The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 23

Olivia

“That’s literally all it was,” I insisted. “He had questions about the presentation.”

“For an hour?” Alice asked.

“He’s thorough,” I replied, feeling my cheeks heat at the double entendre.

“I bet he is,” Nova waggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Thorough in all the right places.”

“Oh my god, stop!” I laughed despite myself.

“Come on, Liv,” Vivian pressed. “You can tell us if something’s going on.”

“There’s nothing going on,” I said firmly. “I barely know the man.”

“Well, you should get to know him,” Alice suggested. “He’s single, rich, and looks at you like he wants to eat you alive.”

“I’m not interested,” I lied. “Besides, I just broke up with Ryan. I’m not looking to jump into anything new.”

“Fuck Ryan,” Nova said bluntly. “That cheating asshole doesn’t deserve another thought. You should be out there get- ting under someone new to get over him.”

“And that someone should be Alexander Carter,” Vivian added with a grin.

“You’re all impossible,” I groaned. “Go to happy hour without me.”

“Fine, but you’re missing out,” Alice said, grabbing her jacket. “Last chance?”

I shook my head. “I really need to finish this.”

“Your loss,” Nova called over her shoulder as they headed for the elevator. “Don’t work too late!”

As soon as they were gone, I let out a long breath. Alone at last.

The office was quiet, and most employees had left for the day. Alexander’s secretary

Morgan,” she greeted me with a polite smile. “Mr. Carter

knocked once

immediately, giving me a moment to study his profile, the sharp jawline, the slight furrow between his brows as he

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Chapter 23

Morgan,” he finally said, setting down his pen and looking up.

waiting,” I replied, trying to sound casual despite my racing

to the chair across from his

on the edge of the seat, crossing my legs at the

here.” He slid a thick document across the polished surface. “Take

contract with slightly trembling

$300,000 immediately upon signing, and another $700,000 would be transferred on our wedding day. If Alexander canceled the arrangement before the wedding, I’d keep the ini- tial payment

If the contract extended beyond one year, I’d receive $1 million for the first year of marriage

I murmured, flipping

compensation,” Alexander replied,

We would live at the Carter estate. We would share a bedroom. We would engage in “physical relations” as part of maintaining the

in here,”

non-negotiable.” His voice was firm. “But the timing is

contract covered everything from public appearances to social media posts. There were clauses

said, flipping

leave anything to

mind racing. “And if I sign this,

leave

deep breath. “The estate… will your family be living there

lips quirked. “Curious about

if I’ll have in-laws watching

My parents have their

trying to imagine the size of the estate. The penthouse had been impressive

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