The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 134

Alexander

I parted from Olivia at the elevator, heading toward my office. Just before the doors closed, I turned back for one final look.

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Olivia stood tall, confidence radiating from her posture as she spoke with another employee. The pencil skirt hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her shapely legs and the gentle swell of her hips. The matching blazer highlighted her trim waist before flaring subtly over her breasts.

She was magnificent, not just physically attractive but

commanding attention with her intelligence and poise. Even from this distance, I could see how she captivated her audience, gesturing animatedly as she spoke.

My wife was making quite an impression at Carter Enterprises, not just because of her connection to me.

When I reached my office, Jessica was already waiting, tablet in hand and coffee on my desk.

“Good morning, Mr. Carter,” she greeted, professional as always. “Your schedule is updated on your tablet. The acquisition meeting at Meridian Properties has been moved up to eleven instead of

two.”

I frowned, checking my watch. “That’s in ninety minutes.”

“Yes, sir. Their CEO called personally to request the change. Something about another interested party.”

“Another interested party?” I repeated. “Who?”

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“They didn’t specify,” Jessica replied, handing me a folder. “I’ve prepared the latest reports on Meridian’s holdings and market position. The legal team sent over the revised offer this morning.”

I flipped through the documents, scanning the numbers. Meridian Properties owned prime real estate throughout downtown Los Angeles, exactly the locations I needed for Carter Enterprises‘ expansion into retail space.

“Get the car ready in thirty minutes,” I said, taking a sip of coffee. “And tell Wilson to meet us there with the final paperwork.”

“Already done, sir.”

I sat at my desk, immersing myself in preparation for the meeting. Meridian was a family–owned business with a solid portfolio but struggling with succession planning. The aging founder wanted to retire, and his children had little interest in real estate. It was the perfect acquisition target.

Ninety minutes later, Jessica and I walked through the gleaming lobby of Meridian Properties. The receptionist directed us to the fourteenth floor, where the meeting would take place in their boardroom.

“Mr. Carter,” Edwin Meridian greeted me, extending his hand. “Thank you for accommodating the schedule change.”

“Not a problem,” I replied, shaking his hand firmly. “I understand there’s been a development?”

Edwin’s expression tightened. “Yes, well, let’s discuss that in the boardroom. Your legal counsel has arrived as well.”

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We followed him down a hallway lined with photographs of various buildings, the Meridian Empire built over forty years. My legal advisor, Wilson, joined us at the boardroom door.

“Mr. Carter,” he nodded. “I have the paperwork ready.”

“Excellent.”

The boardroom was spacious, with floor–to–ceiling windows overlooking downtown Los Angeles. Several people were already seated around the massive oak table.

“You know my son Jacob,” Edwin said, gesturing to a middle–aged man who nodded curtly. “And my daughter Elaine.”

“Of course,” I smiled at both of them. “Good to see you again.”

་་

“And this is-” Edwin began, but was interrupted by the

boardroom door opening behind us.

“Sorry, I’m late,” came a familiar voice. “Traffic was a nightmare.”

I turned, keeping my expression neutral despite the surprise coursing through me.

“James,” I said evenly. “I wasn’t aware you’d be joining us.”

James Westbrook stood in the doorway, impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit that probably cost as much as mine. His trademark confident smile was firmly in place,

“Alexander,” he replied, matching my tone. “Surprise.”

Edwin cleared his throat. “As I was about to explain, Mr. Westbrook approached us last week with an interest in acquiring

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Since we were already in talks with you, I thought it fair to

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internally I was recalculating. James Westbrook. Of course. Westbrook Financial had been expanding their real estate holdings recently, though I hadn’t expected them

fair,” I said smoothly, taking a seat at the table. “I’m always up

a chair directly across from me. “Likewise. May

“Indeed.”

shall we? Both of you have submitted

Jessica, who distributed folders to everyone at

table.

acquire Meridian Properties at fifteen percent above market valuation,” I began, getting straight to the point. “We’ll maintain all current staff for a minimum of eighteen months during the transition, with generous severance packages for any

Edwin nodded, making notes.

I continued, “we’re offering stock options in Carter Enterprises equivalent to two percent of the purchase price,

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our advisory board for you, Edwin, should you wish

Edwin murmured, looking over

“Westbrook Financial is prepared to match the

couldn’t afford to match my

a subsidiary brand, preserving the legacy you’ve built, Edwin. And rather than

Edwin’s eyebrows rose slightly.

commitment,” Jacob Meridian said,

value Meridian’s expertise,” James replied smoothly. “Your team has built something special here. We

but inwardly I was reassessing. James was playing the emotional angle, the family legacy card. It was clever, especially knowing how

may,” I interjected, “Carter Enterprises has a proven track record of

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our broader vision. The

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a family business,” James pointed

it.”

“But the principles remain the same.

and answering questions from the Meridian family. Throughout, James

a brief break, James approached me at

coincidence, running into you here,” he said, pouring

it?” I replied, selecting a

then, that’s served you

real interest in Meridian?” I asked

estate is a solid investment

properties to acquire if you’re just

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Chapter 134

Alexander

parted from Olivia at the elevator, heading toward my office. Just before the doors closed, I turned

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confidence radiating from her posture as she spoke with another employee. The pencil skirt hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her shapely legs

not just physically

from this distance, I could see how she captivated

Carter Enterprises, not just because of her

was already waiting, tablet in hand and coffee on

as always. “Your schedule is updated on your tablet. The

two.”

checking my watch. “That’s in

personally to request the

interested party?” I repeated.

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replied, handing me a folder. “I’ve prepared the latest reports on Meridian’s holdings and market position. The

real estate throughout downtown Los Angeles, exactly the

the car ready in thirty minutes,” I said, taking a sip of coffee. “And tell Wilson to meet

“Already done, sir.”

solid portfolio but struggling with succession planning. The aging founder wanted

of Meridian Properties. The receptionist directed us to the fourteenth floor, where the meeting would take

greeted me, extending his

I replied, shaking his hand firmly.

expression tightened. “Yes, well, let’s discuss that in the boardroom. Your legal

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Empire

Carter,” he nodded. “I

“Excellent.”

downtown Los Angeles. Several people

Jacob,” Edwin said, gesturing to a middle–aged man who nodded curtly. “And my daughter

course,” I smiled at both of them. “Good