C178 Loopholes

After discovering the two major loopholes within Lucia Goods' management structure, Alicia wasted no time. As the newly appointed Director, she immediately scheduled an online Zoom meeting with every department head and supervisor in the company. Within minutes, meeting invitations appeared in every employee's inbox. Meeting Time: 10:00 AM

Seeing that we had already made some progress for the morning, I stood up from the sofa. "I'll head to my office now," I said. Alicia looked up from her laptop before smiling mischievously. "I thought you wanted to be my assistant." She folded her arms. "Now you're running away the moment your wife gets into trouble?"

I couldn't help laughing. "If that's the case..." "I'll stay." She looked hopeful. "Really?" I nodded seriously. "But first..." She raised an eyebrow. "What?" I smiled innocently. "Give me a kiss, then I'll think of a solution." Her cheeks instantly turned pink. "I... I was only teasing you." "And I was completely serious." She covered her face for a second before letting out a defeated sigh. "You always corner me..."

Slowly she stood up, walked around the desk, and leaned toward me. A gentle kiss landed on my lips. It lasted only a few seconds before she quickly pulled away, too embarrassed to meet my eyes. "There..." "Happy?" I smiled with complete satisfaction. "Very." She rolled her eyes. "You've become impossible after getting married."

I chuckled before speaking. "Your father appointed me Vice Director." She nodded. "Yes." "But think about it..." "If my office stays locked every day while I'm always sitting in yours..." "...what will your father think?" She blinked. "I never thought about that." I continued. "So here's my proposal." "I'll use my office whenever people are around." "When we need to work together, I'll come here." "That way..." "I'm still your Vice Director." "I'm also your assistant." "And..."

I leaned closer with a grin. "...I'm still your husband who occasionally asks his wife for kisses whenever she's stressed." For a moment Alicia simply stared at me. Then, without warning, she threw her arms around my neck. "Husband!" "That's a brilliant idea!" She hugged me tightly. "I knew marrying you was the best decision I've ever made."

I laughed while wrapping my arms around her waist. "Oh?" "So that's one of the reasons you love me?" She nodded repeatedly. "Definitely." I pretended to think deeply. "And the other reasons?" She looked away shyly. "...You're handsome." I smiled. "What else?" She poked my chest. "You're kind." "And?" She hesitated. "...Your abs."

I burst into laughter. "My abs?" She immediately regretted saying it. "I-I didn't mean..." "So..." I interrupted. "My wife likes abs?" She shook her head frantically. "No!" "I only like yours." I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" She became even more embarrassed. "I mean..." "When we were in France..." "That night..." "You weren't wearing a shirt." "My heart..." "...started beating very fast."

I couldn't stop laughing. "So you fell in love with my abs before you fell in love with me?" "What?" She gasped dramatically. "You were still my brother then!" "I wasn't thinking like that!" "Were you?" I teased. She froze. After several seconds she whispered, "...I don't know." I laughed so hard that even she started laughing.

Finally she lightly hit my shoulder. "Stop laughing!" "I confessed something embarrassing." I gently held her hand. "Thank you." She looked up. "For what?" "For liking me..." "...even thoughi am not rich." "... and have a criminal record." "...but something as silly as my abs made your heart race." She smiled softly. "I would've loved you even without them." I leaned closer. "Really?" She nodded. "Really."

Before I could steal another kiss, her laptop suddenly made a notification sound. She looked toward it before pointing at the door. "Vice Director." "Go to work." I sighed dramatically. "Director Mooney is chasing me away already." She laughed. "I'm protecting myself." "If you stay another five minutes..." "...I'll never finish preparing for the meeting." Still smiling, I finally walked toward my office.

At Wood IT Company, A taxi slowly came to a stop outside the company headquarters. Chris and Sarah stepped out together. Chris adjusted his suit while carrying two beautifully wrapped boxes. They had barely taken a few steps before Sarah suddenly stopped. "Something's wrong." Chris followed her gaze. Samantha's car wasn't parked in its usual place. "Strange..." Chris muttered. "Maybe she's running late." Sarah nodded. "Let's go inside."

