Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 147

Chapter 147: A Call from Vogue

Olivia leaned back in her seat, her lips curling into a smirk as she crossed one leg over the other. “I heard everything you said, and just so you know, I’m not deaf,” she began, her gaze steady as she addressed the room. “My suggestions are harmless and deserve to be considered without bias.”

Her words, laced with feigned innocence, shifted toward Stephanie as if hinting that their Aunt ought to remain impartial. But Aurora wasn’t one to let her sister’s antics slide.

“Director,” Aurora said, her voice sharp, “Fruit Punch Champagne is my idea. You’re welcome to keep your ‘harmless suggestions’ to yourself rather than impose them on me.”

Olivia’s smirk deepened, enjoying the spark of anger in Aurora’s eyes. “You’re absolutely right. I don’t have the authority to impose anything on you,” she conceded, her tone almost too agreeable. But before the room could settle, she leaned forward, her voice turning pointed.

“However, Fruit Punch Champagne belongs to Vintage Cellar in general, not just you even though you birthed the idea. And as a director who prioritizes the success of this company, my suggestions should hold some value. Surely that’s not too much to ask, is it?”

Her words hung in the air as she glanced around the room, letting the weight of her statement linger before her gaze landed squarely back on Aurora.

Aurora’s jaw tightened as she fought to rein in her rising frustration. She could see right through Olivia’s pretence; this wasn’t about helping the company—this was sabotage, plain and simple. Her sister’s insincerity was glaring, but Aurora reminded herself to keep her composure. She refused to let Olivia exploit any weakness.

If this sister of hers had been sincere from the beginning, she would have welcomed her idea even though they hadn’t gathered to brainstorm on a new idea in the first place.

Aurora turned to Stephanie, silently conveying her trust in their Aunt’s final decision. Stephanie, picking up on Aurora’s restraint, relaxed her own posture. “A successful product needs to explore new opportunities,” Stephanie began diplomatically. “We will conduct some research and consult with the board to determine whether a Citrus or Tropical flavour would be best, though we will need to tread carefully since a tropical fruit was used in the original product.”

Stephanie’s decision was tactful, aimed at diffusing tension while preserving the company’s integrity. After briefly discussing branding strategies, she ended the meeting and rescheduled a follow-up for the next day.

—

Later in Stephanie’s Office, Aurora entered, her steps purposeful, and closed the door behind her.

“Aunt, I don’t think a Tropical-flavoured champagne will work,” she said, taking a seat across from Stephanie’s desk. “A single fruit keeps the identity of the champagne distinct. A Citrus flavour would preserve the champagne’s original essence, but Tropical might overwhelm it.”

Stephanie listened thoughtfully, nodding as Aurora explained her reasoning. “I will take your points into consideration before finalizing anything with the board,” Stephanie assured her.

Aurora studied her Aunt’s expression, finding solace in the older woman’s measured approach. If nothing else, she could trust Stephanie to put the company’s growth above personal biases.

—

As Aurora still had other things to do in her COO office, she went there first.

Sitting behind her desk, Aurora scanned her schedule. A winery visit loomed later that afternoon, but for now, she allowed herself a brief pause to collect her thoughts.

Her phone buzzed with an incoming call from a private number. Her brow furrowed as she hesitated, trying to place the unfamiliar country code. Deciding to take the call, she swiped her finger across the screen and placed the one on her ear.

“Hello, this is Rachel Lee, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Magazine, Wing City. Am I speaking with Director Aurora Swift of Vintage Cellar?”

Aurora’s heart skipped. The name rang a bell—Asher had introduced Rachel during the Fruit Punch Champagne launch, leaving her a business card and hinting at a possible feature. And now that she was on the line, Aurora thought that she must have called because of the interview. Immediately, she composed herself.

“Yes, this is Aurora Swift,” she replied warmly. “Good morning, Ms. Rachel.”

“Good morning, Director Swift,” Rachel returned, her voice pleasant yet professional. “I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time?”

“Not at all,” Aurora assured her. “I have time to spare.”

“Wonderful. First, let me congratulate you on your new position as COO and the success of Fruit Punch Champagne. It’s truly remarkable,” Rachel began, setting a friendly tone before diving into the purpose of her call.

