Mr. Chairman’s Devious Wife by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 5

Smooth jazz tunes danced through the air, creating a mellow atmosphere in the dining room of the Beaumont Mansion. The gentle hum of the nearby man–made lake and the sounds of birds outside the mansion added to the tranquil setting.

However, this did not ease the tension that wrapped around Mrs. Beaumont as she feigned a smile toward the beautiful woman with blond hair across from her. “I never expected that you would still remember the perfume that I like, Zoe. I truly appreciate it,” Mrs. Teresa Beaumont said.

Her gaze drifted toward Alexander, who was sitting next to Zoe, silently sipping his tea. Seeing his lack of interest in the current conversation, she quickly added, “How was your trip to Paris?” She took a sip of her tea, her gaze again darting towards Alexander.

Zoe smiled in response, her dimples showing. “It was perfect. Sadly, I did not visit Paris for a vacation. I barely had any sleep,” Zoe Smith said. “The fashion week was brutal as always.”

“Ah… look, I believe your favorite cookies are done. Let me get the chefs…” Teresa got up and quickly rushed towards the kitchen without waiting for them to say another word.

Seeing his stepmother gone, Alexander immediately stood up.

“Alex… where are you going?” Zoe asked, her innocent blue eyes meeting his brown icy ones. For a few seconds, she froze, unable to cope with the coldness of his eyes.

“I have a meeting in five…” Alex said.

“But I just I just arrived and-” She looked at the box on the table. “You have yet to open the gift that I bought.”

“Let mother open it,” Alexander said. He turned around, but just as he

45 14:15

Chapter 5

started walking, he felt someone grab his arm.

to avoid me forever?” Zoe

stopped touching me.

“Alex, look…”

me Mr. Beaumont,” Alexander said. While his voice was not loud, it was icy, devoid of any expression. Almost immediately, Zoe’s

said, almost meekly. “I know

Smith would visit today, I would not have come,” Alexander said. “I would prefer it if Miss Smith kept her distance from me. There is nothing between us. I do

I was your

snorted as he corrected her. “Was is a

arm, prompting her to let go of his

echoed inside the mansion. “I— I know I

pursed his lips. Just as he was about to answer, his phone suddenly rang. He opened it, and his icy gaze immediately vanished. “What took you so long?” he smirked. There was a brief silence on the other line before he

Josef for you.” Then he ended the call and started walking away, his strides long and

Zoe did not stop him from walking outside the mansion. What surprised Alexander

greeted. “You didn’t tell me you would be visiting

your mother to stop involving herself in my

she-” Daniel sighed. “Was it Zoe

walked past him without

just wanted you to settle

your trip, Daniel?” Alexander interrupted him. “How was

“I— ”

are too free lately. You even have the

“What? That is not-

project in Asia. I am going to send you to supervise it.” Alexander

thought you were sending me to Europe?

more challenging. Something that would take a