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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already in talks with you, I thought it fair

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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

I said smoothly, taking a seat at the

chair directly across from me.

“Indeed.”

the head of the table. “Let’s begin, shall we? Both of you have submitted preliminary offers.

nodded to Jessica, who distributed folders to

table.

valuation,” I began, getting straight to the point. “We’ll maintain all current staff

Edwin nodded, making notes.

Carter Enterprises equivalent to two percent of the

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advisory board for you, Edwin, should you wish

Edwin murmured, looking over

Financial is prepared to match

bluffing; Westbrook couldn’t afford to match my

offering to maintain the Meridian name as a subsidiary brand, preserving the legacy you’ve built, Edwin. And rather than just eighteen months of job security, we guarantee five years for all

Edwin’s eyebrows rose slightly.

Jacob Meridian said,

something special here. We want to build upon that foundation,

James was playing the emotional angle, the family legacy card. It was clever, especially knowing how attached

may,” I interjected, “Carter Enterprises has a proven

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our broader vision. The Donovan

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was hardly a family business,” James pointed out. “It was already a

it.”

remain the same. We

details of their offers and answering questions from the Meridian family. Throughout, James maintained his confident demeanor, occasionally throwing glances my

brief break, James approached

into you here,” he said, pouring himself

selecting a water bottle. “Somehow

chuckled. “Always suspicious, Alexander. But then, that’s

interest in Meridian?” I asked directly. “This isn’t your

“Real estate is a solid

are easier properties to acquire

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Chapter 134

Alexander

at the elevator, heading toward my office. Just before the

100

with another employee. The pencil skirt hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her shapely

was magnificent, not just physically

her intelligence and poise. Even from this distance, I could see how she captivated her audience, gesturing animatedly

making quite an impression at Carter Enterprises, not just because

waiting,

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

two.”

my watch.

called personally to request the change. Something about another

party?”

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Sep

Chapter 134

55 vouchers

me a folder. “I’ve prepared the latest reports on Meridian’s holdings and market position. The legal team sent over the revised

scanning the numbers. Meridian Properties owned prime real estate throughout downtown Los Angeles, exactly the locations I needed for

in thirty minutes,” I said, taking a sip of coffee. “And tell Wilson to meet us there with

“Already done, sir.”

with succession planning. The aging founder wanted to retire, and his

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

extending his hand. “Thank you for accommodating the

hand firmly. “I understand there’s been a

discuss that in the boardroom. Your legal counsel has

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Meridian Empire built over forty years. My legal advisor, Wilson, joined

nodded. “I have the paperwork

“Excellent.”

downtown Los Angeles. Several people were already seated around the massive oak

Edwin said, gesturing to a middle–aged man who

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