Chapter 37: My Husband is My Boss??

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The moment Drake Egerton walked into the room, the atmosphere shifted. Normally, all the attention would be on him. Drake Egerton was a man who oozed charm from every pore. At six feet one, his tall, athletic frame filled any room he entered. His sharp jawline, perfectly groomed stubble, and sparkling hazel eyes often left a trail of admiring glances in his wake. His hair, a shade of rich chestnut, was always immaculately styled, slightly tousled yet giving off the perfect combination of polish and playfulness. His tailored suits fit him like a second skin, accentuating his broad shoulders and slim waist, making it clear that Drake knew how to present himself—effortlessly attractive, both inside and outside the boardroom.

Women gravitated toward Drake, and it wasn’t just because of his looks. His smooth, easygoing charm was disarming. He knew exactly what to say and when to say it, often leaving people hanging on to his every word. However, it was widely whispered throughout the office—and even in social circles—that Drake had a notorious habit of dating women, only to drop them when things became too serious. The rumor was that he changed women as often as he changed his ties, never committing but always leaving them wanting more. His flirtations were subtle but always there, enough to stir excitement, but never enough to make him seem disingenuous.

Despite the whispers and his personal life, Drake’s work ethic was unquestionable. He had joined Allure Fashion fresh out of school, leaving his family's business behind to 'hone his skills,' as he’d told his grandfather, who had begrudgingly given him a ten-year deadline to return. That time was nearing, but Drake remained in his element at Allure, far from ready to give it up. With his natural charisma and business acumen, he had helped the company rise to the top, becoming the leading fashion house in the country. He was the face everyone knew, but Drake was not the real power behind the brand—everyone was still waiting to meet the man at the helm, the chairman, Alexander Evans.

Today was different. As much as Drake usually dominated the room with his presence, he knew that the spotlight wasn’t on him. The office was buzzing with excitement, not about him, but about the long-anticipated arrival of the chairman. He could feel the shift in energy as the door to the boardroom opened, and all eyes turned expectantly toward the entrance.

When Alexander Evans stepped into the room, everything changed.

At first, there was a brief moment of silence, followed by a collective intake of breath. Several women in the room, who had been casually observing the meeting, now sat up straighter, some even hurriedly fixing their hair or discreetly applying a bit more lip gloss. Nina, in particular, was flustered, smoothing down her skirt and applying a quick dab of lipstick, as if she was preparing for an impromptu photoshoot.

Alexander was younger than most expected, and his entrance had an undeniable impact. He was tall, slightly taller than Drake, standing at about six feet two, but with a different kind of presence. His dark hair was perfectly styled, with a slight wave that gave him a boyish yet sophisticated look. His piercing blue eyes were intense and commanding, framed by dark, long lashes that any woman would envy. His complexion was flawless, with a hint of a tan that gave his sharp, angular features even more definition. His jawline was strong, dusted with a five o’clock shadow that added to his rugged yet refined appearance. His perfectly tailored suit, an understated navy, hugged his frame in all the right places, exuding elegance and power.

However, it wasn’t just his appearance that drew people in—it was his aura. Alexander had an undeniable air of authority, cold and distant, that made others feel both in awe and slightly on edge in his presence. He was the type of man who commanded a room without saying a word, and when he did speak, his words were carefully chosen, direct, and often laced with a hint of aloofness that reminded everyone who was really in charge. There was no room for emotion in his dealings—he was known to be ruthless in business, and his icy demeanor only added to his mystique. Women were undoubtedly drawn to him, not just because of his good looks, but also because of the power and control he exuded.

Several women in the room gasped, while others fidgeted nervously, trying to make themselves look as attractive as possible. There was something about him that made every woman feel drawn to him instantly, as if his mere presence was enough to make anyone fall in love at first sight, even though his cold exterior suggested he was unreachable, a man who would never be easily tamed.

Emily, seated beside Sophia, couldn’t contain her excitement. She nudged her friend with wide eyes, whispering furiously, “Oh my God, Sophia! He’s straight out of a novel! I’m already in love with him!”

Sophia, distracted by her phone, hadn’t been paying attention to the fuss, but at Emily’s insistent nudging, she sighed and finally looked up. What she saw made her freeze in place, her eyes widening in shock.

The chairman—the man everyone had been whispering about, the man who had captured the attention of every woman in the room—was none other than Alexander Evans. Her Alexander.

Sophia gasped, and her exclamation was loud enough to draw a few curious glances from her colleagues. Most assumed it was just another giddy reaction to Alexander’s good looks, but Sophia was in shock. Her husband was the chairman of the company she worked for, and she had no idea.

As their eyes met across the room, Alexander’s icy demeanor cracked, just slightly. His gaze softened for a brief moment, and he allowed himself a subtle smile—one only she could recognize. There was a teasing glint in his eyes, as if he had been waiting for this very moment, and the smirk on his face said everything. He had known all along.

Sophia’s thoughts were spinning. I’ve been working for my husband all this time? How didn’t I know? She blinked, her heart racing, unsure how to process the realization. Alexander, however, remained composed, slipping effortlessly back into his cold, businesslike exterior as though nothing had changed.

Drake Egerton, standing beside him, smiled as he introduced the man everyone had been eagerly waiting for.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to officially introduce our chairman—Mr. Alexander Evans.”

There was a hush, followed by murmurs rippling through the room as people began whispering to each other. The name held weight, but only a few seemed to fully understand who Alexander Evans truly was.

Alexander, with his striking presence, addressed the room with ease. His voice was deep and steady, commanding attention. “Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. It has not gone unnoticed, and I want to personally congratulate each and every one of you for your contributions in making Allure Fashion the success it is today.”

His tone was serious, but there was a warmth to it that made people sit up a little straighter, proud of their work. “As a token of appreciation, I’m pleased to announce that there will be a company-wide bonus distributed at the end of the quarter.”

A ripple of excitement spread through the room, and some people exchanged excited glances.

“But that’s not all,” Alexander continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. “There is also an international competition coming up, one that will place Allure Fashion on the global stage. We need a designer who can represent us at this prestigious event. I trust our department heads to select the right candidate.”

The room buzzed with speculation. This was a big deal, and everyone knew it. For a designer to be chosen to represent the company at such an event was a career-defining moment. Many eyes darted around, sizing up the competition, while others already fantasized about the opportunity.

As the room was filled with excitement, Alexander’s gaze drifted back to Sophia. His eyes softened for a brief moment before he spoke again, “Miss Blackwell, see me in my office after the meeting.”

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