The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 56

021

Olivia

The yacht was even more impressive inside, with gleaming wood paneling, crystal chandeliers, and floor–to–ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the harbor. Dozens of guests in formal attire mingled, champagne flutes in hand.

“Drink?” Alexander asked, snagging two glasses from a passing server.

“Please,” I said, accepting the champagne gratefully. “I think I need it.”

“Relax,” he murmured, his lips close to my ear. “You look like you’re facing a firing squad.”

“I feel like I am. Everyone’s staring.”

“They’re staring because you’re stunning.” His eyes met mine, intense and sincere. “And because they’re wondering how I got so lucky.”

Before I could respond, a tall man with silver hair approached, clapping Alexander on the shoulder.

“Carter! Good to see you, my boy. It’s been too long.”

“Senator Williams,” Alexander shook his hand. “Allow me to introduce Olivia Morgan. Olivia, this is Senator James Williams.”

I shook the Senator’s hand, trying not to look as intimidated as I felt. “It’s an honor to meet you, Senator.”

“The pleasure is mine, my dear. I was just telling my wife that Alexander here seems to have finally found himself a keeper.” He winked at me. “Don’t let this one get away, Carter. She’s far too pretty for you.”

Alexander laughed. “I’m well aware, Senator.”

After the Senator moved on, we were approached by a steady stream of guests: CEOs, celebrities, and politicians, all seeming eager to meet Alexander’s new girlfriend. I smiled until my cheeks hurt, trying to remember names and connections.

“You’re doing great,” Alexander whispered during a brief lull. “Ready to see the rest of the yacht?”

yes,” I said, relieved at the prospect

me through a door and up a staircase to the upper deck. Here, the crowd was thinner, with small groups gathered around

he asked as we found a quiet

do you do this all the time? The small talk, the networking, the

shrugged. “And knowing it’s necessary

good at

I represent: money, power, connections.” His voice held a hint of cynicism. “It’s rarely about

the fading

surprising me with his candor. “That’s why

1/3

23

Chapter 56

“It’s not?”

everything you’ve been dealing with. Your father’s health, work stress, our

touched by his

me yet,” he said, checking his watch. “The formal dinner starts in twenty minutes, and you’ll be seated next to California’s most

wait to hear about investment strategies over

you if he starts discussing his

dinner was actually less tedious than I’d expected. The hedge fund manager turned out to be surprisingly funny, and the food was exquisite, with five courses of gourmet cuisine paired with fine wines. Alexander kept his hand on

came speeches about ocean conservation, followed

bid hundreds of thousands of dollars for items like private island getaways and

item donated by Carter Enterprises. A weekend for two at the exclusive Carter Mountain Lodge

sat back, watching with amusement as two bidders drove the price higher and

hundred and seventy–five thousand dollars to

crowd applauded as an elegant older woman stood to acknowledge her

money for a weekend in Aspen,” I whispered

for a good cause,” he replied. “And Eloise can afford it. Her late husband left her

the auction concluded, a band took the stage, and couples began moving to the dance