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

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

destroy the company. I want to run it.” I sighed dramatically. “Just

confused. “Alexander beat you to the punch.

set my wine glass down with more force than

you

to

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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? It’s obviously his plan

sighed. “You’re overthinking this. Maybe they were dating secretly. Maybe he fell in love quickly. People do

never been in love with anyone but himself

if it’s not?” Thomas countered. “What if they’re actually in love? Did you see them at the wedding? They looked pretty convincing

acting. Thomas. Something Alexander excels at in boardrooms. He just applied those

“Maybe it’s time

demanded, my voice rising. “Because right now

hands in surrender. “I’m trying to help you not get admitted to a mental hospital

I laughed bitterly. “Between my cousin and his employee?

have happened,” Thomas shrugged. “Office romances are

picked up my wine again.

situation.”

do about

smiled thinly. “Only if they stay married for a year. That’s

think they’ll divorce before

little help, perhaps they will.” I took a long sip of my wine, savoring both the taste and my

looked at me with alarm. “Victoria, whatever

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

union.”

dangerously close

prefer to call it ‘strategic intervention,” I replied. “If their marriage is real, they have nothing to