Time passed, and today, like mostys, Mona and Maxwell headed over to the Clem family home. This time was 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 some rare time to hang out at home with their family.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    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 I wasing home today, 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 giarism 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!" Sheughed, nudging him. "You gave me, like, zero notice. I was half-asleep when I saw your message, and you''d practicallynded. So, I 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, I barely had time to 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 hadpletely overlooked him.


    "What time is it? Seriously, just now rolling out of bed?" Albert said, shaking his head. "You''re gettingzier by the day, Mora! If it weren''t for Maxwell''s endless patience, I 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 I right?"


    Albert snorted andughed, "Ugh, I can''t with you two. So ridiculous!" He walked ahead, thinking. I don''t get it. Why is Maxwell so shameless? If I 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 came down the stairs. Mona quickly noticed Jane, her grandmother, had her hair neatly tied up today. With a quick nce 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.


    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 ttering me! A wounan in a painting? Oh, I am too old for that! What if people hear andugh?" 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-took me a 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 some of the watermelon Jane and I 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- I will go greet her."


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


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


    Barbara did note around 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 came back 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 S?L


    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 welltely?" Bernard asked, noting how much more worn out she looked since he hadst seen her.


    Hearing this, Albert nced at her too. Barbara did look paler and thinner, and even Mona seemed a bit out of it, loungingzily 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 anotherpetition. If I win, I will get to represent our country in an international event!"


    Her tone was cheerful, ncing at Mona with a smile. "Mona, it''s such a shame about Molly. What a nasty woman. If it weren''t for her, we could''vepeted 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 I run into her, she will hear from me."


    "But there''s always next time! If I get to represent the country in thepetition overseas, you''ve gottae 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.


    .


    Chapter 233.


    96%E


    Albert''s face lit up "Yes exactly! All of us will go to support you. Maxwell, this is going to be big for the Clem family! He turned to Bernard and Jane. "Grandpa, Grandma-you two areing too. It''s been ages since we all went somewhere together!" "Alright, alright! If Barbara actually gets to represent the country in the designpetition, I''ll make sure she gets a big reward!" Bernard said with a grin.


    It was a big honor topete for the country, and just thinking about it made him proud. And just like that, the n was set. If Barbara made it, the whole Clem family woulde out to cheer her on at the event.


    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 some washed grapes, cing them beside her. Mona smiled at him and happily took them


    Once she finished the watermelon, Albert pulled Mona toward his room to y some games. 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 to join Albert while she headed back to her room for a nap. "Seriously, Mona, you''re getting way toozy! All you do is eat, sleep, and repeat!" Albert teased.


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