The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 8

Olivia

“You heard me correctly.” He remained perfectly composed while I coughed and sputtered. “I require a wife within four months, and I’ve decided you’re the most suitable candidate.”

I stared at him, certain I’d slipped into some alternate dimension. “Is this a joke?”

Alexander’s face remained perfectly serious, those gray eyes locked on mine without a hint of humor.

“I assure you, Ms. Morgan, I never joke about business matters.”

“And this is… business?” I managed, and my voice was higher than normal.

“Precisely.” He leaned back, completely at ease, while my world tilted on its axis. “My grandfather has given me an ultimatum. I must marry within six months to retain control of Carter Enterprises. Two months have already passed while I’ve evaluated my options.”

I set my water glass down before I could spill more of it. “And you landed on… me? A random employee you drove home once?”

“There was nothing random about my selection process.”

“Mr. Carter, I don’t understand why you’re telling me this. Surely you should be out there looking for someone suit- able to be your wife? Someone you’re actually dating? Maybe propose to your girlfriend?”

He looked at me in a way that suggested I was being deliberately obtuse. “If I had a girlfriend, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

“Then find one! There must be thousands of women in Los Angeles who’d jump at the chance to marry you.”

“That’s precisely the problem. They want to marry Alexander Carter, CEO and heir to the Carter fortune. The actual person is irrelevant.”

“And I don’t want to marry you for your money?” I asked incredulously.

His lips curved into something almost resembling a smile. “You’re different.”

“You don’t know me!”

and you understand busi- ness. You’re also honest-brutally so, based on how you handled your

neck at the reminder. “That doesn’t mean I want

explained the terms

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your

he said

me?” I demanded, standing up. “This is completely

those unnerving eyes. “I

as I

me

voice softened slightly. “I’m not some creep propositioning you, Olivia. This is a business ar- rangement that would

couch. “What could

forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Your student loans have been in deferment for two years, but that grace period ends next

fell open. “How did

insurance won’t fully cover. You’ve been working overtime for months, plus freelancing on weekends

felt the blood drain from my

corrected, as if that made it better. “After I drove you home that night, I saw you in the office on Monday morning. Most people wouldn’t show up to work

a serious invasion of privacy. You had no right to pry into my struggles

had our HR department pull your file. You applied for a company loan three months ago and were denied. You’ve been working sixty-hour

the one making me work those hours! The marketing department is severely

sudden increase in sales and customer engagement,” he finished for me. “Yes, I’m aware. And you’re being compensated for the overtime, but combined with

even as my exhausted body betrayed me with a poorly

Alexander’s lips twitched. “Clearly.”

I’d agree to marry you just because

exactly one year. After which we’ll amicably divorce, and you’ll

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