Chapter 009 Play However You Want Right Under Your Nose

As soon as William spoke, everyone in the room was floored. Everyone knew how much these two kids couldn't stand Stella.

Alexander raised an eyebrow and looked down at him. "Daniel, what are you up to now?"

This morning, he threw a fit about running away and kicking Stella out, and now he wanted to keep her? That quick flip was definitely fishy.

Sophia caught on to William's plan right away. Kicking Stella out wasn't the goal; it was better to keep her around and mess with her as they pleased.

She chuckled and then played the obedient card, tugging on Alexander's sleeve and nodding at him.

Alexander crouched down in front of her and asked patiently, "Amelia, do you want to keep Stella too?"

Sophia nodded again.

"Can you tell Daddy why?" Alexander coaxed her.

Sophia looked down, fiddling with the little toy on her clothes, staying silent.

William jumped in, "Daddy, we were wrong before. We shouldn't have just thought about ourselves. We should think about you and Grandma. Let's keep Stella. You don't have to worry about things at home. Just go to work."

His words caught Alexander off guard. He picked him up, gazing at the little face that resembled a miniature version of his own, and smiled. "It's good you know you were wrong. Don't try to run away with Amelia again, got it?"

"Okay." William nodded obediently.

"Then take Amelia to play." Alexander put him down.

He had wasted a lot of time looking for them today and was about to head to the office when Bertha called out, "Alexander, wait a sec."

"What is it?"

"I heard Helen is going to the Johnson Group's banquet tomorrow. Has she decided to team up with them?" Bertha asked.

Alexander didn't answer right away.

He thought about the call he got at the hotel. When the Smith Group had previously invited CLOUD to collaborate, they had turned it down flat.

He found it odd. Most companies were dying to work with the Smith Group, and it was rare for someone like CLOUD to refuse so bluntly. But today, their rep suddenly called, wanting to talk face-to-face.

He figured he needed to dig deeper into this CLOUD design studio.

"What are you thinking about?" Bertha tugged on his arm. "I'm talking to you."

"Why do you care about her?" Alexander dodged her question.

"I heard Helen is not just one of the founders of CLOUD but also a world-renowned miracle doctor. If you're going tomorrow, take Stella with you. Helen, being an international doctor, will surely fix Stella's leg."

Sophia, who was already half-asleep, thought she misheard Bertha. 'What? Are they nuts? She kicked Mommy out of the Smith family back then, and Stella framed and hurt Mommy. Now they want Mommy to treat her leg?'

She had never seen such shameless people. They must be out of their minds.

Alexander frowned slightly, his tone annoyed. "I'm going for business."

He always stuck to the rule of keeping business and personal stuff separate.

Moreover, even if he were to ask Helen for treatment, his precious daughter would come first.

"So what if it's business? It doesn't clash with seeing a doctor. Besides, we're not asking Helen to treat for free. With money on the table, why wouldn't she be willing?" Bertha said confidently.

Alexander was about to speak when Bertha continued, "And if it weren't for that wretched Monica interfering back then, Stella would have married into the Smith family. After all..."

"Mom!" Alexander cut in sharply. "Don't bring up that name again, and I don't want to hear any of you talking trash about her!"

Even though he didn't like Monica, he couldn't allow her to be insulted in front of their kids.

"You..."

"Forget it, Mrs. Smith." Stella quickly grabbed Bertha's hand, looking all pitiful. "I know you mean well, but please don't argue with Alexander because of me. It's not worth it."

"How is it not worth it?" Bertha then looked at Alexander. "Are you taking Stella or not?"

She looked like she was ready to throw a fit if Alexander didn't take Stella.

Alexander was getting fed up. "Fine, I'll take her."

He glanced at Stella, his tone icy. "I can take you, but I have my own business to handle. Whether Helen treats your leg or not, that's on you."

Stella's eyes immediately welled up. "Alexander, I..."

"Enough, I have things to do." He cut her off impatiently, reminded his kids to behave at home, and then left.

Stella turned and threw herself into Bertha's arms, crying, "Mrs. Smith, am I causing trouble for Alexander? He seems to really dislike me."

"No, don't overthink it," Bertha comforted her.

The kids watched this scene, almost wanting to gag. Stella's acting was way over the top. She should have been an actress.

William deliberately coughed, and Bertha finally noticed the siblings still standing there.

She didn't care much for Amelia, but she doted on Daniel. She pushed Stella aside and walked over to him. "Why did you run off? What if you got lost or ran into bad people? How would I live if something happened to you?"

She reached out to hug him.

William stepped back, avoiding her hand.

"What's wrong? Are you hungry? Grandma will have the kitchen make something for you."

"No, I'm tired. I'll go to my room." He dodged her enthusiastic embrace and took Sophia upstairs.

"This little guy is becoming more and more like his father," Bertha said helplessly but fondly.

Stella looked at them with a venomous gaze. If it weren't for them, she and Alexander wouldn't have been delayed until now. One day, she would get rid of them.

"Stella."

Stella heard Bertha calling her and immediately turned around, putting on a compliant face. "Mrs. Smith, what's up?"

"Don't worry, I'll help you. Go home and get ready. Tomorrow, you need to look stunning and go with Alexander."

"Thank you, Mrs. Smith," Stella said sweetly.

On the other side, Alexander returned to the Smith Group.

"Joseph, I need you to look into someone for me."