Chapter 1066

Ralph rolled his eyes at the gatekeeper, fully expecting to be stopped. "Then how can I go inside?" he asked. "I have urgent matters to discuss. You can't expect me to wait outside in this heat, can I? Can I enter if Alex grants permission?"

The gatekeeper, stunned by the suggestion, didn't quite understand but insisted, "If Mr. Russell allows it, we won't stop you. However, Mr. Russell isn't home."

"Why are you such a knucklehead? Just because he's not here doesn't mean I can't call him!" Ralph pulled out his phone and called Alexander. "Hello, Alex. Why did you leave? Where's my mother?"

Alexander glanced at Margaret beside him. "She's with me."

"With you? I thought she said she'd wait for me! Why did you leave without me?! Pass the phone to her!" Ralph complained, unhappy about being left behind.

Margaret, noticing Alexander's look, asked, "What's wrong?"

"Uncle Ralph said you were supposed to wait for him. Is that true?" Alexander asked, handing her the phone.

Margaret slapped her thigh, realizing her mistake. "Oh, I completely forgot! Yes, we were supposed to wait. I was so engrossed in talking to you both that it slipped my mind!" she exclaimed, gently tapping her head and sighing.

Taking the phone, Margaret told Ralph, "I'm so sorry. I forgot about you. Why don't you just go home?"

"Go home? I thought we were going for tea and Broadway! Fine, I'll wait, but they won't let me in. Can you ask Alex to tell his men I'll be waiting inside? Is he worried I'll steal something?" Ralph added, glancing disapprovingly at the gatekeeper.

"I-I don't think you should," Margaret said hesitantly, looking at Alexander. "Alex, since it's my fault, do you think you can let my uncle wait inside?"

Alexander glanced at her. "I don't think that's a good idea. Why don't you tell him to go home, and reschedule? Besides, I don't think you'll have enough time."

"How can I do that? It's not like they have a show every day! If I miss this, I might not get tickets for the next one!" Margaret immediately rejected his suggestion.

"Then how about we turn back now? You can make the show. We can reschedule our shopping," Alexander suggested.

Margaret shook her head. "You're always so busy. And your wedding's just around the corner. We can't postpone the shopping."

"Then..." Margaret insisted, determined to gain Ralph access.

"Forget it. I'll tell Ralph to go home. We'll just miss the Broadway show!" she finally said dismissively.

Though unhappy with her decision, Margaret noticed something. "Oh no, where's my ring? I had it on my finger a moment ago."

"Mom, what ring? Are you okay?" Ralph asked over the phone.