The CEO's Contractual Wife

When the song ended, Alexander led me back toward our table, but we were intercepted by a distinguished–looking woman with silver hair.

“Dr. Porter,” Alexander greeted her warmly. “I’d like you to meet my wife, Olivia. Olivia, this is Dr. Emily Porter, head of the Children’s Hospital Foundation.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said, shaking her hand.

“The pleasure is mine,” Dr. Porter replied. “Alexander has been one of our most generous supporters. The Carter Wing has helped thousands of children.”

“The Carter Wing?” I looked at Alexander questioningly.

Dr. Porter seemed surprised. “The pediatric research center. Alexander funded it three years ago. Surely he told you?”

Alexander looked almost embarrassed. “It never came up.”

“Well, he’s too modest,” Dr. Porter continued. “The center focuses on rare childhood diseases, many of which were considered untreatable before our

research.”

I felt a surge of admiration for Alexander. “That’s incredible work.”

“We couldn’t do it without supporters like your husband,” Dr. Porter said. “Perhaps you’d like to tour the facility sometime? See the impact firsthand?”

“I’d love that,” I replied honestly.

After Dr. Porter moved on to greet other guests, I turned to Alexander. “You never mentioned funding a pediatric research center.”

He shrugged, looking uncomfortable with the praise. “It was a good investment.”

“In children?”

“In the future,” he corrected. “Those kids deserve a chance.”

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I stood there looking at Alexander, his words echoing in my head. The simple statement that kids deserved a chance revealed a side of him I’d never expected. Not from the ruthless CEO who commanded boardrooms and made million- dollar decisions without blinking.

“What?” Alexander asked, noticing my expression.

“Nothing.” I shook my head slightly. “It’s just not what I expected you to say.”

“What did you expect? That I funded a children’s hospital for the tax

“Well… maybe?”

benefits. But

asked, genuinely curious about this unexpected

those dealing with rare diseases that don’t get much research funding. Most pharmaceutical companies focus on more common conditions because they offer better profit

surprisingly altruistic

“Don’t sound so shocked. I’m not always the heartless CEO the business

the master of ceremonies tapped on the microphone, drawing everyone’s attention to the

seats. We’re about to begin the auction portion of our

small of my back. Harold was already engaged in conversation with another elderly gentleman, while Victoria examined the

eye?” Alexander asked, glancing at the catalog in front

pages. “Maybe

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Chapter 142

wine tasting.”

:

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anytime,” he said dismissively. “Look at the artwork section. There’s an

champagne when I saw the estimated value. “Two hundred

that tends to

podium. “Good evening, esteemed guests. Tonight, we have an extraordinary collection of items to auction, with all proceeds

dinner with a celebrity chef. I watched with fascination as people casually bid thousands of dollars with a

Mediterranean cruise aboard the Silver Seas yacht. This exclusive experience includes a private chef, full crew, and stops

back, content to watch the wealthy

thousand,” called a

man near

bidding escalated rapidly, finally settling at forty–five thousand dollars. The auctioneer’s gavel came down with a satisfying thud, and polite applause

across the table. “That yacht rents for fifteen thousand a

look as shocked

Alan Marceau, followed by dinner for six at his restaurant, Table. Bidding

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Chapter 142

:

Alexander called,

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with Alexander eventually winning at twenty–five

this mean I get

to be my sous chef,” he replied with a wink. “And then sit

for an eye–watering amount to Charles