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

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Chapter 5

started walking, he felt someone grab his arm.

planning to avoid me forever?” Zoe asked

at the woman wearing a beige frilly dress. “I would appreciate it if Miss Smith stopped touching me. I believe it would not be appropriate if the media took a single picture of

“Alex, look…”

While his voice was not loud, it was icy, devoid of any expression. Almost immediately,

almost meekly. “I know I hurt you.

Alexander said. “I would prefer it if Miss Smith kept her distance from me. There is nothing between us. I

I was

as he corrected her. “Was is

he shook his arm, prompting her to let go of his

a friend?” Zoe’s words echoed inside the mansion. “I— I know I made a mistake, but that was in the past. Can― Can we start

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

“Send me your address. I will send Josef for you.” Then he ended the call and started walking away, his

stop him from walking outside the mansion. What surprised Alexander

Daniel greeted. “You didn’t tell me you

mother to stop involving herself in

did she-” Daniel sighed. “Was it Zoe

past him

to settle down. Father

Daniel?” Alexander interrupted him.

“I— ”

lately. You even

“What? That is not-

in Asia. I am going to send you to supervise it.” Alexander started walking towards his car. Hearing his words, Daniel immediately ran

I thought you were sending me to Europe? How about

something more challenging. Something that would take a