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.

her indifferent reaction, Maxwell felt relieved. "Nothing, just asking.

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

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

she looked at the food piled on her plate. Maxwell had never served her food at home before. Was he doing

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

stay at the Clem family residence. Once they

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Chapter 40

took a shower first, followed

from the bathroom, Mona was already sitting on the bed, her

bed in frustration,

upset you?" Maxwell asked, glancing at her phone, which displayed a

infuriating game! I'm trying so hard, but I

+5

she wasn't worried about him teasing her. She

in a marriage of convenience, she might have sought comfort in Maxwell's

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

his long fingers already reaching for her phone as he

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

have you played this game before?" Mona

head honestly. "No,

start button

with a mix of concern and curiosity, worried that he

character remained unscathed, with the health bar

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