MARRIED BY ACCIDENT

Chapter 27

Katherine

I plopped down on the swivel chair as I entered my office.

"Who made the princess of the Hanford Group angry?" Derek asked with a smile as he entered my office and saw that I was in a bad mood. When he saw me enter my office, he immediately followed me.

"My rotten dad and stepsister," I quickly replied. "He went to our house and slapped me. He's ordering me to admit to Mr. Brixton that it's not true that he kicked me and my Mom out of the house before. He wants me to say that I just made everything up to ruin him. He really has the nerve to say that to me."

"Ohh. Your useless father finally found you. After ten years, he looked for where you live just to order you around? What an asshole father," Derek commented while shaking his head. "But what does Mr. Brixton have to do with your father? Did you and he know each other?"

I quickly shook my head. "My husband is his driver now. Alberto believes that Axel badmouthed him to his boss, which caused Mr. Brixton to stop his cooperation with the Harret Group. And Alberto is blaming me," I explained to him. Even now, my blood is still boiling because of what happened.

"Really? Your husband is that influential to the CEO of AB Empire?" Derek couldn't believe it. Even I can't believe that Mr. Brixton would cut off his cooperation with the Harret Group just because of the words of his driver. "Your husband and the CEO of AB Empire share the same first and last name. And now, just one word from him made Mr. Brixton stop their cooperation with your father. Don't you think it's a coincidence? Didn't you find it weird?"

I looked at Derek with a frown. "Are you implying that Axel Brixton is also the CEO of AB Empire?"

Derek nodded slowly. "Everything is too much of a coincidence. Especially the similarity of their first and last names. And you said that he was a car mechanic at Casa De Tire and now he's the driver of the CEO of AB Empire. It's too much for a coincidence. Don't you think so?"

I suddenly paused. Actually, I already thought that they might be the same person. But if Derek's analysis is correct, why would Axel hide his true identity from me? I quickly shook my head. It can't be. The two of them were different people.

"I don't think you're right, Derek. I have meet Axel Brixton twice already. And when I first met him, he was with Axel. And another thing, I've met my husband's parents. They didn't say or mention to me that their son is the CEO of AB Empire," I said, then I suddenly fell into deep thought. I have met AB twice, but I was confused because they seemed like different people.

"So it's was really a coincidence," Derek said with a hint of regret. It seems like he still wants the CEO of AB Empire to be my husband. But AB Empire is a rival company of Handford Group.

"Yes. So get that idea out of your head that AB and my husband are the same person," I ended our conversation about that matter. "By the way, are these the papers I need to sign and approve?" When Derek nodded, I immediately started checking the pile of papers on my desk.

"By the way, Katherine. I have two invitations of Mr. August Delgado's banquet. You need to attend this banquet."

"Why do I need to attend Mr. Delgado's banquet? Isn't it usually you and your girlfriend who attend those gatherings?" I asked him with a frown. When Derek attends a party, he always brings his girlfriend, even if the party is business related.

"Because AB of AB Empire will attend this party," Derek replied with an excited voice.

I couldn't help but swallow when I thought that I might meet AB at the banquet. I don't understand why I suddenly felt excitement. I quickly shook my head. I shouldn't entertain that thought in my mind. Although Axel and I were just married in name only, we are still a married couple. It's not good to think of another man when I already have a husband.

"Okay. I will go with you. But not because of AB. I just want to socialize sometimes."

"Alright. Will go there at seven tonight." Derek left my office with a smile.

Exactly seven in the evening, Derek and I were entering Mr. Delgado's large house. Someone immediately greeted Derek when they saw him arrive. I didn't pay attention even though almost no one greeted me. They're not used to seeing me at gatherings. I'm not sure if any of them know that I'm the CEO of Handford Group while they knew that Derek was the trusted assistant of the Handford Group's CEO. But I don't mind it. The fewer people who know my identity the lower the possibility of exposing my being a secret agent.

"Derek?" My friend and I turned around when a woman called his name. A beautiful woman approached us and looked at me badly. "Who is she?" she said, pointing at me using her mouth as if I were not a person but a thing.

"It's nice to see you here, Viola," my friend greeted the woman with a smile. He didn't seem to notice the woman's sharp look at me. I wonder what her relationship is with Derek.

"Who is she, Derek?" I asked my friend in a sweet voice. I hooked my arm on his arm. If she is one of the women chasing Derek, I should protect my friend. I don't like the woman. She looks possessive of Derek. "Are you cheating with Sheena?"

I noticed that the woman's face darkened at what I did. I can't be wrong. I see jealousy on Viola's face. Derek is just not aware because he probably doesn't pay attention to her. His full attention is only on his girlfriend and, of course, on my company.

"What are talking about? She's Viola Davis. Sheena's best friend," Derek whispered to me before looking at the woman again and smiled. "Is Sheena with you?"

"If she was with me now, she would have caught you cheating with another woman," she replied with a frown as if she were my friend's girlfriend. She didn't hide her sharp look at me when she turned to me. "Don't you know that the man you're with has a girlfriend? Can't you find another rich man so you went for a taken man? If you want, I'll introduce you to my handsome friends who are even richer than him," she said to me with a smile. Not a friendly smile but an insulting smile.

I slightly smirked. Her insult to me was subtle. But if she thinks I'll let that pass, then she's wrong.

"Yes, I know. Actually, I also know his girlfriend. How about you? You know Derek has a girlfriend but you're jealous as if you're his girlfriend. You like him for yourself, right?" I replied frankly to her. "You better know your place, girl. You're nothing to compare with Sheena."

Viola's face turned red with embarrassment, especially when the women around us who heard what I said to her whispered.

"You're slandering me! How could I covet my best friend's boyfriend?" she quickly defended herself. But she quickly recovered from her embarrassment and the insulting smile returned to her lips. "Maybe you're just using Sheena to get close to Derek. I should warn her about you."

"Stop your nonsense, Viola! Katherine is my boss," Derek said to the woman in annoyance. "She and Sheen are also good friends. Don't ruin their beautiful friendship if you don't want your friendship with my girlfriend to be ruined," he warned her.

Viola suddenly turned pale and her eyes widened when she heard what Derek said. She just realized that she can't afford to offend me. She's Sheena's best friend, so it's impossible that she doesn't know that her friend's boyfriend works at Handford Group as the CEO's assistant. And when Derek said that I'm his boss, the woman immediately realized that I'm the CEO of Handford Group.

I smiled and brought my face closer to Viola. "Be careful with your words next time. You might just realize that your family's businesses are bankrupt."

Viola backed away and her face turned even paler with fear. She knows that I can do what I said with just once call.

I unintentionally looked at the five people drinking wine while talking. But my gaze focused on one of the five men, who was none other than my husband. What is Axel doing at the banquet? And he's even talking to four big people in the business world. Why does he seem so used to talking to high-ranking people when he's just a driver?