unscathed, with the health

playing for the first time, yet have such different outcomes? "You're amazing! I got knocked out right away. Is there a trick to this