After Divorce, I Found Love Within the Walls of your Family

Alexander's POV

"Sir, are you sure about what you are doing?" Thomas, my assistant, asked as I stood at the window, looking down at the building's entrance, watching Rose and her secretary step out and disappear into the crowd below.

"Do you have a better option?" I said without turning. "Besides, you were the one who reminded me about needing a wife for the chairman position. So basically, you wanted me to pick her."

I moved back to my seat, settling into the leather with the kind of ease that came from years of never doubting a decision once made.

"I didn't know you would want to select her. Or did you do that because I said so?" he asked.

"No. I chose her because she fits the woman for the job," I said, resting my elbow on the table, my chin propped against my knuckles. "I need a woman with power, influence, grace, and poise. And Mrs. Rose right here fits in."

"So would you cancel your contract with the Carter group?" Thomas asked.

I looked at him. "Speaking of that, I need his files back."

Thomas opened his tablet and slid it toward me. "This is him."

I scanned through Carter's credentials again, slower this time, letting my eyes catch on the details I'd skimmed past before. "Hmm. This face looks familiar. Can you find out more about his family?"

"I already did, sir. Because I knew you would ask." He pulled up another file, a photograph loading beside it. "His father is Mr. John Carter. The company was started because he always loved the job but could not fund it fully, so his son had to build it."

I exhaled at the face on the screen, massaging my forehead slowly, feeling something old shift uncomfortably in my chest.

"Is there a problem, sir?" Thomas asked.

"No. Not yet." I waved it off. "Now, back to why Rose would want me not to work with him because her reason doesn't sit well with me."

"Yes, sir. I also did some digging on that too." Thomas hesitated, his eyes flicking to mine before continuing. "Mr. Carter recently just got divorced, and the woman is—" He paused, staring at me a moment too long.

"Why did you pause?" I asked, my hand still beneath my chin, my patience thinning by a thread.

"The woman is Rose Vale. During that time, she was off the media for a while, because she was married to him," Thomas said carefully.

"So she is a divorcee. Right," I said, and Thomas nodded.

"That's right, sir."

"So if I understand the picture well she must be the reason Carter went this far," I murmured, half to myself.

"I guess so, sir. Because Mr. Carter started the company not too long ago, and in four years, he has made it to the top," Thomas said.

"So you are trying to tell me that Adrian doesn't know his wife's identity," I said, my voice low.

"Yes, sir. Because if he did, I don't think he would want to leave her at any cost," Thomas replied.

"So she is trying to get revenge on him. But why?" I muttered, more to the window than to him.

"I recently found out that Mr. Carter cheated on his wife on a constant basis. I guess she was tired and wanted to leave him," Thomas said.

"Well, Adrian just lost his lucky charm. Because his company can't hold on for too long," I said flatly.

"Why did you say so, sir?" Thomas asked, brows drawing together.

"Because he lacks business ethics. He is always looking for investors instead of building a stable company making him an incompetent leader. His business strategies are rubbish, it can't keep money flowing for too long," I said.

Thomas looked at me, genuinely surprised. "How do you know that, sir?"

"His credibility file says it all about him," I said. "I don't care if he is cheating on his wife. But if I need more money, I need it with someone that does not mix business with pleasure."

"And another thing, sir Carter really does look up to you," Thomas added.

I chuckled at that, low and without much humor. "In every one of his interviews, he believes he would one day have a collaboration with you," Thomas continued.

"Well, with what I am seeing here, I don't think that would be possible anytime soon," I said, flipping back to Adrian's proposal on the desk. "Are you sure I signed this, Thomas?"

"Yes, sir, you did. In your words; this would make me a lot of money," he said.

I massaged my forehead again, feeling the beginnings of a headache building behind my eyes. "The advantage of having a smart woman behind you," I muttered. "Anyway, end whatever contract we have with the Carters," I said, rising from my chair. "I have a meeting to attend."

"But sir don't you think you should know the reason for their marriage annulment?" Thomas asked.

I scoffed, adjusting my suit jacket. "I have had enough information on the Carter’s and the Rose lady. That is all I need to know."

"Do you think the board would believe that?" Thomas said quietly.

"Believe what?" I asked, turning to him.

Thomas adjusted his glasses, suddenly finding somewhere else to look. "Nothing, sir. I would have the deal cancelled as soon as possible." He hesitated again. "But sir, can I ask a question?"

I looked at him, waiting.

"Are you really going to marry another man's ex-wife and destroy Carter's position because a woman said so?" he asked.

I smiled at that slow, unbothered. "You have worked with me for quite some time now, Thomas, and you still don't know what and how I work."

"I do know you are not biased, sir. Even though the internet painted you as one," he said.

"Carter doesn't deserve to work with me, and I am not doing it because of a woman, I'm ending it because he's not the right businessman." I said, my tone leaving no room for further argument.

Thomas nodded slowly. "Understood, sir," he whispered.

"Get the marriage rules ready and send them to Miss Rose Vale," I said, already turning toward the door. "And I need an answer before the end of the day."