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!”

He crossed one long leg over the other. “You’re intelligent, resourceful, and you understand

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

explained the

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aren’t going to be any terms because this is insane! I’m your employee,

my employees,” he

“This

remained seated, watching me with those unnerving eyes.

much as

me

some creep propositioning you, Olivia. This is a business ar- rangement that would benefit

better judgment, I sank back onto the couch. “What could you possibly know

knees. “Your student loans have been in deferment for two years, but that grace period ends next month. You’ve received four collection notices in the past two weeks

open. “How did

You’ve been working overtime for months, plus freelancing on weekends to save up

drain from my face. “Have you been spying

in the office

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

been working sixty-hour weeks since January, which exceeds our recommended maximum. If this continues, HR will be forced to restrict your hours

the one making me work those hours! The

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 your freelance work, you’re heading

as my exhausted body betrayed me with a

Alexander’s lips twitched. “Clearly.”

think I’d agree to marry you just because I have financial

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

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