The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Alexander’s expression softened slightly. “It’s a business decision, Olivia. One that solves problems for both of us.”

I thought about my father, about the surgery he needed. About my brothers struggling with their own financial bur- dens. One signature would change everything.

But what about me? What would my life look like after this? A year of pretending to be in love with Alexander Carter, then what? Would I be able to date normally again? Would anyone believe I hadn’t married him for his mon- cy?

“What if people think I’m just a gold digger?”

“People will think whatever they want, regardless,” he replied pragmatically. “But the narrative we create will be carefully managed.”

I took a deep breath and picked up the pen. The weight of it felt significant in my hand, like I was holding my future.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I muttered, pressing the pen to paper.

“You’re making the right choice,” Alexander said, watching as I signed my name with a flourish.

As I set the pen down, a strange mix of relief and panic washed over me. What had I just agreed to?

Alexander took the contract, his fingers brushing mine in the process. The brief contact sent a jolt of electricity up my arm that I tried to ignore.

“No one knows about this arrangement,” he said, carefully tucking the contract into a leather portfolio. “Only my lawyer. Not even my secretary is aware.”

“So this is our dirty little secret?” I asked, trying to sound casual despite the racing of my heart.

His eyes darkened. “For now. Soon enough, the world will know we’re together. Just not the terms.”

Alexander moved to his desk and unlocked a drawer with a small key from his pocket. He pulled out his laptop and opened it, fingers flying across the keyboard.

“I’ll need your bank account information,” he said without looking up.

“Excuse me?”

“For the transfer. The three hundred thousand.”

Right.” I rattled off

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checking?”

my

paused briefly, judgment flickering across his face before he resumed

accounts for you later. Multiple accounts.

“I don’t need-”

room for argument. “Three hundred thousand is just the beginning.

of course. I’d never had more than a few

with a flourish.

pulled out my phone with trembling fingers and opened my banking app. The page loaded,

$300,000.00

at me, surreal and life-changing. More money than

“Thank you,” I whispered.

helping you. This

words stung more than they should have. “Right. Of

practiced ease. “We need to go on a date.

I blinked, caught off

off the paparazzi,” he continued, cutting me off. “You’ll be all over the tabloids tomorrow, but don’t wor- ry, your face won’t be clear. Just enough to

fell open.

desk toward me. “Creates intrigue. Builds

up, suddenly feeling like prey being circled.

over me, assessing. “You’ll need

“Excuse me?”

like that, everyone will think I’m not treating my girlfriend properly.” His tone was matter-of-fact,

the navy pencil skirt and cream blouse I’d carefully selected this morning.

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Chapter 24

wrong with my outfit?”

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