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?”

relieved at

upper deck. Here, the crowd

found a quiet spot near

breath of the cool ocean air. “How do you do this all

shrugged. “And knowing it’s necessary for

at it. Everyone loves

voice held a

studied his profile in the fading light.

be,” he admitted, surprising me with his candor. “That’s why tonight isn’t about

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Chapter 56

“It’s not?”

you a break from everything you’ve been dealing with. Your

blinked, touched by his

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

wait to hear about investment strategies over

“I’ll rescue 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

came speeches about ocean conservation, followed by a

amazement as the wealthy attendees bid hundreds of thousands of dollars for items like private island getaways and dinner with

Carter Enterprises. A weekend for two at the exclusive Carter Mountain Lodge in Aspen, including private jet transportation, a personal chef, and ski instruction

and quickly escalated. Alexander sat back, watching with amusement as two bidders drove the price

the auctioneer finally declared. “For three hundred and

as an elegant older

lot of money for a weekend in Aspen,” I whispered to

cause,” he replied. “And Eloise can afford it. Her late husband

a band took the stage, and couples began moving to