Chapter 26
So narcissistic.
But he wasn't wrong.
Of course, Scarlett wouldn't admit it at a time like this.
She shifted her gaze. "The breakfast at Sage & Stone is pretty good. It's my first time trying it."
Alexander looked visibly taken aback, and Scarlett almost couldn't hold back her laughter.
Who knew that the next second, he stood up.
Scarlett's smile froze on her face.
Alexander walked towards her, step by step, and finally stopped in front of her.
Just as Scarlett was about to lower her head, Alexander leaned down and cupped her face in his hands.
The position was too intimate, and Scarlett's movements were uncontrollable. She had no choice but to let him guide her to look up and meet his gaze.
His eyes were filled with desire, deep and intense.
Scarlett couldn't help but feel weak at the knees.
He gradually lowered his head, the distance between them shrinking even more.
Scarlett's breathing quickened, and she couldn't help but close her eyes.
A warm touch on her lower lip made her tremble, but the sensation was fleeting.
Alexander's laughter exploded in her ear. "Scarlett, what are you waiting for?"
Scarlett's eyes snapped open.
Alexander showed her the moisture on his thumb and slowly wiped it off with a tissue. "Next time you drink milk, be careful not to tempt me."
Scarlett's face turned bright red.
So Alexander hadn't leaned in to kiss her.
And she had closed her eyes, even secretly hoping for it.
How embarrassing!
Scarlett was furious and glared at the man who had successfully played his prank. "Alexander, you're so annoying!"
—
Aria took Evan's invitation very seriously and spent almost all her time at the office.
Scarlett was equally busy, barely having a moment to herself.
With Moira away, Scarlett had to personally oversee the contract terms from Evan's side.
Plus, she and Tammy had to handle the accumulated work from Moira's absence, making Scarlett practically live at the office.
On top of that, Scarlett felt Alexander was partly to blame.
He kept coming over, and while it did brighten her mood, it also somewhat lowered her work efficiency.
Tammy didn't mind. "Scarlett, I think you're biased against Mr. King. He's great—handsome and brings Sage & Stone's afternoon tea. He seems better than you."
Scarlett laughed and poked her head. "You get bought off so easily?"
Tammy laughed.
With her busy schedule and the nanny not living in, Scarlett had to bring Tracy to the office.
Tracy was quite popular at SM, even having her own fan club, with Tammy as the president.
To avoid Tracy being overwhelmed, Scarlett kept her in her office.
Tracy was very well-behaved and recently obsessed with building blocks.
Moira had gone to Solstice and bought a bunch of Solstice-themed blocks online, sending them home with the idea that Tracy could build the places her mom had seen.
Scarlett found it amusing, but Tracy liked it and was currently building a pyramid.
Scarlett had a meeting with the legal team to confirm Evan's contract. Before heading to the conference room, she handed her phone to Tracy and seriously instructed.
"Tracy, I have to work. Be good, and if you get bored, go bother your mom."
Moira, just a few days ago she said she was pausing her travels to come back, but who knows what tempted her during the return trip—she's nowhere to be seen now.
She couldn't let Moira have too much fun.
Alexander didn't go to SM today, which surprised Mike.
He had gotten used to shuttling between the Black Group and SM, almost considering asking Scarlett for a desk.
But today wasn't a good day.
Alexander's recent actions had drawn criticism from the Black Group's management, even bringing in Jay to pressure him.
It was understandable, considering Alexander was parachuted into his position.
Even with Jay's endorsement and his undeniable skills, the large Black family had many eyes on the position he took, naturally causing resentment.
Every move Alexander made was scrutinized, and any misstep was criticized.
Alexander was well aware but didn't care.
The higher-ups had planned a meeting to criticize Alexander's recent performance, and he didn't refuse, even staying at the office for it.
Mike's confusion was cleared at the start of the meeting.
Alexander didn't give them a chance to speak.
Once everyone was seated, he began, "Since you've brought my father here, let's settle some accounts. I've had some free time and reviewed the Black Group's finances over the past two years. There were quite a few surprises."
As he spoke, he distributed the documents he held. "If you have questions for me, why not read these first?"
After handing out the documents, Alexander returned to his seat. "I'll give you ten minutes."
The room was silent.
Many of the Black Group's veterans held their positions not due to skill but luck.
For instance, making the right choice during the company's early days or following the right person.
They held high positions, but their abilities didn't match, leading to frequent blunders.
Alexander didn't need much effort to estimate their capabilities.
The documents he distributed highlighted their mistakes.
For ten minutes, the room remained silent.
Alexander looked around calmly. "Any questions?"
Everyone exchanged glances but remained silent.
No one knew how much leverage Alexander had, so no one spoke first.
Alexander had anticipated this outcome. After bidding Jay farewell, he left the conference room.
As the door closed behind him, Jay laughed heartily. "Your skills are nothing compared to Alexander's. Stop causing trouble. With his abilities, you'll be well off with just the dividends."
After speaking, he left too.
His words were true, but who would listen? Even Jay couldn't be sure.
Alexander and Mike hadn't gone far when his phone chimed.
He took it out and saw a video call from Scarlett.
Mike saw it too, thinking Alexander was about to succeed.
Alexander answered, and Tracy's round face appeared first.
Tracy, in a sweet childlike voice, said, "Mr. King, come play with me and Mommy."
"I have something to do today..."
Before he could finish, Tracy continued, "Mommy said she misses you, Mr. King."
Mike clearly saw Alexander's Adam's apple move noticeably after that sentence.
Tracy's words had clearly excited Alexander.
Alexander, controlling his emotions, asked, "Really? What else did she say?"
Tracy seemed surprised by the question. She scratched her head and, under Alexander's eager gaze, added, "Mommy also said Mr. King is very handsome! Just like... just like the lion... lion-faced sphinx!"
Mike swore he wasn't easily amused, but he couldn't help it this time.
Kids' wild imagination was too much.
She couldn't even say "sphinx" correctly, but she was already using it to make things up.
He could already picture Alexander's face on a lion's body.
Alexander had to admit, before that sentence, he was very excited.
But the second sentence was so absurd that the first one was questionable.
Tracy saw his lack of reaction. "Oh, Mommy said a lot. I can't remember. Mr. King, come ask her yourself!"
It seemed she really wanted him to come over.