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.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking

face has been all over social media. Alexander’s mysterious new girlfriend.” She made air quotes around the word

“do

head, still trying to salvage my top. “No,

lips curled into a cruel smile. “Of course you haven’t. Alexander doesn’t exactly

stopped dabbing

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!”

know who you are,

1/3

Chapter 68

woman ignored her, reaching into her designer purse and pulling out a crisp hundred–dollar bill. She tossed it

doubt it cost even that much. Forever 21 clearance rack?” She tilted her

rising to my face.

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

woman appeared beside her, equally polished with a sleek blonde bob and calculating eyes. She looked me up and down

she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “How much is he paying you to act as his girlfriend? Must be a

stand beside me. “Okay,

my voice.

raised a perfectly

the hundred–dollar bill from the table and held it out. “I

take it, so I crumpled it and tossed it at her

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

“Enlighten me,” I challenged.

your position not too long ago. The fancy dinners, the

How did