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?”

said, relieved at

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

found

“How do you do this all the time? The

he shrugged. “And knowing it’s necessary for

good at

power, connections.” His voice held a hint of cynicism. “It’s

the fading

can be,” he admitted, surprising me with his candor. “That’s why tonight

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Chapter 56

“It’s not?”

from everything you’ve been dealing with. Your father’s health,

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

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

hear about investment

if he starts

the food was exquisite, with five courses of gourmet cuisine paired with fine wines. Alexander kept his

ocean conservation, followed by

as the wealthy attendees bid hundreds of thousands of

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

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

“For three hundred and seventy–five thousand

as an elegant older woman stood to

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

“And Eloise can afford it. Her late

stage,