Chapter 35 Stella had to keep her cool , so she acted like she didn't know anything and said to Alexander , " Alexander , Mrs. Smith isn't feeling well today , so I brought her back . " Alexander gave a nonchalant nod and glanced at Bertha . She looked worn out , her hair a mess , and she had completely lost her usual regal and commanding presence . Alexander's brow furrowed slightly . " Mom , what's going on with you ? " " It's all because of ... Bertha started to speak but then remembered how Alexander hated her meddling in his personal life . She didn't want him to know she'd gone to see Monica today , so she bit her tongue . Alexander didn't press for details . " If you're not feeling well , you should rest at home . I'm heading out . " Bertha was exhausted and didn't feel like talking anymore . But Stella couldn't just let Alexander go off to dinner with Monica . She knew Bertha was still fuming inside , so she quickly said , " Alexander , I heard CLOUD and the Smith Group have a deal . Are you meeting Monica to sign the contract ? Congrats ! " Alexander wanted to make it clear she should mind her own business . But before he could say anything . Bertha exploded at the mention of Monica's name . " Alexander , you can't sign any contract with that bitch . I won't allow it . " " Mom ! " Alexander's voice was stern . " I've told you before , I don't want anyone insulting Monica in this house . Clearly , you didn't listen . " He'd had enough . " Joseph , get someone to take Mrs. Smith back to the Smith Mansion . " " Yes , sir , " Joseph replied . " Alexander , what are you doing ? Are you really kicking me out for that woman ? " Bertha looked at him in disbelief . " You've lost your mind , choosing a vile woman over your own mother . " Alexander's expression grew even colder. He wasn't doing this for Monica but for his kids . He didn't want anyone , not even his own mom , talking badly about Monica in front of the kids . But he didn't feel like explaining . He just looked at Bertha coldly . " Mom , it's best if you go back to the Smith Mansion . " Bertha's anger was evident as she shook , pointing a trembling finger at him . " You ... " Before she could finish , she rolled her eyes and fainted . 1/3 3:42 pm Ppp . Chapter 35 Alexander frowned and checked his watch , but he still walked over to his mother and told Joseph , " Call the doctor . " When Monica got to the meeting spot , it was exactly seven o'clock . She knew Alexander was always on time , but she'd been waiting in the private room for ten minutes , and he still hadn't shown up . " Is he messing with me ? " Monica muttered to herself . She didn't have anything urgent to do , so she called Linda to make sure the kids were taken care of for dinner and kept waiting . Another half hour passed , and still no sign of Alexander . Monica had enough of Alexander's games , so she decided to leave . But just as she opened the door , she bumped right into him . Alexander Cized the moment , wrapping an arm around her waist and looking down at her . " Ms. Brown , that's quite a unique way to greet me . " Was he implying she was throwing herself at him again ? Monica felt a mix of anger and amusement , momentarily forgetting to pull away . " Mr. Smith , you're forty minutes late . Didn't you see that I was about to leave ? " Alexander didn't respond , just stared at her lips as they moved . He remembered their softness and felt an urge to kiss her . Monica saw the desire in his eyes and realized she was still in his arms . She struggled and said , " Mr. Smith , if you're not serious , just say so . CLOUD doesn't need to work with the Smith Group . Let go of me . " " Sorry , something came up unexpectedly . " For once , Alexander didn't argue . He guided her inside and sat her on the sofa . " Joseph , bring the food . " " Yes , Mr. Smith , " Joseph replied and left . Monica frowned . Was he planning to have dinner with her ? He couldn't stand her , so why would he want to dine with her ? He must have another appointment . Monica didn't want to waste any more time . She pulled out the contract from her bag and placed it in front of Alexander . " Mr. Smith , you must have other plans , so let's just sign the contract quickly . " She handed him a pen , her tone icy. " Sign it , and I'll leave . No need to waste your precious time . " 2/3 3:42 pm Chapter 35 Alexander didn't say anything , just stared at the document like it was an annoyance . Did she really not want to spend any time with him ? ith him ? He leaned back in his chair , looking at her coolly . " I'm not in the mood to talk business right now . " Monica was at a loss for words . She couldn't figure out what was going on with Alexander . She'd already waited forty minutes and didn't want to be toyed with anymore . But she didn't want to argue either , so she nodded coldly . " Mr. Smith , you have quite the ego . Did you forget you came to us to sign the contract ? If you've changed your mind , we won't force it . " She reached for the contract , ready to pack up and leave . But he pressed down on the contract , his tone annoyed . " What makes you think I won't sign ? Can't I have a meal first ? " Thinking about the chaos at home today gave him a headache , and her cold demeanor wasn't helping . Monica realized he wanted to eat first . After waiting forty minutes , it didn't make sense to leave now . She nodded , sat back down , and just then , her phone beeped . She then pulled out her phone and saw a message from Sophia . Her previous frustration melted away, and she replied with a gentle smile . Alexander watched her for five minutes . The waiter had started serving the dishes , but she still hadn't looked up . Who was she texting that made her so happy ? He snorted , " Have you forgotten basic table manners . Chapter Comments