Aurora listened intently, her pulse quickening as Rachel spoke about an exclusive interview and the opportunity to grace the cover of Vogue’s next issue. Though she tried to remain composed, excitement bubbled beneath the surface.

When Rachel asked for a convenient date, Aurora chose a Saturday later that month.

“Thank you for your time, Director Swift. My assistant will communicate every detail regarding the interview and shooting to you,” Rachel stated.

“Thank you for the opportunity,” Aurora said, her voice warm with gratitude. “I’m truly honoured.”

After the call ended, Aurora leaned back, her chest brimming with pride. She couldn’t wait to share the news. Grabbing her phone, she dialled Xander.

“Hello, Sweetheart,” Xander greeted, his voice filled with affection. “How’s work?”

“I’m having one of the best mornings ever,” Aurora said, her excitement spilling over.

Hearing the joy in her voice, Xander chuckled. “What happened? Tell me everything.”

Aurora launched into the story, recounting her conversation with Rachel Lee and the plans for the Vogue feature. Her enthusiasm was infectious.

“Congratulations, Sweetheart,” Xander said proudly. “Your hard work is paying off, and I know this is just the beginning. Keep it up.”

His words filled Aurora with warmth. “Thank you, Darling,” she said softly.

“Tell me,” Xander continued, his voice teasing, “what do you want to celebrate this milestone? Name it, and it’s yours.”

Aurora laughed lightly. “I will let you know when I think of something.”

“Take your time,” Xander said, smiling on his end.

Before hanging up, Aurora asked for Asher’s contact to thank him personally. Xander sent it immediately, and Aurora wasted no time texting Asher her gratitude.

“Hello, Asher! This is Aurora. Rachel Lee from Vogue Magazine contacted me for an exclusive interview and a cover feature. Thank you for introducing us! I’d love to treat you to a proper meal this weekend.”

Asher’s response was swift and warm. “The pleasure is all mine. Always happy to help my best friend’s wife. Have a great day.”

—

Aurora couldn’t resist calling Abigail next. The moment she shared the news, Abigail’s excited squeals nearly burst her eardrum.

“Aura, this is amazing! You better not keep calm about this!” Abigail exclaimed, her joy bubbling over.

Aurora laughed, picturing her best friend’s animated expression. “I will give you all the details later. For now, I need to get back to work.”

“Kisses!” Abigail said before hanging up, her enthusiasm leaving Aurora smiling long after the call ended.

With the day’s earlier frustrations forgotten, Aurora returned to her tasks with renewed vigour, her heart lighter with the anticipation of what lay ahead.

At noon, she had lunch before leaving for the winery with her assistant Lilian, to check on her new wine.

~***~

The next day at Vintage Cellar, the follow-up meeting convened in the elegantly designed boardroom. Stephanie sat at the head of the table, her presence commanding attention as the directors and staff settled in. The tension in the room was palpable, especially for Aurora, who had spent the last twenty-four hours silently bracing herself for Stephanie’s final decision.

Across the table, Olivia wore a confident smirk, her fingers lightly drumming against the polished wood. She glanced at Aurora with a mix of triumph and satisfaction, convinced she had succeeded in rattling her rival, even if only temporarily.

Stephanie cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s focus. “Thank you all for joining me today,” she began, her voice calm yet authoritative. “After much deliberation with the board, we’ve reached a decision regarding Fruit Punch Champagne’s next flavour.”

Aurora’s heart skipped as she leaned forward slightly, her hands clasped together under the table.

“We’ve decided to proceed with a Citrus flavour,” Stephanie announced firmly, her gaze sweeping across the room. “After reviewing our market analysis, we determined that Citrus not only complements the original product but also maintains the champagne’s sophisticated essence.”

Aurora’s shoulders relaxed, a wave of relief washing over her. Her idea remained intact, untainted by Olivia’s interference.

Olivia, on the other hand, balled her fists under the table, her knuckles turning white. The smile she had worn earlier was gone, replaced by a stiff expression. While the decision didn’t go her way, she found a small consolation: at least she had managed to put Aurora on edge, even if it was for just a single day.

Stephanie continued, her tone turning upbeat. “Production and advertising will commence immediately after the marketing team finalizes the label design. Let’s aim for a successful launch, just as we did with the original flavour.”