The Queen's Back

Chapter 233

Tpassed, and today, like most lays, Mona and Maxwell headed over to the Clem family home. This twas

special, though-Albert was back from the army for a two-week break, and they would finally get to have lunch

together. When Mona and Maxwell pulled up, they saw Albert already at the front door, waving them down. He

had a two-week leave from the army, giving him srare tto hang out at hwith their family.

Before Maxwell even parked. Mona noticed her brother's big grin practically glowing in the sunlight. She couldn't

help but smile-Albert was tanned again, of course, but he looked even more energetic than usual.

"Mona! You knew | was coming htoday, but no airport pickup? Guess you've forgotten about me, huh?"

Albert teased as she got out of the car.

He had been so worried about Mona when he heard about the plagiarism mess, and he had used every spare

minute online defending her on Twitter, firing off paragraph after paragraph.

Now that he was finally on break from the army, Albert was a little annoyed Mona had not shown up at the

airport. He felt like she did not really care about him.

"Hey, don't pin this on me!" She laughed, nudging him. "You gave me, like, zero notice. | was half-asleep when |

saw your message, and you'd practically landed. So, | sent the driver instead-if not, you'd have been bored to

death waiting for me. She motioned to her loosely tied hair and added, "Look, | barely had tto get myself

together! Now let's get inside. I'm melting out here!"

The July sun was beating down hard. Mona hadn't been outside for long, but her skin was already starting to feel

scorched, and she was getting a bit lightheaded.

While she talked, Mona gave Albert a little shove to get him moving. Maxwell trailed behind, a bit sulky that his

wife had completely overlooked him.

"What tis it? Seriously, just now rolling out of bed?" Albert said, shaking his head. "You're getting lazier by

the day, Mora! If it weren't for Maxwell's endless patience, | know you would be in trouble."

Besides Maxwell, who was clearly blinded by love, Albert couldn't imagine anyone else putting up with Mona's

moods. Good thing it was Maxwell who married her and not Teddy

"Oh, please!" Mona grinned back. "My husband loves doting on me, don't you, Maxwell?"

Maxwell smiled, giving her a warm look. "Every day, for the rest of your life."

Albert rolled his eyes and replied, "Maxwell, spoiling her like this... are you not worried she's going to get used to

it?"

"Fine by me," Maxwell replied, grinning. "The more spoiled she is, the less chance anyone else will want to steal

her. Am | right?"

Albert snorted and laughed, "Ugh, | can't with you two. So ridiculous!" He walked ahead, thinking. | don't get it.

Why is Maxwell so shameless? If | ever get married, there's no way I'm gonna turn into sope wife-worshipper like

him. No chance' With Albert moving on ahead, Maxwell took the chance to reach for Mona's hand, giving it a

gentle squeeze as they followed him up to the house.

Once the three of them were inside, the Clemn family elders cdown the stairs. Mona quickly noticed Jane,

her grandmother, had her hair neatly tied up today. With a quick glance at Bernard, her grandfather, she realized

he must've been the one to do the hair. "Grandma, you look so beautiful-like you just stepped out of a painting!"

Mona said, smiling.

07:18 Thu, Nov 7

Chapter 233

Mona took after her inother, Emily, who had inherited Jane's beauty and grace. Even in her age, Jane's charm

was undeniable; anyone could see she had been a real beauty in her youth.

"Mona, always flattering me! A wounan in a painting? Oh, | am too old for that! What if people hear and laugh?"

Jane said, though clearly pleased. Mona's charm could really win everyone over, not only was she beautiful, but

she always had the sweetest things to say. "Mona, Maxwell, Albert, isn't Jane's hair looking good in that bun?

Bernard chimed in with pride. "It's my masterpiece, you know-tooka few tries, but I finally got it just right."

The three of them nodded in agreement, smiling.

"Alright, alright, stop standing around. Go sit on the couch and try sof the watermelon Jane and | grew

ourselves!" Bernard said, leading them all toward the living room.

They had barely sat down when Albert jumped up and said, "Grandpa, Grandma, you enjoy the fruit! Barbara just

got here- | will go greet her."

Albert figured he couldn't play favorites, especially since he had just picked Mona up, so he hurried off to

welcBarbara

"Alright, go ahead, then, Bernard waved, grinning. "We are not going anywhere here!"

Barbara did not caround much since Maxwell promoted her-probably too busy-but Mona assumed she would

show up today. With Albert finally home, Barbara wouldn't miss a chance to reconnect. No surprise.

In no time, Albert cback with Barbara, who was holding a small gift. She looked neat and polite in a simple

white dress, standing close beside him.

"Hi, Grandpa, Grandma, Mona, Maxwell!" Barbara greeted them with a warm smile, and Bernard nodded,

gesturing for her

TO SiL

Mona still didn't love having Barbara around, but she kept things polite. After all, Barbara helped testing the

medicine to save her, and for that, Mona would always be grateful.

"Barbara, you've slimmed down. Have you not been eating well lately?" Bernard asked, noting how much more

worn out she looked since he had last seen her.

Hearing this, Albert glanced at her too. Barbara did look paler and thinner, and even Mona seemed a bit out of it,

lounging lazily like she didn't have the energy.

Barbara touched her cheek and said, "Really? Maybe it's from staying up too much-I've been preparing for

another competition. If | win, | will get to represent our country in an international event!"

Her tone was cheerful, glancing at Mona with a smile. "Mona, it's such a shabout Molly. What a nasty

woman. If it weren't for her, we could've competed together and made Nathontown proud!" Barbara clutched

Mona's hand, feigning outrage. "Don't you think?" she asked, waiting for Mona's response.

Mona, not wanting to make a scene with Albert right there, rodded slightly, feeling too drained to get into it.

Must be this relentless heat, she thought.

Gritting his teeth, Albert chimed in, "Molly sounds like real trouble. If | run into her, she will hear from me."

"But there's always next time! If | get to represent the country in the competition overseas, you've gotta come

with me!" Barbara said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

She couldn't wait for Mona to see her in the spotlight, hoping to remind her just how much she was outshining

her.

07:18 Thu, Nov 77.

Chapter 233.

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Albert's face lit up "Y tly! All of

erts race lit up ‘yes exactly: (0)

us will go to support you. Maxwell,

this is going to be big for the Clem

family! He turned eegac and!

7 :

o£ GeanubacGr ndma-you two

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are coming too. It's been ages since

n

we all went somewhere together!

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Alright, alright! If Barbara actually

gets to represent the country in the

q ang '

design competition, I'll make sure she

q " q Q

gets a big reward!" Bernard said with

a grin. The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

It was a big honor to compete for the

country, and just thinking about ity

made him prope: Abd (ust fike that,

the Blan Ws set. If Barbara made it,

the whole Clem family would come

out to cheer her on at the event. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

Meanwhile, Mona felt a bit better after munching on the iced watermelon Polly had prepared now, enjoying a few

extra bites.

Maxwell noticed how happy she looked and offered her swashed grapes, placing them beside her. Mona

smiled at him and happily took them

Once she finished the watermelon, Albert pulled Mona toward his room to play sgames. He wanted to see if

he still had his gaming skills.

But Mona felt this heaviness in her

: : !

chest and just didn't have the energy.

She told Maxwell {ooAlkef while

sire hedde@bhck to her room for a

1 : | :

nap. "Seriously, Mona, you're getting

way too lazy! All you do is eat, sleep,

n

and repeat!" Albert teased. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

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