Chapter 146

Alexander

Harold wheeled himself over to our group. “What are we discussing so seriously over here?”

“Valentina’s absence,” Julia explained. “She’s at a friend’s birthday party.”

“Good for her,” Harold declared, surprising us all. “The girl works too hard. Needs to live a little.”

“That’s rich coming from you,” I said with a laugh. “Mr. Work–Is–Everything himself.”

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Harold’s eyes twinkled. “I’ve learned a few things in my old age. One of them is that all work and no play makes for a dull life and even duller company.” He looked pointedly at me. “Something you might remember yourself, Alexander.”

Olivia bit back a smile.

“I believe I’m balancing things better these days,” I replied.

“Yes, marriage seems to agree with you,” Harold observed, his shrewd eyes missing nothing. “You look happier than I’ve seen you in years.”

I glanced down at Olivia, who was fighting a smile at my grandfather’s comment. “It does,” I agreed, surprising myself with how genuine the words felt. “Olivia has been… a revelation.”

“A revelation?” Olivia raised an eyebrow. “That’s quite the compliment, Mr. Carter.”

“Just stating facts, Mrs. Carter.” I squeezed her hand gently.

Harold watched our exchange with open curiosity. “Well, whatever she’s doing, tell her to keep it up. You’re less of a grumpy bastard these days.”

“Grandfather!” I tried to sound scandalized, but couldn’t help laughing.

“What? It’s true. You used to walk around with a face like you’d been sucking lemons.” He turned to Olivia. “Before you came along, we were taking bets on whether he’d ever smile again.”

“I wasn’t that bad,” I protested.

“You absolutely were,” my mother chimed in. “All work and no play. It was exhausting just watching you.”

laughed. “I had no idea I was performing such a

said, patting Olivia’s hand. “You’ve done the entire family a favor by making him

was always human,” I

shot back. “There were times I wondered if we should check for

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Chapter 146

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their humor. There was something different about tonight, a lightness I hadn’t felt at family

“when

champagne while Olivia’s

recovering. “Give

I don’t have in abundance,” he replied. “And I’d like to meet my great–grandchildren before I

scolded. “They’ll have children when

I

children yet,” she said diplomatically. “But when we do, you’ll be the

know.”

long.” He winked at me.

11

up. “I’m sure Alexander is in no rush to share Olivia’s attention. He’s always been

Olivia stiffen beside

said, keeping my tone light despite the anger flaring inside me.

into a cold smile.

my father interjected. “This is a charity event, not a

conversation,” Victoria replied

interjected, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Perhaps we should change the subject to

the slight narrowing of her eyes. She

future plans.” She turned to Olivia with manufactured sweetness. “No

protectively on Olivia’s back. “We should get going. It’s been

soon?” Grandfather looked disappointed.

have an early meeting tomorrow,” I explained, which wasn’t

Sep

Chapter 146

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