The Queen's Back

THE

Chapter 337

Mona retraced her steps along the path she had just taken, the rain seeming to pour harder. Disoriented, she wandered to a corner she had passed earlier, catching a metallic scent of blood mingling with the fresh aroma of rain-washed city air. Lowering her head, she noticed blood mixing with the rainwater flowing downwards. As she crouched down, her lengthy hair dripped wetly against her neck. Blood-it was unmistakably blood. When she looked up, Mona saw a torn tie soaked in rain and mingled with the crimson liquid.

She picked up the torn tie, holding it in her hands. The rain blurred her vision to the point where she could barely keep her eyes open, but in that one glance, she recognized the tie, Maxwell had worn on the day of their accident. 'How could it be here?' she thought.

Then she recalled her name, which she had faintly heard moments ago. She looked up just in time to see a few shadowy figures disappearing around the corner of a wall, one strikingly familiar.

Instinctively, Mona ran toward them, but after only a couple of steps, exhaustion overcame her, and she collapsed. The figures vanished utterly from her sight, and although she wanted to remember, she had no strength left to do so.

She shouted at the top of her lungs, "Maxwell Carter, is that you? Are you back?" Her voice echoed in the rain, each cry tearing at her heart, releasing the pent-up grievances and pain she had carried for so long, but the only response was the sound of the rain. She recalled the faint silhouette she had just seen-though it was far away and the sky was dark, she recognized it, it was Maxwell. With renewed determination, she convinced herself that the Maxwell she knew was still out there, that he wasn't truly gone. Maxwell was not in Welintern; he had returned to Nathontown by her side. It was just that someone was holding him back, trapping him.

Mona didn't know how long she had been lying in the rain until it finally began to lighten, and the distant sky gradually brightened with the first hints of dawn. She clutched the torn tie tightly, like a drowning person grasping their last lifeline.

In a hoarse whisper, she murmured, "That Maxwell Carter is a fake." Her voice was barely recognizable, her lips chapped and dry from thirst.

Mona sensed that Maxwell was nearby, though she couldn't pinpoint his location. She had fallen from exhaustion and didn't want to fight against the rain anymore. She firmly believed the Maxwell at home was an imposter, while the real one was in Nathontown, in the villa community around her.

drag her exhausted body back to the villa, Haley spotted her disheveled and hurried over. "Mona, what happened? Are

as she told Haley, "I'm fine. Keep the bodyguard at the door, and don't let Maxwell leave.

must know something about Maxwell, Mona thought. Haley noticed the torn tie in Mona's hand and seemed to have an idea. She quickly nodded, saying, "Mona, don't worry

room and noticed that the door next to hers was still tightly shut, with that imposter and that beauty asleep inside.

had heard last night and her suspicions over the past

rain clinging to her clothes and skin, making her Nncomfortable. She longed to take

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Chapter 337

herself and wash away

could finish drying her hair, Haley called from the door, "Mona,

words, Mona's hand trembled as she looked at her pale reflection in the mirror. She replied softly, "Got it. Have him wait in the living room; I'll be out shortly." She thought, 'It's early for him to be

mirror. Her large eyes still looked the same, but the spark was replaced by weariness. She quickly dried her hair and put on the down jacket, which made her seem to wrap herself tightly before heading out. Her legs ached, but her heart felt

the sofa. "What's going on? What brings Mr. Carter to my home this early?" she said, sitting across from him. At her words, Gordon looked up, his gaze lingering on

Carter, you certainly have your ear to the ground; I admire that. But

you

you have lost weight; it seems you didn't sleep well last night. Since you've already suffered this much, why not just end it? A clean break would be for the

fine, just a bit tired, so I won't keep you chatting," Mona replied as she stood up. From Gordon's words, she understood that whatever the imposter had done last night seemed