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.

felt relieved. "Nothing, just

desk before leaving the room with Maxwell. They stopped by Albert's room to call

a lively affair, with the family gathered around the table. In front of Mona's grandparents,

piled on her plate. Maxwell had never served her food at home before. Was he doing this just to impress

Mona thanked Maxwell and began eating. After all, it was a gesture from him, and she appreciated it. The taste was familiar, and with

dinner, instead of heading home, they decided to stay at the

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Chapter 40

usual, Mona took a shower first,

on the bed, her skin glowing from her skincare

frustration, letting out a

happened? Who's upset you?" Maxwell asked, glancing at her

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

+5

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

convenience, she might have sought comfort

their arrangement, Mona was unsure when-or if-Maxwell might develop feelings for her. She hesitated to act too familiarly, fearing it might

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

to Maxwell, leaving just a hand's breadth between them. Any slight movement would bring

played this game before?" Mona asked

his head honestly.

start button and began a

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

remained

be 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 game?" Mona asked, looking at Maxwell