"Mona, sweetheart, just say sorry, okay?" Jane said gently, noticing that Mona was still quiet and sensing Bernard''s displeasure growing.


    "Fine, Grandpa, Grandma, Lapologize," Mona replied tly.


    Hearing Mona''s apology, Bernard finally felt satisfied. He thought it was the right thing to do. Barbara was hurt, so Mona should apologize-even if Mona was his beloved granddaughter she should not be too headstrong. He hoped this would make Barbara feel better. Just as Bernard was about to say something to Barbara, he noticed Mona heading back into the kitchen.


    Barbara, meanwhile, felt pleased when she heard Mona''s apology. It had been worth the little injury-not only had it made everyone side with her, but it also slightly humbled Mona.


    Among the group, most felt relieved when Mona apologized, but not Maxwell. He stared after Mona as she walked away. He looked at Barbara, thinking how odd it was that Mona had to apologize to, someone so hypocritical. It was Barbara''s own fault, after all. Maxwell''s annoyance with Barbara only grew, and a part of him even felt a sudden urge to beat Barbara, wondering why Mona was heading into the kitchen again. Soon, Mona returned from the kitchen, holding the small peeler concealed in her palm. No one even noticed what was inRêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    her hand.


    Mona walked straight to Barbara and stared at her coldly.


    Barbara did not quite understand why, but a strange feeling of dread began to creep over her as she watched Mona approach, step by step. ''Why should I feel nervous? Mona is justing to apologize to me!'' Barbara thought.


    At the thought of this, Barbara adjusted her expression, returning to her usual look of helpless innocence, waiting for Mona to offer her apology.


    No one intervened so Mona quickly reached Barbara''s side. Mona took Barbara''s hand, which had been obediently resting on herp. Without a second thought as to whether it was the injured one, with her other hand holding the peeler, Mona made a swift, forceful scrape across the back of Barbara''s hand. A sharp sting immediately spread through Barbara''s body.


    The moment Mona grabbed her hand, Barbara had a fleeting sense of impending trouble, but before she could react, the pain had already struck her.


    Now, Barbara''s grievances were all too real, mixed with a deep anger. ''How can Mona have the guts to hurt me in front of everyone?'' Barbara thought in shock. However, with Bernard and the others watching, she knew she could not even call the cops.


    "Mona, you..." Barbara''s voice wasden with a pitiful tone and tears rolled down her cheeks.


    Everyone else, including Bernard, was equally stunned by Mona''s actions. It was clear now that Mona had indeed been spoiled for far too long to have the guts to bully Barbara so openly. Just as Bernard was about to demand that Mona apologize to Barbara once more, Mona''s icy gaze held him back


    Mona looked Barbara straight in the eye, gave a sincere "sorry," and followed up with a formal bow."


    "I didn''t do anything wrong. You all insist I apologize but I refuse. Since you all keep forcing me to apologize, I went ahead and did what Albert imed I did before apologizing. Now look, it''s bleeding. Yes, I was responsible for it. I''ve apologized already," Mona said withposure, directing her gaze at Albert. You wanted an apology, so here it is,'' she thought.


    This was how Mona was. If it was not her mistake or responsibility, she would not apologize, no matter what anyone said. But if they all insisted so much on an apology, then fine-she would give them one.


    "You... How can you... Bernard was at a loss for words.


    "Okay, calm down. It''s Christmas, and since Barbara got the apology she wanted, let''s just leave it at that!" Maxwell pulled Mona to his side, knowing well that she was not someone to be filled with. The way she pped Barbara during their engagement party was enough evidence. Mona''s beautiful and bold attitude only made Maxwell like her even more.


    "Mona, go to the kitchen and help Polly. Go quickly!" Jane urged


    After that, Jane walked to Barbara and looked at the blood on the back of Barbara''s hand. She carefully cleaned it applied medicine.


    Jane felt that Mona''s personality was very simr to Emily''s. up and


    Jane remembered a time during an exam when Emily was used by a ssmate of cheating. The teacher found a small piece of paper on Emily''s desk, and no matter how much Emily exined, the teacher would not believe her. Eventually, Jane was called into the office. Jane was shocked to hear about the cheating usation against Emily but did not know what to say since the evidence seemed so clear.


    Afterward, Emily was punished and had to write a self-reflection. Jane still remembered that night-Emily was feeling extremely aggrieved, and during the Monday g-raising ceremony, she had to read her reflection in front of her ssmates. As a result, Emily was unhappy for several days.


    When the final exams came around, Emily brought back an almost perfect test paper for Jane to sign. Jane praised her for her improvement, and after signing, Emily said, "Mom, I actually cheated on this test. Since I didn''t cheatst time and still had to write a reflection, I thought I should cheat at least once to make it worth it."


    Now that she thought about it, Mona really had the same personality as Emily!


    Albert watched Mona''s gradually receding figure, unsure of what to say. He felt that Mona was incredibly stubborn. He looked over at Barbara on the sofa, noticing the wounds on her hand, and wondered if he had made a mistake. Maxwell followed Mona into the kitchen and seeing that others had remained outside, asked, "Were you scared earlier?" Mona handed the peeler to Maxwell. Her voice was tinged with a hint of grievance as she said, "Yes, I was scared, but not that much. It''s not like it was my hand that got cut. Do you think I''m too mean?"


    Maxwell shook his head, saying, "Mean? No, I''d call it charming. You''re so charming that I''mpletely taken with you!"


    With sparkling eyes, Mona looked at Maxwell and asked, slightly doubtful, "Really?"


    Maxwell nodded solemnly. "Yes!"


    "After Christmas, you should teach me some self-defense moves. That way, if I ever find myself in a tough spot, I''ll be able to handle it," Mona said. Mona had been considering this ever since Elene kidnapped herst time. She had just been too busy to bring it up. If she had had Maxwell with her, or even Albert''s strength, she could have managed the situation on her own and would not have needed Teddy''s help-maybe she could have saved two lives!


    Looking back, she felt a sense of regret for Elene. That girl was really too naive.


    "Sure, even if it''s not that useful, it''s great for you to work out and get fit. That way, you won''tin about being tired every night!" Maxwell had been thinking about this for a while but had not found the right moment to bring it up. Now that Mona had mentioned it herself, it was perfect!


    "What are you talking about? It''s the broad daylight!" Mona turned away, not wanting to look at Maxwell, fearing he might


    say something inappropriate