My CEO HUSBAND:sign the divorce

Chapter 245: Did you drink last night?

Alicia’s POV

I arrived at the company building that towered over Rosewood Town.

The structure stood proudly against the backdrop of the ocean, a symbol of the town’s prosperity.

After entering the lobby, I walked toward the elevator and pressed the button.

Once the doors opened, I stepped inside and selected my floor.

As the elevator ascended, I watched the upper manufacturing floors through the glass panels. Workers moved efficiently between departments while large machines processed cotton harvested from farms across Rosewood.

Whitmore Industries was the heart of the town.

From cultivation and harvesting to textile processing, the company handled every stage before supplying materials to clothing manufacturers and industries across the country.

Most families in Rosewood were connected to Whitmore in one way or another.

Some owned cotton farms.

Some worked in the factories.

Others operated local businesses supported by the company’s success.

When the elevator doors opened, I stepped out and headed toward the conference room.

Employees greeted me along the way.

"Good morning, Director Alicia."

"Morning."

"Good morning, Director."

I nodded politely to each of them.

Soon I arrived outside the conference room.

Through the glass walls, I could already see everyone seated inside waiting for me.

I pushed the door open and smiled apologetically.

"I’m really sorry, everyone. Something came up."

"It’s alright, Director Alicia," someone replied.

As I walked inside, I noticed Anna staring at me with obvious disapproval.

My smile widened slightly.

Anna hated waiting for people.

I quickly took my seat at the head of the table.

"So, what do we have today?"

Anna immediately gestured toward the file in front of me.

"It contains the results from the product testing phase and customer reviews from the stores that received our first batch."

I nodded and opened the file.

The room gradually fell silent as everyone reviewed the documents.

Two years ago, when I first joined Whitmore Industries, I noticed a major opportunity.

The company supplied textile materials nationwide, yet stopped there.

After studying the market, I proposed that Whitmore launch its own clothing brand instead of supplying materials alone.

The idea had been controversial.

Some shareholders supported it.

Others opposed it.

But eventually, the proposal passed.

For the past two months, the entire project had been under my supervision.

Every Wednesday, we gathered to discuss progress, setbacks, and future plans.

After reviewing the reports, I looked up.

"The feedback is generally positive."

Several people nodded.

"Our products are receiving excellent reviews."

I tapped the report.

"The problem is confidence."

"Exactly," one of the team leaders replied.

"Most store owners are hesitant to place large orders because we’re still a new brand."

"People trust established names," another added.

"They’re reluctant to take risks on smaller brands."

I nodded thoughtfully.

That was exactly the issue.

The product wasn’t the problem.

Visibility was.

"Our clothing is high quality," I said.

"We’ve already proven that."

The room fell silent.

Everyone waited for me to continue.

"What we need now is exposure."

A few people exchanged glances.

"And how do we achieve that?" someone asked.

I leaned back slightly.

"We need a partnership."

The room immediately became quiet.

Anna closed her eyes.

Several managers looked uncomfortable.

I already knew what they were thinking.

Rosewood had always preferred independence.

The town valued its privacy.

Most people disliked involving outsiders in local affairs.

"Director Alicia..." Anna began carefully.

"I know."

I cut her off gently.

"I know exactly what everyone is worried about."

My gaze swept across the room.

"But think about it."

"We already supply materials to companies all over the country."

"We’re connected to outside businesses whether we acknowledge it or not."

Nobody argued.

I continued.

"A strategic partnership doesn’t mean giving away control."

"It means creating opportunities."

I paused before adding,

"If we want this brand to succeed, we need people beyond Rosewood to know our name."

A manager raised his hand.

"What if a partnership gives outsiders influence over the company?"

A few people immediately nodded in agreement.

It was a valid concern.

I smiled slightly.

"That’s why we choose carefully."

"We’re not looking for investors."

"We’re looking for exposure."

I leaned forward.

"A partnership should benefit both sides."

"It should create opportunities for Whitmore, increase sales, create more jobs, and ultimately benefit the entire town."

The room fell silent again.

This time, however, the atmosphere had changed.

People were thinking.

Considering.

Evaluating.

Exactly what I wanted.

After several minutes of discussion, heads slowly began nodding around the table.

By the end of the meeting, it was decided.

We would conduct further research, prepare a proposal, and gather enough evidence to present the idea to the executives and shareholders.

As everyone began organizing their documents, I allowed myself a small smile.

This was only the first step.

But it was a step forward.

And sometimes that was all a project needed.

"What did you drink last night that made you wake up late this morning?" Anna asked sarcastically after everyone else had left the conference room.

I rolled my eyes.

"You know I don’t drink, Anna."

"Exactly."

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"So what happened?"

I gathered the files on the table and sighed.

"Come on, you know what happened."

"You left early, Aunt Margaret was busy in the kitchen, and that little lady decided breakfast was her mortal enemy."

Anna immediately burst into laughter.

I pointed accusingly at her.

"Don’t laugh."

"Seriously, do you enjoy it when she tortures me with those little tantrums?"

"Hey."

Anna folded her arms.

"You’re the one who was late for work."

"Don’t try to blame my baby girl."

I groaned dramatically.

Typical Anna.

No matter what Aimy did, Anna would always defend her.

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"Fine."

I raised both hands in surrender.

"I was late."

"There. Happy?"

"Very."

Anna smiled proudly.

"But it won’t happen again if certain people stop leaving the mansion so early every morning."

She immediately understood what I meant.

Her laughter echoed through the room.

"I should definitely buy Aimy some chocolates later."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Try it and you’ll be dealing with her sugar rush."

That only made Anna laugh harder.

I shook my head and headed toward the door.

"I have to check the production processes upstairs."

She pointed toward the elevator.

"Want to come?" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"Nah."

I adjusted the files in my arms.

"I need to review some project proposals first."

"I’ll join you when I’m done."

"Alright."

She waved.

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"See you later."

With that, she headed toward the elevator while I made my way back to my office.

The rest of the day passed quickly.

Meetings.

Reports.

Project reviews.

Before I knew it, evening had arrived.

I was organizing documents on my desk when a knock sounded on the door.

"Come in."

My assistant, Helen, stepped inside.

"Director Alicia, the CEO would like to see you."

My brows furrowed.

"Right now?"

"Yes, ma’am."

"I just received a call from his office."

I nodded.

"Alright. Thank you."

Helen left, and I stood from my chair.

A few minutes later, I arrived outside the CEO’s office.

I knocked lightly.

"Come in."

The familiar gentle voice came from inside.

I pushed the door open....