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

wounded. “Destroying might be true. I wasn’t

some credit! I don’t want to destroy the company. I want to run it.” I sighed

Thomas looked genuinely confused. “Alexander beat you to the punch. He

more force than necessary. “They’re

can you possibly know

about it,” I leaned forward, warming to my theory. “Until

1/3

what, a few weeks later, he’s madly in love with some nobody from marketing? They appear all over social media, and now they’re married?

this. Maybe they were dating secretly. Maybe he fell in love quickly. People do that, you

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

in love? Did you see them at the wedding?

excels at in boardrooms. He just

wine. “Maybe it’s time to accept that you’re not getting those shares

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

mental hospital with all this overthinking. You’re seeing conspiracies where there might just be a

bitterly. “Between my cousin

things have happened,” Thomas shrugged. “Office romances are

Alexander. He’s too careful, too calculating.” I picked up my wine again. “There’s something

situation.”

you do about it? They’re

thinly. “Only if they stay married for

they’ll

will.” I took a long sip of my

at me with alarm.

illegal. Just… apply a little pressure. Test the strength of

union.”

dangerously close

intervention,” I replied. “If their marriage