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”

me, boy. I’ve been

of us manage to arrive on

about?

waved his hand dismissively. “Dinner can wait.

Carter Enterprises from a small family business

my

gasped softly. Father

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

forward. As CEO, I had a significant stake in the company, but Grandfather’s

done well as CEO. Profits are up. The

last quarter was

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

coughed discreetly.

exactly are you

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

Mother gasped again. Father actually put down his drink.

at him. “You

“Carter Enterprises has always been family-run. Family means

committed to the

or anyone else.” Grandfather shook his head. “You’re

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

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16:41

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forcing a smile. “Always

Richard, Victoria’s father, chuckled from the corner of the

“Last year, we selected a perfectly suitable woman for him. The engagement was announced in the

loosened my tie

Father continued, addressing the room like

Such a lovely girl and from a good family.

right for me,” I

her phone. “He didn’t like her. Said she reminded him

you for sharing

and went back to her phone.

cane again. “Enough! The terms are simple. Alexander marries within six months, or Victoria

excitement. “Really, Grandfather?

his posture, dollar signs practically visible in his

to watch it get dismantled by your husband’s investment firm,” Grandfa- ther snapped

absurd. You’re reducing the future of our family business to whether or not I get married?