The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 56

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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

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

he asked as we found a quiet

cool ocean air. “How do you do this all

“And knowing it’s necessary for

at it.

money, power, connections.” His voice held a hint of

studied his profile in the fading light. “That

me with his candor.

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Chapter 56

“It’s not?”

about giving you a break from everything you’ve been dealing with. Your father’s health, work stress, our arrangement… I thought you could use a

by his thoughtfulness. “That’s… thank

in twenty minutes, and you’ll be seated next to California’s

to hear about investment

rescue you if he

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 my knee under the table, a

came speeches about ocean

attendees bid hundreds of thousands of dollars

auctioneer announced, “a special item donated by Carter Enterprises. A weekend for two at the exclusive Carter Mountain Lodge in Aspen, including private jet transportation, a

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

auctioneer finally declared. “For three hundred and seventy–five thousand

older woman

for a weekend

replied. “And Eloise can afford it. Her late husband

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