Chapter 12 The Chairman's Wife

Sandra was gazing at a wall painting, lost in thought, unaware that Roland had quietly approached until he was just a few centimeters behind her. "Do you like this place?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, so close to her ear that she could feel his breath. Startled, she turned without thinking. Roland's face was mere inches from hers, causing her to panic. She stepped back instinctively, only to find herself trapped against the wall.

Her heart pounded wildly, but Sandra refused to admit defeat. She raised a hand, pointing a finger to poke his shoulder and push him away. Before she could touch him, however, he caught her wrist, leaning even closer to her ear. "I heard you met my mom today?" he whispered.

Losing all patience, she yanked her hand free and shoved his chest, forcing him to step back. Seizing the chance, she slipped away from his trap, her annoyance clear on her face. "Yes, we talked about business," she snapped. Roland, with an amused smirk, raised an eyebrow in acknowledgment. "Hmm," he mumbled, then gestured for them to leave.

They walked out of the house and climbed into Roland's car. As they drove through the city in silence, Sandra's guard was up, her defenses at full strength. She resolved to remain cautious as long as Roland was near. She knew he was a dangerous man, and she couldn't afford the delusion that they were truly a married couple. She feared she might betray herself and fall for the wrong person. She secretly hoped he wouldn't treat her well, so her resolve wouldn't waver. After their marriage in the US, he had promised they would go their separate ways once they returned to the country.

"Would you like me to come to your office tomorrow for the contract?" Roland suddenly asked, pulling her from her deep thoughts.

Sandra shook her head. "No. I'll come tomorrow during lunchtime," she replied. Roland smiled and nodded. She immediately looked away, her heart racing again. She cursed inwardly. He's too dangerously handsome.

The next day…

In a high-rise building, a handsome man sat behind a massive mahogany desk in the center of a grand office. Two people—a man and a woman—sat in front of the table, waiting for Roland to speak.

"Buy me all the specialty dim sum from Great Oriental," Roland said abruptly. It turned out the paper he'd been studying so intently was Sandra's profile report. "You may go."

The two bowed and left. As soon as the office door closed, Emily, Roland's assistant secretary, turned to Andreas. "Who is the boss meeting today that he even cares about the food?" she asked curiously.

Andreas gave her a stern look. "The chairman's wife is coming for lunch. You'd better behave and not offend her."

Emily was speechless. She'd never heard that their boss was married—she thought it was just an engagement. She quickly pulled her phone from her desk and texted her cousin, Jenny, who worked as the Marketing Director of Fleming Corps PH. Jenny had been vying for the chairman's attention for years, traveling to the country whenever he was there for work. When she'd learned of his engagement, she'd been heartbroken, crying all night.

Emily: Cuz! Emergency! The chairman's wife is coming for lunch in his office!!

Jenny:????????

Emily: Andreas confirmed it!

Jenny: I'll see you for lunch.

In the marketing department of Fleming Corps, an attractive woman sat at her desk with a gloomy expression, staring intently at her phone. Jenny had tried every method possible to uncover the identity of Roland's fiancée, but to no avail. Determined to meet this "vixen" today and size her up as a worthy opponent, she stood and strutted toward the elevator, heading for the lobby.

Sandra stepped out of a taxi and looked up at the towering, intimidating high-rise building of the Fleming Group. Mighty and imposing, she thought. She walked inside and approached the front information desk. Behind it stood a woman in a navy pencil skirt suit—likely a uniform—a security guard, and a seductive, gorgeous woman in a beige suit.

"Yes, ma'am, how may I help you?" the uniformed woman asked.

"I'm here for a meeting with Chairman Fleming," Sandra said confidently.

"Your name, ma'am?"

"Sandra Romualdez."

The seductive woman suddenly stepped out from behind the desk and approached Sandra. "Hello, I'm Jenny Chua, the Marketing Director of Fleming Corps. What's your business with Roland?" She deliberately said Roland's name with an intimate tone, eyeing Sandra up and down. A mocking glint flashed in her eyes for a brief moment, but Sandra caught it.

"You're the Marketing Director. I don't think I need to explain my business with him since it's a personal matter," Sandra replied coolly. Jenny's face twisted with anger. She was certain this plain-looking woman was her dream man's wife, and she couldn't accept it. She'd hoped to provoke Sandra into making a scene and embarrassing herself, but she hadn't expected the "fox" to be so sly.

Regaining her composure, Jenny forced a smile. "It's alright. He'll surely tell me tonight," she said, her tone dripping with provocation.

"Good for you," Sandra shot back with a smile, her mockery unmistakable. Jenny turned to leave, her smiling facade instantly replaced by a scowl of rage. She vowed never to forget the name Sandra Romualdez. Who does she think she is? She's not even that beautiful or exceptional. Jenny was determined to take Roland back from this "slut."

Hearing Andreas, Roland looked up from his work and smiled at Sandra. But after experiencing what had transpired in the lobby, Sandra's mood was foul. She tried to maintain a poker face and nodded in return. Roland gestured for her to sit on the sofa. He then sat beside her and signaled to Andreas. A few moments later, Emily entered with two paper bags bearing the Great Oriental logo. The moment Sandra saw them, her anger dissipated slightly. She didn't know why she had been feeling so irritable, but now she realized she might just be hungry.

Emily set up the table in front of the couple, stealing glances at Sandra as she worked. Emily thought she was truly beautiful. Unlike her cousin Jenny, Sandra wore minimal makeup. She had an ethereal and elegant mannerism, as if she came from a noble family. To some, she might appear plain, but to Emily, her beauty had a solid foundation. She thought the chairman's wife suited him perfectly. A pang of guilt struck her for thinking this way and felt sorry to her cousin.

Sandra remained quiet throughout the activity around her. "Let's eat first," Roland said. Without much reaction, she picked up her chopsticks and began eating. She had thought she was hungry, but after a few bites, her appetite started to fade.