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”

with me, boy. I’ve

smirked. “Some of us manage to arrive on time,

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

waved his hand dismissively. “Dinner can wait.

built Carter Enterprises from a small family business into

updating my will,”

gasped softly. Father set down

dying yet,” Grandfather snapped. “Just getting my affairs

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

done well as CEO. Profits are up. The board is happy. But there’s something

I frowned. “Our last quarter was our best in

not talking about business.” He thumped his cane on

coughed discreetly.

exactly are you

saying that to inherit my controlling shares in Carter Enterprises, you need to

his drink. Valentina

at him.

Grandfather’s expression didn’t change. “Carter Enterprises

committed to the

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

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

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16:41

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for that astute observation, Victoria,” I said, forcing a smile. “Always a

of

“Last year, we selected a perfectly suitable woman for him. The engagement was announced in the Times, for God’s sake. And then

my tie slightly.

addressing the room

“Penelope Langford? Such a lovely girl and from a good family. What

for me,” I

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

for sharing

went back to her phone. “Just telling it like it

terms are simple. Alexander marries within six months, or

excitement.

straightened his posture, dollar

dismantled by your husband’s investment firm,” Grandfa- ther snapped at Victoria. “But

You’re reducing the future of our family business to whether or not