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

me, dear,” my mother said, patting Olivia’s hand. “You’ve done the entire family a favor by making

always

times I wondered if we should

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Chapter 146

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of their humor. There was something different about tonight, a lightness I

family,” Harold continued, turning his attention back to Olivia, “when can we expect some great- grandchildren? I’m not getting

champagne while Olivia’s

I said, recovering. “Give us

replied. “And I’d like to

“They’ll have children when they’re

the table, and I could

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

know.”

being newlyweds first. Though not for too long.” He winked at me. “Carter men are notorious for dragging their feet on

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in no rush to share Olivia’s attention. He’s always been rather possessive of his…

beside me at Victoria’s

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

lips curving into a cold

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

replied

that way,” my mother interjected, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Perhaps

narrowing of her eyes. She never did handle being called out well, especially by my

future plans.” She turned to Olivia with manufactured sweetness.

placed my hand protectively on Olivia’s back. “We should get going.

soon?” Grandfather looked disappointed. “The night

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

Thu, Sep

Chapter 146

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