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

manage to

about? I thought this was just

wait. This is about the future of Carter

built Carter Enterprises from a small family business into a corporate empire and,

my

gasped softly. Father set

yet,” Grandfather snapped. “Just getting my affairs in order. And

forward. As CEO, I had a significant stake in the company, but Grandfather’s controlling shares would even- tually determine who truly

gaze on me. “You’ve done well as CEO. Profits are up. The board is happy. But

I frowned. “Our last quarter

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

husband coughed discreetly.

are you

leaned forward in his wheelchair. “I’m saying that to inherit my controlling shares in Carter Enterprises, you

his drink. Valentina

him. “You can’t

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

to

“You’re thirty-three, Alexander. Your relationships last shorter

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

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16:41

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said, forcing a smile. “Always a pleasure to

chuckled from the corner of the room. “The

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

my tie slightly.

addressing the room like I wasn’t there. “The merg- er nearly fell

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

for me,” I said

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

sharing that, Val,” I

back to her phone.

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

in excitement. “Really,

posture, dollar signs practically visible in

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

is absurd. You’re reducing the future of our