“I think you’re just making an empty show because you’re guilty. Asking Mr. Graves for help? Who believes that bullsh*t? What did you talk about that you must do it in a hotel room? You must’ve done something nasty and shameful in bed!” Isabel said. Slap! As soon as Isabel finished, Mona slapped her in the face. It was loud and clear, causing half of Isabel’s face to be swollen. “Mona, who are you to slap me?!” Isabel was furious. She was so mad that her body was trembling. Mona was simply crossing the line. Now that Mona and Thaddeus remarried and she had officially moved into the Fontaine Residence, she went even further. Mona sneered. “You seem to be asking the wrong question. Instead of asking why I slapped you, you should ask yourself how you could be so stupid as to let me hit you again and again.” Faced with Isabel, Mona took it as though she was looking at a mentally immature elementary school student. Yes, if Isabel used her brain at all, she would have stopped the
“Keep this to yourself. It concerns my uncle-in-law’s image, after all. He represents the Fontaines. Since I married into the Fontaines and became a Fontaine, I should think for the family. You can talk about it among the ladies of the upper class, but don’t sell it as news to reporters and paparazzi,” Isabel said to her good friend. Afterward, Isabel pretended to be reasonable as though she was truly thinking for the Fontaines. However, she was the one who wished for chaos the most. The ladies of the upper class were where rumors were made the most among the rich families. As long as they found out about something, everyone—any Tom, Dick, or Harry—from the reputable families would know! Mona initially wanted to talk things over with Isabel, but it seemed like it was not necessary anymore. She turned around and walked out of the hotel to return to her car. Mona felt that her hands and feet were slightly cold as she leaned against the car seat. She placed her hands near her mo
The more Mona was herself, the more Tim liked her. Was he stooping too low? Mona returned home and went into her bedroom to focus on studying the digital thumbprint lock. She looked at the blueprint. After some calculations and simulation experiments, she figured out a way to open the lock. When she tried it, the digital thumbprint lock opened indeed. Mona secretly cheered for herself and felt a great sense of achievement. Susan was probably a genius. How many treasures were hidden in her brain and body that even she had not uncovered? This time, Mona was not as impulsive as the last time by rushing things. Since she found the way to open the lock, why would she need to worry about rushing in? Now that she had aroused Thaddeus’ vigilance, it would be better for her to slow down the pace for the time being. As such, Mona closed the door and lay on the bed. She closed her eyes sleepily. Being in an empty room, her heart felt empty, and she remembered the dream from last night a
Mona froze, but the woman on the other end of the phone seemed more anxious than her. Without waiting for Mona to answer, the woman asked her another question. “Hi, I saw the caller ID on Thaddeus' phone and have a question for you. Is your name Mona Ortega?” Mona pursed her lips and answered casually, “Yes, that’s me.” The woman let out a confused cry when she heard Mona’s response. “Eh, that’s strange. What a coincidence. We both have the same name—-Mona Ortega.” “So, you’re Mona?” Feeling surprised, Mona suddenly felt insignificant and wanted to retreat. She felt as though she was a ghost that only existed at night, a puppet that would never be brought to light, or a substitute that was left as an alternative. Now that the real Mona Ortega appeared, her existence seemed to have become redundant and cumbersome. “Thaddeus said my name is Mona Ortega, so that’s who I am. I believe whatever he says—whatever he says.” The woman, on the other hand, spoke without a beginnin
Thaddeus shook his head helplessly and asked the woman, “Mona, don’t you remember? What exactly have you encountered all these years?” “Didn’t we come to France together? With my brother, my daddy, and my mommy? What do you mean by all these years?” After finishing, the woman looked Thaddeus in the eye. “Didn’t we just get off the plane yesterday? You wanted me to wait for you at 743 Rose Avenue while you go and pick up my brother, my daddy, and my mommy…?” Thaddeus frowned. When he heard her talking about that, he immediately pursued the matter. “Yes. What happened after? Tell me what happened after you went to Rose Avenue.” The woman was puzzled. “Then I slept all night, and you’re here to pick me up today.”“That’s strange.” She suddenly recalled something and asked, “By the way, which room is my brother in now? He still has my suitcase.” The woman let go and was about to leave the room when she was pulled back by Thaddeus. “Mona, listen to me. We’re not on vacation, an
If Mona wanted to leave, Aunt May and the butler could not stop her. She took the car keys and carried a long tube that contained the artwork. With her head held high and her chest stuck out, Mona strutted to the Bentley. Looking back, she saw Aunt May standing at the door waving at her. “Mrs. Fontaine, drive slowly and come home early.” Mona put her hand on the side of her forehead and raised it outward. She was playful yet cool at the same time. “I got it. I’ll leave it to the driver to pick up my children. I’ll be busy with work and might have to work overtime.” Aunt May, unable to do anything about it, could only stomp her feet anxiously. Not only was Mona going out, but she was also going to be home late. She could not be controlled at all. Mona drove to the studio. The opening ceremony was just around the corner, so she only wanted to focus on working. As for where Thaddeus was and who he was with at the moment, she could not be bothered to think about it. Nothing was m
Instead, Tim was like a violent bow, fully drawn and ready to attack. He was prepared to shoot in Ben’s direction at any time. “What does this have to do with you? Ben, listen, if you come across something you love but don’t dare fight for it, that’s cowardice.” Ben was startled. He was surprised to find that the familiar man in front of him had unknowingly become emotional and extreme. It seemed Tim was not as simple and pure as he once thought and had become incomprehensible. Did he change for a beloved woman? Tim was simply a fool stupidly in love. “I hope you can think and see things clearly.” Ben smiled, feeling that he had probably cared too much. He mocked himself, saying, “I don’t have a good family background like yours, but I know there are many things you can’t fight for or force just because you try. For instance, the fate between people. If you force it when you don’t have that kind of chemistry with someone, you won’t end up well.” After finishing, Ben let go
That night, Mona treated everyone to hotpot. She initially thought that Tim would not join them. After all, the noble and cool son from a rich family despised the hustle and bustle of the city. Who knew that after work, Tim still followed everyone else into the hotpot restaurant while joking and laughing with them. Mona and Tim sat across each other with hot steam between them. Mona put meatballs and vegetables into the hotpot while putting lamb and beef slices into Tim’s bowl. “I’m a woman of my word. Since you did me a great favor, I’ll treat you to a nice meal. Consider the hotpot today an appetizer. I know you might not be used to this kind of food and probably prefer steaks and wines from high-end restaurants, so I’ll treat you properly next time.” Tim held his bowl and enjoyed the food. He hurriedly shook his head in denial. “How can I not be used to this? While I was studying, I often got meals from food trucks with Ben and others.” “That’s good.” Mona smiled and l