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?”

at

a staircase to the upper deck. Here, the crowd was thinner, with small groups gathered around high tables or leaning against

asked as we found a quiet spot

sighed, taking a deep breath of the cool ocean air. “How do you do this all the time? The small talk, the networking,

shrugged. “And knowing it’s necessary

you’re good at it.

money, power, connections.” His voice

his profile in the fading light.

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

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Chapter 56

“It’s not?”

face me. “Tonight is about giving you a break from everything you’ve been dealing with. Your father’s health, work stress, our arrangement… I

by his thoughtfulness. “That’s… thank you.”

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

I groaned. “Can’t wait to hear about investment strategies over

you if he starts discussing his

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 casual

came speeches about ocean conservation,

of thousands of dollars for items like private island

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

at fifty thousand dollars and quickly escalated. Alexander sat back, watching with

finally declared. “For three hundred

as an elegant older woman

a weekend

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

band took the stage, and couples began moving to the