The two entered the building together. Chris headed straight toward the Administrative Department. Today would officially be his last day there. His footsteps slowed as he entered the familiar office. Everyone was already busy working. The moment they saw him, cheerful greetings filled the room. "Morning, Team Manager!" "Good morning!" Chris smiled. "Good morning, everyone."

The office soon became quiet. He placed the two boxes on a nearby desk before speaking. "My friends..." "Today marks the end of our journey together." Several people looked up curiously. "I've officially been promoted." Amanda Stokes immediately stood. "Really?" Chris nodded. "I'll be taking over as Vice Director." Silence. Someone accidentally coughed. Another employee blinked repeatedly. No one had expected such a huge promotion.

Amanda recovered first. She walked over and picked up the boxes. "What's inside?" Chris smiled. "A small thank you." "For the past weeks we've worked together." "Please share them with everyone." Amanda opened the first box. Inside were dozens of imported chocolates. The second contained even more varieties.

Instead of handing them out one by one, everyone rushed over excitedly. "My favorite!" "I haven't had this one before!" "Thank you, Team Manager!" Within seconds laughter filled the department. Amanda looked at him again. "So..." "You're really becoming Vice Director?" Chris nodded proudly. "I still can't believe it myself." "But yes." "It's official."

He looked around the office. "I hope you'll support whoever replaces me the same way you've supported me." Several female employees looked visibly disappointed. One finally gathered enough courage to speak. "My office crush has been promoted." Another quickly added, "Mr. Chambers..." "Since we won't be working together anymore..." "...would you consider dating me?" Laughter erupted throughout the office.

Just then, Sarah quietly appeared at the doorway. She had heard everything. Chris smiled before answering confidently. "I told everyone before..." "I already have someone I love." He looked toward Sarah. "And..." "...she isn't just my girlfriend anymore." "She's my wife." The room instantly fell silent. "Wife?" "Mr. Chambers..." "You're married?" Chris nodded proudly. "My mysterious wife." "And trust me..." "...she's far more beautiful than anyone here."

Sarah's cheeks turned bright red. Several employees finally noticed her standing by the door. Everyone immediately straightened. "Director Wood!" "Good morning, Director!" Some even whispered, "She's so beautiful..." Chris turned toward Sarah with an exaggerated professional expression. "Director." "How may we assist you?"

Sarah almost burst into laughter. She struggled to keep a straight face. "I'm here regarding Mr. Chambers' promotion." "As everyone already knows..." "...he'll be moving to the Vice Director's Office today." She looked around the room. "So we'd like to appoint an Interim Team Manager." The employees exchanged glances.

Finally several people looked toward Devon Reyneke. Devon smiled awkwardly. "I think Mr. Chambers has worked more closely with Amanda and Tricia." Chris nodded. "Exactly." Then he looked toward Tricia Sunderland. "Who said Team Managers have to be men?" "Tricia..." "You'll become Interim Team Manager."

Tricia froze. "Me?" "You've earned it." "I trust your leadership." Sarah smiled. "Then it's settled." She turned toward Chris. "Pack your things, Mr. Chambers." "I'll personally show you your new office." Amanda smiled politely... But inside her heart sank. She had secretly hoped Chris would choose her. Tears almost fell from her eyes. As Chris reached the entrance of his private office, he suddenly stopped.

He turned around. "Amanda." She looked up. "Yes, Mr. Chambers?" "You should start packing too." She blinked. "...Me?" Chris smiled warmly. "Yes." "You'll be transferring with me." "I'd like you to become my secretary." "We've worked well together." "I'd like that partnership to continue." Amanda's eyes instantly filled with tears. "Really?" Chris nodded. "I trust you." "And..." He chuckled. "My mysterious wife already knows you." "You already know her." "So she won't be jealous."

Sarah's cheeks became even redder. The smile she had been trying so hard to hide finally appeared. Everyone immediately surrounded Amanda. "Amanda!" "You know his wife?" "Who is she?" "Tell us!" "When did you meet her?" Amanda looked just as confused as everyone else. She silently wondered, "When did I ever meet Mr. Chambers' wife?" "And... what if I accidentally offended her without even knowing?"