The Queen's Back

68

Chapter Mona shared all that had been on her mind in recent days with Ava, who in turn offered her advice and support.

"You're right. Enough about me, though. Let me ask you this again. Have you been in contact with Soren lately?" Mona couldn't help but ask once more. She was genuinely terrified that Ava might meet the same tragic end as in her previous life. dying on the operating table. She wouldn't be able to bear it. Ava had always been open with Mona, so she replied honestly, "He came by twice, just to check on how I was recovering. I've kept my distance, as you told me he's not a good person. Once I'm discharged in a couple of days, I won't be seeing him again. Having been friends with Mona for so many years, this was the first time Ava had heard her describe someone as a bad person, even without solid proof. But she trusted Mona without question. Such was the bond between best friends. While the two of them chatted in the ward, Barbara had finished her examination. It turned out her injury wasn't serious, just a swollen ankle that needed some ointment. Albert, in his rush, had forgotten his phone, so he had no choice but to leave Barbara waiting while he went to the inpatient ward to find Mona. After he left, Barbara looked at her swollen ankle and let out a bitter smile.

Sometimes, sympathy was a useful thing. Take her current situation, for example. Despite Mona's reluctance, she had still dutifully driven her to the hospital in the middle of the night.

From the moment the four of them entered the hospital, Gordon's people had been keeping tabs on them. Watching the surveillance footage, Gordon turned to his assistant and said, "Find out what this girl's connection is to Mona."

Gordon looked at his arms, still in slings after a week, and his anger simmered. Just like Maxwell had said, he'd had no choice but to take the beating without retaliation. He didn't dare inform Richard. If Richard found out, Gordon knew the consequences would be worse for him. But he wouldn't forget this humiliation. He would have his revenge one day, including on Mona for knocking him out.

Albert soon arrived at the inpatient ward. After a quick greeting to Ava, he called out for Mona and Maxwell to leave, since Barbara was still waiting outside.

Before leaving. Mona once again reminded Ava to stay away from Soren. Only when she saw Ava nod did she follow Maxwell out, walking leisurely behind Albert.

When they reached the elevator, Mona turned to Albert and said. "Maxwell and I will go wait for you in the parking lot. No need for us to walk back together."

With that, Mona puded Maxwell into a different elevator, leaving Albert to go upstairs and fetch Barbara alone. Seeing Mona's profile, Albert knew it would take time for their relationship to fully heal, so he let it be.

Back in the car, Maxwell, reflecting on Mona's earlier conversation with Ava, said, "Mona, if you don't want to see Barbara anymore, I can make sure she disappears from your life."

Startled, Mona quickly covered Maxwell's mouth. She thought, is he talking about making Barbara disappear in the way I am thinking? Then Mona said, "I don't want to see her, but I ware to take my time dealing with her. You don't need to step in. And remember, we live in a civilized society, Okay?"

Mona didn't realize how intimate their position had become. Her hand covering Maxwell's mouth, her body leaned close to his, eyes blinking at him. Maxwell nodded and, without thinking kissed her palm. The sudden tingle in her hand made Mona instinctively want to pull it away, but Maxwell held on, smiling. "I know, a civilized society-I won't do anything rash."

Mona found herself gazing into Maxwell's charming eyes but didn't try to pull her hand away. Instead, they stayed in this position for a while, their heartbeats seemingly in sync.

The two sat like that for a while, seemingly able to hear each other's heartbeats. Before long, a knock on the car door interrupted their tender moment. Mona quickly got up from Maxwell's lap as he opened the door, allowing Albert and Barbara to get in the car. As soon as Albert sat down, he grabbed a bottle of water and gulped it down. After carrying Barbara back and forth, even though she wasn't heavy, he was exhausted.

"Thanks, Maxwell, for driving me to the hospital. Sorry for troubling you. It's really nothing serious," Barbara said with a smile, her gaze lingering on Maxwell. Even in the dim light, his jawline was perfect.

"You're thanking the wrong person. The one carrying you back and forth was Albert, not Maxwell. He just drove us around. It was more like a nice evening drive for me," Mona quipped, her dislike for Barbara's tone clear. It made her sick.

"Right, Barbara, I'm the one you should be thanking, not someone else. Once I turn eighteen, I'll be able to drive you myself, Albert chimed in, still fuming at Maxwell for not letting Barbara sit in the front. Barbara rolled her eyes at Albert, not understanding why he had to follow up on Mona's remarks, making her seem like the bad guy. She only wanted to talk to Maxwell.

"Yes, thank you all, especially you, Albert, Barbara said reluctantly.

Mona didn't want to hear anymore, so she shut her eyes to rest. They still had to drop Barbara Clemn family, which would take some time.

Il before heading back to the

Noticing Mona's move, Maxwell pulled over, and before Albert could ask why they'd stopped, Maxwell gently draped his jacket over Mona. Mona, not quite asleep yet, opened her eyes and smiled at him. Albert then realized they were displaying affection.

Barbara, watching Maxwell's tender care for Mona, felt a pang of jealousy. 'Why did Mona get everything? I can't accept this Maxwell would surely fall for me eventually, Barbara thought.

After dropping Barbara off, Maxwell drove slowly and carefully toward the Clem family. He knew Mona was truly asleep this

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When they arrived, Albert was about to wake Mona, but Maxwell shot him a warning look that made him freeze.

Albert watched as Maxwell silently unbuckled Mona's seatbelt, gently lifted her out of the car, and carried her as she nestled sleepily into his arms. Albert, still reeling from the display, thought to himself that he'd just been hit with another wave of public display of fection. Today, he shouldn't have brought Mona along to see Barbara. He should've just had a driver take him