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

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

he asked as we found a quiet

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

“And knowing

at it. Everyone

love what I represent: money, power, connections.” His voice held a hint

the fading light.

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

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Chapter 56

“It’s not?”

you’ve been dealing with. Your father’s health, work stress, our arrangement… I

his thoughtfulness. “That’s… thank

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

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

laughed. “I’ll rescue you if he starts

out to be surprisingly funny, and the food was exquisite, with five

dinner came speeches about ocean

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

A weekend for two at the exclusive Carter Mountain Lodge in Aspen, including

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

the auctioneer finally declared. “For three hundred

applauded as an elegant older woman stood to acknowledge

a

replied. “And Eloise can afford it.

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