The Queen's Back

Chapter 359

Albert and Haley walked into the kitchen and saw Maxwell frying vegetables while Mona stood beside him, assisting him.

Looking at the two figures, they seemed exceptionally well-matched.

Haley greeted Mona and said, "Albert says that he wants to apologize to you."

Albert had been unsure how to start, but with Haley's words, he no longer felt anxious. It felt much easier to speak up. "Mona, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pressured you to apologize carlier."

"Oh," Mona replied calmly.

Mona had always wanted Albert to get to know the real Barbara, but there had never been an opportunity. On top of that, Barbara had purposely allowed Albert to witness the moment she scratched Barbara's hand. Mona felt that perhaps she and Barbara held equal standing in Albert's eyes, which explained why Albert demanded that she apologize to Barbara. Mona understood his perspective.

What she was not sure about was whether Albert would see through Barbara's hypocrisy after this incident. However, it seemed unlikely, as Albert did not tend to think in that direction at all.

"Mona, don't be angry with me. It's not good for your health." Albert did not know whether Mona was still angry with him when he saw how nonchalant she was.

"It's Christmas. I didn't take this to heart at all. Regardless of whether you believe me or not, I told Barbara that I didn't need her help, yet she insisted on approaching me. I didn't even move the peeler at all," Mona said.

After thinking for a bit, Mona decided to explain the incident to Albert once more. She had said clearly that she did not move, yet Barbara got injured. The only possibility could be that Barbara had deliberately cut herself. She wondered if Albert understood what she meant.

"I believe you, Mona. Then this matter is over. It's Christmas, it's not good for you to be angry!" Albert grinned.

mentioned that Barbara had scratched her own hand on purpose, Albert

tell, based on Albert's response, that what she said had not really registered with him. This was something Albert would have to see for himself. "Alright, Mona. I'll take this steak

much relieved after knowing that Mona was not

about time to have lunch. Haley was so

lavish. Most of the dishes were already on the table when

crackling of the fireworks signaled that the meal was about to begin-an-annual tradition that added to

with a photo, reflecting on how last year, with Bernard

Bernard offered festive wishes for Christmas. Everyone raised

Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 359

00054%0

warm and joyous, with Albert and Haley adding a lively touch to the atmosphere with

the meal. With just a glance

+5

the afternoon, Barbara did not cause any more trouble. The family sat down to make pastry puffs. There was a special one which had 20 cents hidden inside. If anyone managed to eat this among the many pastry puffs, it meant that they would be lucky next year. Since childhood, Mona had never gotten the lucky pastry puff with a hidden coin inside. She did not hold any hope, but after taking a bite, she bit into something hard. She pulled out a small coin and could not help but smile, a warm excitement lighting up

pastry puffs in your bowl. You're so lucky!" Albert looked at the

handed me this. He's the

at the smile on Mona's face and felt that it was indeed a wise choice for him to give Mona the pastry puff with the

pastry puffs, Maxwell noticed Mona's gaze occasionally drifting toward the puff with the hidden coin-he knew she wanted it. When placing the puffs in the pot, Maxwell gave that one an extra squeeze along the edge, leaving a slight fingerprint mark so he could spot it among the others. Sure enough, he managed to serve that exact pastry puff to Mona's bowl. "It's not that I'm lucky; it's destiny that brought this pastry to you, Mona," Maxwell said with a

he made perfect sense-next year would surely be a lucky one. She hoped many more people would like Star, and that her family would stay healthy and well. What she wished for the most was for Maxwell to always be