The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 5

Alexander

I parked my car in the circular driveway of my parent’s estate, taking a moment to prepare myself for the inevitable Carter family dynamics.

Sunday dinner at the Carter mansion, a tradition as old as the oak trees lining the property, was something I both dreaded and looked forward to.

The mansion stood like a monument to old money, with stone façades and manicured gardens that screamed, “We’ve had wealth for generations.”

My phone buzzed with an email from work, but I ignored it. Work could wait, but family obligations couldn’t, espe- cially when Grandfather Harold was involved.

I straightened my tie and headed inside, where Martha, our longtime housekeeper, greeted me with a warm smile.

“Mr. Alexander, everyone’s waiting in the drawing room. Your grandfather arrived early.”

That was never a good sign. Grandfather arriving early meant he had an agenda.

“Is Victoria here?” I asked, handing Martha my coat.

“Yes, sir. With her husband. They arrived about an hour ago.”

Perfect. My cousin Victoria and her investment banker husband Thomas, the power couple who never let anyone for- get how perfect their life was.

The drawing room buzzed with conversation that stopped when I entered. Mother rose from her seat, elegant as al- ways in her pearl necklace and tailored dress.

“Alexander, darling. We were beginning to worry.”

I kissed her cheek. “Traffic was terrible. Sorry, I’m late.”

Father nodded from his armchair, whiskey in hand. “Son.”

That was Father, a man of few words unless discussing business or golf.

Victoria sat perched on the antique sofa, her husband’s arm draped around her shoulder in that possessive way I found irritating. My sister Valentina was there, too, scrolling through her phone.

But it was Grandfather Harold who commanded the room from his wheelchair. At seventy-eight, he might have lost some mobility but none of his mental sharpness or business acumen.

“Alexander,” he barked. “Sit down. We need to talk.”

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16:41

I took a seat across from him. “Good to see you too, Grandfather”

smart with me, boy. I’ve been

smirked. “Some of us manage

ignored her. “What’s this about?

hand dismissively. “Dinner can wait. This is about

When Grandfather talked about the company’s future, everyone paid attention. He’d built Carter Enterprises from a small family business into a corporate empire and, at

my

Father

getting my affairs in order. And I’ve made some decisions

significant stake in the company, but Grandfather’s controlling shares would even- tually determine who truly ran

me. “You’ve done well as

frowned. “Our last quarter was our

his cane on the floor. “I’m talking about family. Stability. A

coughed discreetly.

exactly are you

forward in his wheelchair. “I’m saying that to inherit my controlling

actually put down his drink. Valentina looked up from her phone. Victoria burst

at him. “You

“Carter Enterprises has

committed to the

anything or anyone else.” Grandfather shook his head. “You’re thirty-three, Alexander. Your relationships last

couldn’t contain herself. “Oh, this is priceless. Is Alexander getting married?

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16:41

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said, forcing a smile. “Always a

of the room. “The

down with more force than necessary. “Last year, we selected a perfectly suitable woman for him.

my tie slightly.

room like I wasn’t there. “The merg- er nearly fell apart because of

lovely girl and from a good family.

wasn’t right for me,” I said

looked up from her phone. “He didn’t like her. Said she reminded

you for sharing that, Val,” I

to her phone. “Just telling it like it

Alexander marries

nearly spilled her champagne in excitement.

husband Thomas straightened his posture, dollar signs practically visible

by your husband’s investment firm,” Grandfa-

Persian rug. “This is absurd. You’re reducing the future of our family business to whether or not I