The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 115

Olivia

I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile at Emilia’s persistence. “Maybe he fell for me and can’t believe I’m married now. His loss.”

“Oh, please,” Emilia snorted into her wine glass. “That man wasn’t shocked you’re married. He was shocked that you married Alexander Carter. There’s a difference.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means,” she leaned forward conspiratorially, “that James Westbrook has probably been researching you since the moment he met you. Men like that don’t approach women randomly in bars. He knew exactly who you were, who you worked for, and now he can’t believe you landed the biggest fish in the ocean before he could make his move.”

I considered this, swirling the last of my wine. “You think he was interested in me because I work for Alexander?”

“I think he was interested in you because you’re gorgeous and smart, but the Carter connection probably didn’t hurt.” Emilia shrugged. “Financial guys are always looking for an edge over the competition. Dating someone from inside Carter Enterprises would’ve been a gold mine for information.”

“That’s cynical even for you.”

“That’s realistic. LA is full of people using other people to climb ladders.” She drained her glass. “Which is why I’m glad you’re with Alexander instead. At least you know what you’re getting with him.”

If only she knew how right she was. Our arrangement was nothing if not transparent, unlike whatever game James Westbrook might have been playing.

“His loss,” I repeated, more firmly this time.

“Damn straight.” Emilia grinned. “And Alexander’s gain. Even if he doesn’t fully appreciate what he’s got yet.”

“What makes you think he doesn’t appreciate me?” I asked, a bit defensively.

“Oh, he appreciates you, alright.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “I saw how he looked at you. But men like Alexander Carter take a while to realize when they’ve got something real versus something convenient.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “You don’t know him like I do.”

“Obviously.” She laughed. “I haven’t seen him naked.”

“Em!”

“What? Am I wrong?“.

felt my cheeks flush. “We should

Smooth.” She checked her phone. “But you’re

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Chapter 115

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bill and stepped outside into the cool night air. The street was busy with late–night

a cab?”

in the opposite direction from Alexander’s.

yellow cab pulled up to the curb. Emilia gave

she called as she slid into the backseat. “Men

got!”

as her cab pulled away, then turned to flag down another

the driver and headed inside. The doorman nodded respectfully as I

foreign on my tongue,

the penthouse in seconds. I stepped out into the foyer,

my

kitchen, dressed in sweatpants and a t–shirt, looking surprisingly domestic. “There you are. I was wondering where you’d

a note,” I said, slipping off my shoes. “Didn’t you

leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “But that was three hours ago. I expected you

explained, making my way to the kitchen. “I didn’t realize how late it

followed me. “You should have rested.

who’s clearly been up working,” I nodded toward his laptop open

“Touché. But I wasn’t the one

for a bottle of water. “The