"How did he provoke you?" Gloria didn't speak for a long time, and Stewart asked awkwardly.
Gloria froze and was speechless. Her expression changed dramatically.
"Forget it! Just come and take him away today! I don't want to see him again!" Gloria shouted.
"Gloria, if you don't like me to kiss you, I won't do it again. Don't send me away, please." Patrick's voice sounded.
Gloria's hand trembled, and she had a headache.
There was a strange silence on the phone.
Gloria could guess Stewart's expression on the other side of the line.
"Shut up!" She shouted at Patrick, who was trying to soften her up.
"So that's the reason. He's quite a jerk." Stewart rubbed his nose and wanted to laugh, but he did not dare to provoke Gloria further. He could only hold back his laughter, and his face was distorted. "Gloria, Alpha Alex took the opportunity to intervene in the internal affairs of the Hammond Group. I have been going crazy dealing with him for the past two days. If I keep Patrick by my side, I'm afraid that I won't be able to hide his condition for long. Gloria, he's just a kid now. Don't be mad at him."
"I didn't..."
Before Gloria could finish her words, Stewart cut in. "Children express their affection for someone by kissing them. It's just out of their instinct and pure. Patrick just expressed his affection to you. Don't misunderstand him."
Gloria was stunned, her face blushing.
"You should not judge children's thoughts from an adult's point of view," Stewart continued.
Gloria was so angry, and her hand that was holding the phone trembled slightly. She sneered. "Is it my fault? Do you mean I had dirty thoughts? Stewart, you know very well! Is he only a child?"
Her face was gloomy. "He forgot everything, but I remember! I can't let bygones be bygones! Stewart, I'll remind you for the last time. Take him away today!"
If Gloria had to spend time with Patrick, she was afraid that sooner or later she would make silly decisions.
She was afraid that she would be soft-hearted.
"I am going to work now. After I get off work, if he is still here, I will send him to Alpha Alex. It is up to you." Gloria no longer listened to any persuasion and hung up the phone.
Ignoring Patrick's disappointed look, she washed up, grabbed her bag, and left.
Gloria had been busy all day in the company. Mandy entered the president's office to pick up the contract with the Damen Group. At noon, she found that Gloria was still busy.
Mandy thought that Gloria was focused on work because she valued cooperation with the Damen Group. However, in the afternoon, Mandy learned from the staff of the Secretary Department that Gloria had asked them to give her all the documents recently.
Mandy felt that something was off. She wanted to knock on the door of the president's office, but the door opened itself when her hand reached it. Only then did Mandy realize that Gloria had thrown herself into work.
"Miss Carter." Mandy pushed the door open and strode in. She was a little angry. "I know that there are many problems with the Carter Group, but since we have gotten the contract from the Damen Group, can't you relax a little?"
"It has nothing to do with the Damen Group," Gloria replied indifferently. She signed the document without looking up.
Mandy frowned. "Then what are you busy with?"
"Alright. Mandy, get out," Gloria said without raising her head.
Since Gloria was working wholeheartedly, Mandy was both mad and concerned. She slammed the desk and said, "Did you even have lunch?"
"I'm not hungry. Just leave," Gloria said coldly.
Mandy was slightly stunned. Ever since she worked for Gloria, Gloria had never treated her so indifferently.
"You must eat..." Mandy was interrupted before she could finish her words.
"Get out," Gloria said lightly again. She raised her head from a pile of documents and looked at Mandy.
"What happened?" Mandy pondered for a moment and felt that something was wrong as Gloria had never treated her like this. "Gloria, I will go out, and I understand why you are so devoted to work. But at least you should spare some time for lunch."
"I told you. I am not hungry," Gloria said and lowered her head again.
Mandy frowned. "If you don't have lunch on time, I can't explain it to..."
Mandy was angered by Gloria's attitude.
"What?" Gloria raised an eyebrow. "Explain what? To whom?"
Only then did Mandy realize that she had spilled the beans. Since things had gone on like this, she thought that there was no need to keep the secret from her.
"Before Alpha Patrick went to Italy, he asked me to make sure you would eat properly every day. Although he didn't remember it now, I promised him back then and I should take the responsibility," Mandy said as she looked at Gloria's face.
When Gloria heard Patrick's name, she became more agitated. "Am I your superior? Or is he your superior? Mandy, you should know your position."
Her face changed as soon as she finished her words. She realized that she had gone too far.
"Gloria?" Mandy looked at her in surprise.
"Get out."
"Did something happen?" Mandy knew Gloria well. "Tell me. Maybe I can help you."
Gloria slammed the table and stood up. She knew that Mandy was for her good, but she could not stand such chatter. "Get out."
She walked around the desk, grabbed Mandy's arm, and dragged her out.
Mandy didn't give up. "Just tell me about it. Is it about Patrick? Maybe I can..."
"You can't!" Gloria couldn't bear it and shouted. Mandy's comforting words annoyed her. It was as if they were sharp arrows and stabbed her heart.
She did not want to hurt Mandy, nor did she want to hear Mandy mention Patrick's name again.
She just wanted Mandy to shut up and leave her alone.
"It's about Patrick, isn't it?" Mandy figured.
Gloria lowered her head in depression and grabbed Mandy's sleeves tightly. She suppressed her emotions and said in a low voice, "Mandy, can you please leave me alone?"
She seemed to be pleading.
Mandy was stunned and finally came back to her senses. She wanted to slap herself because she had been muddle-headed.
Looking at Gloria's dejected appearance, Mandy didn't say anything more. She opened the door and walked out of the office.
Gloria did not return to her seat to continue with her work. She stood quietly there, her face pale.
She stood there numbly.
About a quarter later, a takeout was placed at the door.
There was a knock on the door, and Mandy stayed outside, "Eat something."
Then, she left quietly.