Chapter 561

Zack sighed, a hint of gloom tinting his voice. He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing, “You see, when Mr. Winston approached our factory for a partnership, we were thrilled. But he is a stickler for details-his standards are sky-high! Last night, when we caught wind that he might send someone to inspect, we were all wound up tighter than a drum, working overtime until the wee hours to make sure the assembly lines were squeaky clean.”

Was Frederick Winston really that intimidating? Why did everyone seem to fear him?

Marguerite Lockwood chuckled, offering Zack a dose of reassurance, “He does have his own standards when it comes to work. Don’t worry too much. If the collaboration goes well, he’ll remember your efforts.”

Zack nodded, half-convinced, but his trust in Marguerite grew a notch.

Recalling the previous night’s factory gossip, he thought that knowing the enemy could ensure a smooth partnership, so he probed Marguerite for some intel, “By the way, Ms. Lockwood, I’ve been meaning to ask you something. Is it true that Mr. Winston has an ex-wife he’s still very much in love with?”

Ex-wife? That would be her! But where did this notion of a deep love come from?

Marguerite hesitated, not responding immediately. Zack, however, went on explaining, “Ms. Lockwood, I’m just curious. Everyone says that the fragrance in this blush was concocted by Mr. Winston’s ex-wife, which is why he’s so strict with every department.”

Marguerite blinked, her inquisitive gaze settling on Zack, trying to gauge the truth behind his words.

She awkwardly asked, “Zack, do you know who I am?”

Zack assumed, “Aren’t you Mr. Winston’s assistant?”

Marguerite let out a playful scoff, “Sure, I’m his assistant.”

It seemed Zack was truly clueless about her real identity.

Marguerite knew the subtleties of business etiquette. To secure a deal, many would avoid brown-

nosing directly, instead, they’d cozy up to the client’s family-either the kids or the spouse. After all, if you win over the person closest to the decision-maker, you’re just a whisper away from sealing the deal.

But Zack didn’t appear to have such an ulterior motive. So what was he really getting at?

Who had started this rumor about Frederick having a beloved ex-wife?

Curious, Miley Goldie leaned in and pressed, “Zack, where did you get all this? Mr. Winston has an ex-

wife he’s still in love with? That’s news to me!”

Zack, brimming with gossip, replied, “Oh, it’s the talk of the factory floor! When you first showed us the blush sample, some of the girls immediately recognized the scent!

They were all die-hard fans of Polar Radiance and the story of Mr. Winston and his ex-wife was quite the buzz online back in the day!”

Miley prodded playfully, “But that doesn’t prove Mr. Winston is still in love with her. She’s an ex for a reason, right? Maybe the romance faded long ago!”

Zack, however, was adamantly shaking his head, “I beg to differ, Ms. Goldie! After Mr. Winston returned from abroad, he dove into real estate, and then suddenly he’s at Poppy Petal Fragrances as a mere director.

The way he gets hands-on with everything, it’s quite the shocker! Once they mentioned the fragrance in the blush, it all clicked-we figured he’s still got a torch for his ex!

Ms. Goldie, take it from someone who’s been around the block. With men, don’t listen to what they say;

watch what they do and how they do it!”