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.

to avoid me

“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 this. It

“Alex, look…”

voice was not loud, it was icy,

almost meekly. “I know I hurt

that Miss 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 was

corrected her. “Was is a

With that, he shook his arm, prompting her to let go of his suit. However, Zoe was far

a friend?” Zoe’s words echoed inside the mansion. “I— I

and his icy gaze immediately vanished. “What took you so long?” he smirked. There was a brief

send Josef for you.” Then he ended the call and

time, Zoe did not stop him from walking outside the mansion. What surprised Alexander was seeing his younger

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

simply nodded. “Tell your mother to stop

Daniel

walked past him without saying

Mother just wanted you to settle down. Father

was your trip, Daniel?” Alexander interrupted

“I— ”

too free lately. You even have the time to talk

“What? That is not-

send you to supervise it.” Alexander started walking towards his car. Hearing

thought you were sending

need something more challenging. Something that would take a