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.

reaction, Maxwell felt relieved. "Nothing, just asking. Let's

with Maxwell. They stopped by Albert's

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

she looked at the food piled on her plate. Maxwell had never served her food at home

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

heading home, they decided to stay at the Clem family residence.

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Chapter 40

a

the bed, her skin

her phone onto the bed in frustration, letting

Who's upset you?" Maxwell asked, glancing at her phone, which displayed a game over

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

+5

worried about him

they weren't in a marriage of convenience, she might

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

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

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

have you played this game before?" Mona asked

head

the start button

concern and curiosity, worried that he might

remained unscathed,

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