Chapter 025 Keeping Her Around

Stella fumed inside but quickly put on a sweet face and said to Bertha, "Mrs. Smith, please don't argue with Alexander because of me. I'd feel awful if I caused any trouble between you two."

"You're always so kind," Bertha replied, looking pained.

Stella smiled at Bertha, but inside she silently cursed her.

She hugged Bertha with a look of grievance, then ran off crying.

Upstairs, Daniel stepped out of his sister's room and overheard the whole conversation. He clenched his little fist and shouted happily, "Yes!"

Alexander was definitely reliable and not fooled by looks.

Though he didn't think Stella was pretty at all, not even close to Monica.

Seeing that annoying Stella leave, he went back to his room feeling relieved.

He had slept in Alexander's room last night and didn't have his phone, so he missed two calls from William.

He quickly shut the door and called William back, "William, what's up?"

"You sound like you're in a good mood!" William noted, hearing him hum a tune.

"Dad just kicked that annoying woman out. It was awesome," Daniel got more excited as he spoke.

But William didn't seem too impressed.

"Aren't you happy to hear that?" Daniel asked.

"What's there to be happy about?"

"Hey, what do you mean by that? I haven't even told you yet. You and Sophia are so smart, but how come you've been here for days and haven't gotten rid of Stella?"

"What's the point of getting rid of her? It's more fun to keep her around."

"What?" Daniel suddenly got it. "Oh, I see."

After a bit, he remembered to ask, "By the way, why did you call me last night?"

"Nothing major. I just wanted to check if anything happened over there."

"What do you mean? Did you sense something?"

William shared what was going on his end and added, "When Mom goes to work later, we should video call. Let Sophia cheer Amelia up, she always knows how."

"Alright, let's do it!"

Monica had breakfast and headed to the company.

As she walked through the company gate, Mia approached her. "Ms. Brown, someone wants to see you. I've got him waiting in the reception room."

"Me? Who is it?" Monica asked casually.

"An elderly man in his seventies. He didn't give his name."

"Alright, got it."

Monica couldn't think of who it might be, so she headed to the reception room.

Seeing Mason's kind face, she was momentarily stunned. "Mason?"

"Didn't expect you to remember me, Mrs. Smith," Mason said with a smile.

"Of course I do, but please don't call me Mrs. Smith anymore. Alexander and I are divorced, just call me by my name."

"Alright," Mason agreed.

Mia brought over two cups of coffee.

Monica took them and personally placed one in front of Mason. "Mason, have some coffee."

"Thank you," Mason accepted.

"I heard Preston is in the hospital. How is he doing?" Monica asked.

"He's fine, just misses you. He knows you're back in the country and didn't visit him, so he's a bit upset," Mason said with a smile.

Monica smiled awkwardly. "I'll find time to visit him."

"No need, he is about to be discharged and return to the Smith Mansion. He wants to invite you over for a meal."

"Well..." Monica hesitated.

Preston and her grandfather Hayden were old comrades. When Hayden found out that Stella wasn't the Brown family's biological child, he found Monica and brought her back. Preston also liked her very much, so they arranged for her to marry Alexander.

During their years of marriage, Preston truly treated her like his own granddaughter.

Knowing he was ill, she had planned to visit him, but she hadn't planned to go back to the Smith Mansion or have any more ties with the Smith family.

"What's the matter, are you busy?" Mason asked.

"No, it's not that."

"Then it's settled. I'll call you once Preston's arrangements are made."

"Alright." Monica couldn't say much more.

Mason didn't stay long and left.

Monica rubbed her temples in frustration and headed to her office.

Mia followed her in, holding a document. "Ms. Brown, this is a cooperation proposal sent by the Smith Group for you, please take a look."

"The Smith Group?" Monica was annoyed.

She thought that with Alexander's personality, after she had refused him so bluntly that day, he would have given up on cooperating with CLOUD.

Unexpectedly, he was so persistent.

She wouldn't be so self-indulgent to think he was doing it for her. If he were someone who acted on emotions, he wouldn't have achieved what he had today.

She had no choice but to take it.

"Honestly, the Smith Group is offering a lot of benefits this time, showing their sincerity," Mia remarked.

Monica looked at the cooperation content and nodded. "Indeed."

The price Alexander offered was three times the market rate.

The Smith Group would earn no money with all the profit going to her according to this proposal.

She couldn't deny that she was tempted by the money.

However, considering he was doing it to help cure Stella's leg, she closed the proposal, slamming it onto the table.

Mia understood her reaction and asked, "Ms. Brown, do you mean to refuse the cooperation?"

"Yes, go inform the Smith Group."

"Shouldn't you discuss it with Ms. Thomas?"

Monica didn't answer.

Mia's reminder was correct; the company wasn't hers alone; Evelyn had a share, too.

Alexander's offer was tempting; rejecting it would not only be her loss but also Evelyn's.

However, Evelyn knew about her situation with Alexander.

Before she returned to the country, Evelyn had shown her the list of potential cooperation companies. Knowing her situation with Alexander, Evelyn had said that no matter what conditions Alexander offered, she would fully respect Monica's choice.

Monica believed Evelyn wouldn't blame her.

She made up her mind and looked at Mia. "No need to discuss."

"But we need to provide the Smith Group with an explanation."