Chapter 034 Not in the Mood for Business Talk Right Now

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.

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 seized 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."

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?

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?"