The CEO's Contractual Wife

“I need another drink,” I announced, draining the last of my wine. The warmth of the alcohol was helping me forget my problems, at least temporarily.

“Coming right up,” Emilia waved at the bartender. “Hey! Another round over here!”

Claire leaned forward, her words slightly slurred. “So what’s the plan for this weekend? Any fancy dates with Mr. CEO?”

I groaned. “I thought we agreed not to talk about Alexander.”

“No, you agreed,” Ariana corrected with a smirk. “We just nodded politely.”

“You guys are the worst friends ever,” I laughed, reaching for my newly arrived wine glass.

“The best,” Emilia corrected. “We’re the best friends ever because we care enough to be nosy about your love life.”

I was about to respond when a woman stumbled toward our table, drink sloshing in her hand. Before I could move, she crashed into me, her red cocktail splashing across my emerald top.

“Oh my god!” I gasped, jumping up as the cold liquid soaked through the silk.

n

“Oops,” the woman said, her voice carrying no trace of actual remorse. She was maybe twenty–eight or thirty, expensively dressed with perfectly highlighted hair. “So sorry about that.”

I grabbed a napkin and frantically dabbed at the growing stain. “It’s fine.” I said automatically, even as I watched the red liquid seep into the delicate fabric.

“Is it?” The woman’s eyes narrowed as she looked me up and down. “That’s a cute little top. Probably from what, H&M? Target?”

Emilia stood up beside me. “Excuse me, do we know you?”

The woman ignored her, focusing on me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. “You’re Olivia Morgan, right? Alexander Carter’s latest… acquisition.”

dropped. “I don’t

has been all over social media. Alexander’s

Emilia murmured, “do

still trying to salvage my top. “No, I’ve never seen her

cruel smile. “Of course you haven’t. Alexander doesn’t exactly encourage his toys to

stopped dabbing at

sweetie.” She patted my arm condescendingly. “Don’t take it personally. He does this with all of them. Wines and dines you, makes you feel special, then poof!”

don’t know who you

1/3

Chapter 68

reaching into her designer purse and pulling out a crisp hundred–dollar bill. She tossed it onto the

doubt it cost even that much. Forever 21 clearance rack?” She tilted her head, examining me. “Maybe H&M if you

rising to my face. “I don’t

shrugged. “God knows he’s spent enough on me over the

equally polished with a sleek blonde bob and

said, her voice dripping with disdain. “How much is he paying you to act

beside me. “Okay, that’s enough. You

said, finding my voice.

blonde raised a perfectly

it out. “I don’t need

first woman made no move to take it, so I crumpled it and tossed it at her feet.

the blonde said, stepping closer. “You have no idea who you’re dealing

“Enlighten me,” I challenged.

long ago. The fancy dinners, the designer clothes, the overnight stays

stomach dropped. How did