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,

manage to arrive on time,

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

dismissively. “Dinner can wait. This is about the future of

the company’s future, everyone paid attention. He’d built Carter Enterprises

updating my

gasped softly. Father set down his

relax; I’m not dying yet,” Grandfather snapped. “Just getting my affairs in

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

well as CEO. Profits are up.

I frowned. “Our last quarter was

business.” He thumped his cane on the floor. “I’m talking

husband coughed discreetly. Victoria’s smile

exactly are

that to inherit my controlling shares in Carter Enterprises,

again. Father actually put down his drink. Valentina

him. “You can’t

didn’t change. “Carter Enterprises has

committed to

his head. “You’re thirty-three, Alexander.

getting married? He can’t even keep a girlfriend past

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16:41

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astute observation, Victoria,” I said, forcing

chuckled from the corner of the room.

year, we selected a perfectly suitable woman

my tie slightly.

room like I wasn’t

dramatically. “Penelope Langford? Such a lovely girl and from

wasn’t right for

Said she reminded

sharing

sister shrugged and went back to her phone. “Just

The terms are simple. Alexander marries within six months, or Victoria receives

spilled her champagne in excitement. “Really, Grandfather? You’d

Thomas straightened his posture, dollar signs practically visible in

your husband’s investment firm,” Grandfa- ther

“This is absurd. You’re reducing the future of our family