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.

avoid me

it if Miss Smith stopped touching me. I believe it

“Alex, look…”

his voice was not loud, it was

said, almost meekly. “I know I

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

I was your

Alexander snorted as he corrected her. “Was is

his arm, prompting her to let

treat me like a friend?” Zoe’s words echoed inside the mansion. “I— I know I made a mistake, but that

vanished. “What took

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

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

greeted. “You didn’t tell me

simply nodded. “Tell your mother

Daniel sighed. “Was

him without saying a

wanted you to settle down.

trip, Daniel?” Alexander interrupted

“I— ”

are too free lately. You

“What? That is not-

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

you talking about? I thought

more challenging. Something that would take a lot