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

us manage

her. “What’s this about? I thought this

can wait. This is about

future, everyone paid attention. He’d built Carter Enterprises from a small family business into a corporate

updating my will,”

Father set down

my affairs in order. And I’ve

company, but Grandfather’s controlling

done well as CEO. Profits are up.

frowned. “Our last quarter was our best in five

He thumped his cane on

husband coughed discreetly. Victoria’s

are you saying,

that to inherit my controlling shares in Carter Enterprises, you need to be married within

actually put down his drink.

stared at him. “You

serious.” Grandfather’s expression didn’t change. “Carter Enterprises has always been family-run.

committed to the

else.” Grandfather shook his head. “You’re thirty-three, Alexander. Your relationships last shorter than some

herself. “Oh, this is priceless. Is Alexander getting married? He can’t even keep a girlfriend

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16:41

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that astute observation, Victoria,” I said, forcing a

from the corner of the room.

record?” My father set his tumbler down with more force than necessary. “Last year, we selected a perfectly suitable woman for him. The engagement was announced in the Times, for God’s sake. And then what

my tie slightly.

before the wedding,” Father continued, addressing the room like I wasn’t

lovely

right for me,” I

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

sharing that, Val,”

went back to her phone. “Just telling it

The terms are simple. Alexander marries within six months, or Victoria receives my controlling stake in

her champagne in excitement. “Really, Grandfather?

posture, dollar signs

this company for forty years to watch it get dismantled by your husband’s investment firm,” Grandfa- ther snapped at Victoria. “But at least you

stood up, pacing the Persian rug. “This is absurd. You’re reducing the future of our family business