Love's Redemption

"Oh!"

At the sound of the exclamation, I saw Xander turn his head to the side and cover his eyes with his hand.

Brandon stood up straight and said calmly, "Mr. Roulder, haven't you seen people in love before?"

Xander lowered his hand. "I've seen it before, but this is the first time I've seen it done so... intimately."

He turned to me. "Ms. Crown, you really live up to your reputation in the marketing department. You've developed a new style of affection."

I was speechless.

"Are you tired standing there? Others are." Brandon ended Xander's teasing.

Xander slapped his forehead. "Look at me, so shocked that I forgot the main event."

He moved aside and said, "Boss, please."

Boss?

I was startled and then saw a short, plump man with what looked like a seven-month 'pregnant belly' walk in.

Not knowing who this person was, I instinctively looked at Brandon.

The latter was already seated and gently rubbing his lips. I noticed a mark of my lipstick on his fingertips.

"Boss, please take a seat here!" Xander eagerly pulled out the chair at the main seat.

Only then did I remember that Xander had mentioned bringing someone I wanted to meet.

Just as I was realizing this, Xander began the introduction. "Boss, these are the two recruits. This is our Technical Engineering Director, Brandon Howell, and this is our Marketing Director, Madeline Crown."

He turned to us. "Mr. Howell, Ms. Crown, this is our big boss, Mr. Stephen."

This was the big boss?

He was the mysterious boss I had been curious about.

The person in front of me did not match my expectations at all.

Besides, his last name was Howell too.

Could it be that the person who invested in Xander's company was actually this man?

Wasn't it Brandon?

"Mr. Stephen." Brandon had already greeted Stephen.

Meanwhile, I was still dazed, feeling like I had been hit with a heavy blow.

It wasn't until Xander called out to me. "Ms. Crown, stop being mesmerized by Mr. Stephen's looks. Get up and say hello."

I was speechless.

Regaining my composure, I stood

and nodded slightly to the man in front of me, who looked thirty in the face but fifty in the body. "M

Stephen, I'm Madeline Crothe

"I know who you are. Please, have a seat!" Stephen said with a warm smile.

That did match the demeanor of someone who would give everyone a green light.

Even so, I was still a bit shocked. Ever since I found out the person who invested in Xander was a Howell, I had assumed the big boss was Brandon.

Reality completely overturned my assumptions, and the impact was quite significant.

Still, I felt something was off.

I didn't sit down but said, "Sorry, I need to make a phone call."

As I headed for the door, I lowered my voice and said to Xander, "Mr. Roulder, could you step outside for a moment?"

"Sure. I'm always free for a beauty.

"Mr. Howell, chat with Mr. Stephen. You both share the Howell surname. Maybe you'll discover you're family."

Xander then glance metNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I stood at the door while Xander followed me out with a bright smile on his face. "Ms. Crown, what did you want to talk to me about? Are you looking into Mr. Stephen?"

"Yes!"

Xander's smile grew even brighter. "Ms. Crown, what do you want to know about Mr. Stephen? Are you curious if he's married or has a girlfriend?"

I skipped the pleasantries and asked straight away, "Is he really the big boss?"

Xander laughed. "What's the matter? Do you think he doesn't look the part?"