The CEO's Contractual Wife

Victoria

Rain tapped against the floor–to–ceiling windows of my penthouse as I swirled the dark red wine in my glass. The city lights blurred through the droplets, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that matched my turbulent thoughts.

I took another sip, savoring the rich cabernet. At least I could count on this thousand–dollar bottle to deliver satisfaction, unlike my current schemes.

Behind me, the balcony door slid open. Thomas stepped out, the cool night air following him as he closed the door. He was still in his work clothes, though he’d loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar.

“Drinking alone again?” he asked, settling into the chair beside me.

I didn’t look at him. “There’s another glass inside if you want to join me.”

Thomas disappeared briefly, returning with a full glass. He sat down and crossed his legs, looking annoyingly relaxed for someone whose wife was plotting a corporate takeover.

“What’s got you thinking so hard?” he asked after a lengthy silence. “You’ve barely touched your phone all evening, which means either you’re plotting something or the world is ending.”

I shot him a sideways glance. “Carter Enterprises.”

“Ah.” He nodded knowingly. “Still obsessing over your cousin’s new marriage?”

“I’m not obsessing,” I snapped. “I’m strategizing.”

Thomas took a slow sip of his wine. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

The rain picked up, creating a soothing white noise that contrasted with my irritation.

‘You don’t understand what’s at stake,” I said. “The controlling shares of a multi–billion dollar company. My birthright.”

“Your birthright?” Thomas raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure Alexander is Harold’s firstborn grandson, not you.”

‘Gender shouldn’t matter in succession,” I retorted. “I’m smarter, more qualified, and actually committed to the company’s legacy.”

Thomas leaned back in his chair. “So what’s the plan? Are you planning to destroy Carter Enterprises if you can’t have it?”

his arm, harder than I meant to. “I’m being serious here, and you’re

rubbed his arm, looking wounded. “Destroying might be true. I

want to destroy the company. I want to run it.” I

“Alexander beat you to the punch.

than necessary. “They’re

you

warming to my theory. “Until Grandfather

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some nobody from marketing? They appear all over social media, and now they’re married? It’s obviously his plan to secure the

“You’re overthinking this. Maybe they were dating secretly. Maybe

I insisted. “He’s never been in love with anyone but himself and that company. This

it’s not?” Thomas countered. “What if they’re actually in love? Did you see them at

at in boardrooms. He just applied those skills

he said, taking another sip of wine. “Maybe it’s time to accept

you supporting me or trying to drag me down?” I demanded, my voice rising. “Because right now it feels

not get admitted to a mental hospital with all this overthinking. You’re seeing conspiracies

“Between my cousin and

have happened,” Thomas

too calculating.” I picked up my wine again. “There’s something off

situation.”

said, “what can you do about

married for a year. That’s the stipulation

you think they’ll

long sip of my wine, savoring both the taste and my

with alarm. “Victoria, whatever you’re

“I’m not going to do anything illegal.

union.”

dangerously close to

I replied. “If their marriage is real, they