The Queen's Back

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.

When Mona mentioned that Barbara had scratched her own hand on purpose, Albert did not believe it at all.

"Okay, the food's almost ready!" Mona could 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 out first."

Albert felt much relieved after knowing that Mona was not angry with him anymore.

Haley served the dishes with Albert. It was about time to have lunch. Haley was so hungry that she was almost drooling.

With Polly and Maxwell around, the Christmas lunch spread was particularly lavish. Most of the dishes were already on the table when Bernard stepped outside with a lighter to set off fireworks.

The loud crackling of the fireworks signaled that the meal was about to begin-an-annual tradition that added to the holiday spirit.

By the time Bernard returned, the dining table was full of delicious food. Mona was the first to capture the moment with a photo, reflecting on how last year, with Bernard in the hospital, Christmas hardly felt like a holiday. Today marked her and Maxwell's first true Christmas celebration together.

As the head of the family, Bernard offered festive wishes for Christmas. Everyone raised their glasses in a toast, signaling the official start of lunch.

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The meal was warm and joyous, with Albert and Haley adding a lively touch to the atmosphere with their playful banter.

Maxwell, attentive as ever, continued to serve Mona throughout the meal. With just a glance from her, he could instantly pinpoint and serve exactly the dishes she wanted to eat.

In 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 her whole face. "Hahaha, I'm the lucky one this year!" she exclaimed.

"Mona, how are you the lucky one this year? You only have a few pastry puffs in your bowl. You're so lucky!" Albert looked at the numerous pastry puffs in his bowl, suddenly losing his appetite.

Mona said, "Maxwell handed me this. He's the lucky one."

Maxwell looked 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 hidden coin.

While making 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 smile. And indeed, it was a little destiny he had made for her.

Mona nodded, thinking 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 here, without any more confusion or setbacks like this year.

They finished their meal early and waited for nightfall. That way, they would get the best view of the fireworks. They could already hear some people setting fireworks outside, adding to the festive mood, but they were not in a rush to do so.

As Mona sat on the sofa, she continued to examine the coin she had just eaten, resolving to keep it safe. Maxwell's gaze lingered on her, a light smile adorning his face.

Just then, Mona's phone rang. To her surprise, it was Ava who was coming to set off fireworks with them. Moreover, she had invited quite a few others along.

Of course, Mona returned. Not long after, Ava and the others arrived. Along with Ava were Nigel and Elara.

According to Ava, Artemis was staying in Noretin for Christmas this year, seemingly because of a man.

However, it had not been confirmed yet, şo Mona did not ask too much about it.

When Ava and the rest arrived, the sky had begun to dim. Albert and Haley had already headed into the villa's courtyard with fireworks in their arms, while Mona and the others trailed behind. Barbara walked beside Albert, holding a sparkler in her hand. This Christmas, the Clem family had really gone all out with the fireworks!Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

With the arrival of Ava and Elara, Maxwell got shoved to the back, glancing at Mona, who was surrounded by people on both sides, feeling a deep-seated frustration he could not express.

It was the same for Ava's boyfriend, Joseph. The three women walked in front, so they could only walk behind.

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Joseph saw Ava holding Mona's arm and then he turned to look at the man beside him who was exuding a cold aura. He was not sure where to put his hand.

"Erm... My name is Joseph. Ava and Mona seem to have a good relationship!" Given the villa's high-quality security system, Joseph was unarmed for the fireworks, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.

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