Chapter 19 Joseph fired up the engine . Preston Smith , Alexander's grandpa , had been stuck in the hospital lately because of his crappy health . He was over seventy but maintained a pretty upbeat attitude . Even being in the hospital didn't get him down . His driver , Mason , was around the same age and was more like a buddy than just a driver . They were watching a TV show and discussing it in the VIP ward when Alexander walked in looking grumpy . Preston shot him a disdainful look . " What are you doing here ? If it's not important , just leave . Don't ruin my mood . " Alexander snapped back , " Just making sure you're still kicking . " " Not happy to see me doing well ? " Preston snorted . Even though he often bickered with Alexander , deep down , he knew not everyone could get under Alexander's skin like this . As if something clicked , Preston grinned and asked , " I heard Monica's back ? " Alexander just snorted and kept quiet . Preston's interest piqued , and he told Mason to turn off the TV . He waved at Joseph . " Joseph , come here . Tell me , is it Monica who's got him all riled up ? " Joseph glanced at his boss . Seeing Alexander didn't object , he stepped forward . " Yes , Mrs. Smith is back . We just came from her company . " " Really ? Monica's doing well , huh ? Starting her own business , " Preston said , looking proud . " Yeah , she's now a project manager at CLOUD and seems pretty valued , " Joseph reported . " Really ? That's impressive . " * Impressive ? She's just a project manager , " Alexander grumbled . 1 Preston's face darkened , and he kicked Alexander . " What's wrong with being a project manager ? If Monica hadn't been powerless and without connections , would she have been forced to leave six years ago ? In just a few years , she got into a promising company like CLOUD and became a project manager . Do you think that's easy ? " Alexander stayed silent . Preston turned to Joseph again . " What else ? What happened between them ? " 1/4 3:34 am PP Chapter 19 Joseph hesitated . If he spilled the beans , it might embarrass Alexander . But seeing Alexander didn't stop him , Joseph said , " We went to discuss a collaboration with CLOUD , but they had a disagreement , and in the end , Mrs. Smith refused to work with the Smith Group . " Joseph thought since Preston adored Monica and she was very respectful to him , maybe Preston could change her mind . Unexpectedly , Preston had no intention of helping . Instead , he laughed heartily . " Monica's really got guts , even daring to refuse the Smith Group . " He picked up his cane and lightly struck Alexander's leg . " You idiot , if Monica dares to refuse you , it means she can make decisions for CLOUD . And you still look down on her ? Serves you right . " Alexander couldn't sit still . Though Preston didn't hit him hard , he stood up , looking at Preston in disbelief . Why did he always speak up for her ? " After treating her so badly back then , you still expect her to work with you ? If you want that , apologize to her first , got it ? " " Apologize to her ? " Alexander snorted . " Not happening . " " You ... " Preston clutched his chest , looking heartbroken . " How did I end up with a grandson like you ? Monica's such a good girl , how did she fall for you ? " " Preston , you okay ? " Mason asked , sounding worried . " Should I get a doctor ? " " No need , " Alexander snapped . He could tell Preston was faking it . Preston shot him a glare and turned to Mason . " Mason , I'll be out of here in a few days . When I'm out , head over to CLOUD and invite Monica to the Smith Mansion for a meal . " " Got it , " Mason replied . 2 Alexander raised an eyebrow but kept quiet . Joseph saw the look on Alexander's face and finally understood . This was Alexander's plan all along . A masterstroke , every move calculated . Even though he'd been with Preston and Alexander for years , he couldn't see through it easily . Preston knew Alexander was using him , but he didn't mind . He liked Monica and wanted to see them both 2/4 3:34 am Chapter 19 doing well . So he told Alexander , " Alright , Monica will come to the Smith Mansion in a few days . You come too , and be nice , got it ? If there's nothing else , leave . I don't need you here . " Alexander was speechless . Being told to leave twice in one day , how annoying was he ? He decided not to leave and told Joseph , " Go grab some food . I'll have lunch here with Grandpa . " " Yes , Mr. Smith . " Joseph went to get food . Alexander asked Mason to bring the chessboard , and he played chess with Preston . Preston grumbled about him , but as an old man , he still wanted his family around , so he happily played chess with him . Meanwhile , Monica had lunch with the kids at home and then took them to the hospital . Evelyn had just finished feeding her father , Ryder Thomas , and was surprised to see Monica . Ryder was also thrilled to see Monica . " Monica , you're here ! William and Sophia , come on over . " He reached out a wrinkled , bony hand . Daniel wasn't shy . Over the past few days , he had become very familiar with Evelyn and knew that Ryder treated his mom like his own daughter . So he treated the old man like his own grandpa , walked up , and held his hand , smiling sweetly . " Hello , Mr. Thomas . " " Good kid . " Ryder nodded repeatedly and took out two toys from the bedside drawer . " Here , William , take these . One for you , one for Sophia . " Daniel didn't take it immediately . He looked up at Monica , and after she nodded , he accepted it and smiled sweetly at Ryder . " Thank you , Mr. Thomas . " " William , you're so well - behaved and cute . " Ryder patted his little head and then saw the little girl behind him , waving . " Sophia , why don't you come over ? " Amelia hid behind her mom again , making Monica and Evelyn exchange confused looks . Sophia wasn't usually shy . She used to chat happily with Ryder and Evelyn on video calls . What was up today ? Daniel quickly said , " Mr. Thomas , Sophia has a bit of a cold these days . She's afraid of infecting you . You're already not feeling well , and she's worried it might make things worse . " " I see . " Ryder understood but still waved to her . " It's okay , Sophia . " There was no avoiding it now . 3/4 3:35 am Chapter 19 Daniel had to take Amelia's hand and comfort her with his eyes . Ryder was really nice , so Amelia didn't push back much . The kids sat on the chairs by the bed and chatted with Ryder . Luckily , the VIP ward was a suite , spacious enough for Monica and Evelyn to talk in the living room . Evelyn whispered , " The doctor said my dad's tumor is really close to the blood vessels . If we try to remove it , the risk is super high , with only a five percent success rate . And my dad's old , with low immunity . Even if the surgery works , he might not live long . So , such a high - risk surgery doesn't make much sense . The doctor suggested we let him enjoy the rest of his days pain - free . " Chapter Comments LIKE Write Comments « SHARE 4/4