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

arm, looking wounded. “Destroying might be

hit him again. “Give me some credit! I don’t want to destroy the company. I want to run

exactly?” Thomas looked genuinely confused. “Alexander beat you to the punch. He got

down with more force than

you possibly know

to

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dating anyone seriously. Then suddenly, 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 to secure the controlling

Maybe he fell in love quickly. People

Alexander,” I insisted. “He’s never been in love with anyone

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

in boardrooms. He just applied those skills to his

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

me or trying to drag me down?” I demanded, my

to help you not get admitted to a mental hospital with all this overthinking. You’re seeing conspiracies where there might just be a simple love

bitterly. “Between my cousin and

happened,” Thomas

calculating.” I picked up

situation.”

you do about it? They’re legally married. The shares

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

they’ll

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

at me with alarm. “Victoria,

do anything illegal. Just… apply a little pressure.

union.”

dangerously

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