The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 153

Chapter 153

Olivia

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A comfortable silence settled between us as James sipped his coffee. The café had begun to empty a bit, the after–work crowd thinning as evening deepened.

“You know,” he said suddenly, “you didn’t even acknowledge me at the Children’s Hospital gala.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the change in topic. “I’m sorry?”

“At the gala,” he repeated, his tone light but his eyes curious. “You looked right through me like we’d never met. And we’ve met twice before that night.”

I felt heat creep into my cheeks. “I didn’t realize you were expecting a greeting.”

“Not expecting,” he clarified. “Just surprised. Most people in this town go out of their way to remind me we’ve met, even if it was just passing in a hallway five years ago.”

“Well, I’m not most people.”

“Clearly,” he agreed. “But you stared at me like I was a complete stranger. It was… refreshing, actually.”

“I stared at you because you were having a seven–hundred–thousand–dollar bidding war with my husband,” I pointed out, unable to keep the amusement from my voice. “That tends to attract attention.”

James laughed. “Fair point. Though to be clear, he started it.”

“And you finished it,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Quite emphatically.”

“The sketch was worth it,” he said with a careless shrug that reminded me of Alexander. “And the charity got a generous donation. Everyone wins.”

“Everyone except Alexander,” I couldn’t resist pointing out.

James’s smile turned slightly predatory. “Sometimes Alexander needs to be reminded he can’t always get what he wants.”

Something in his tone made me straighten in my chair. There was history there, something beyond business rivalry.

“Because you were friends once?” I asked, recalling Alexander’s brief explanation.

8:23 Wed, Sep 17

Chapter 153

…

flashed across James’s face.

you were close

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thoughtful. “That’s

correct.”

happened?” The question slipped out before

story.” He glanced at his watch. “But

watch, surprised to find I’d been sitting here longer than intended.

things. “It was nice talking with you, Olivia. Properly

nice. But

up. “A stranger? After three meetings and a coffee

doesn’t make us friends, Mr. Westbrook,” I replied,

“James,” he corrected automatically.

with a

turned to leave, weaving between the tables toward the

his coffee cup, looking surprisingly earnest. “For what it’s worth, Andrew Thompson is lucky to have you handling his account. Not many people understand what he’s trying

said, genuinely touched by

lucky too,” he added, his expression unreadable.

felt a strange flutter in my chest but kept

Boulevard, headlights creating rivers of light in both directions. I tugged my jacket closer,

8:23 Wed, Sep 17

Chapter 153

is lucky too. In more ways

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I walked to my

quick, with evening traffic flowing smoothly. The building was quieter now, most employees having left for the day. I gathered my laptop and the Thompson proposal notes, mentally planning my strategy for

Carter?” Dylan poked.his

few things for tomorrow. What’s

the competitor analysis for Thompson. Wanted to have

him. “But

As the doors closed, I couldn’t help but feel a

good night, Mrs. Carter,” Dylan called as

Dylan.

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