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

…

James’s face. “He told

you were

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slowly, his expression thoughtful. “That’s an oversimplification,

correct.”

The question slipped out before I could

story.” He glanced at his watch. “But that’s ancient history, and I’ve taken

my watch, surprised to find I’d been sitting here longer than intended. “I should get back to

course.” James stood as I gathered my things. “It was nice

smiled, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “It was nice. But just so you know,

stranger? After three meetings and a coffee

us friends,

“James,” he corrected automatically.

I conceded with a small smile.

leave, weaving between the tables

other holding his coffee cup, looking surprisingly earnest. “For what it’s

genuinely

Alexander is lucky too,” he added, his expression unreadable. “In

chest but kept my

I stepped outside the cafe. Traffic moved steadily along Wilshire Boulevard, headlights creating rivers of light in both directions. I tugged my jacket closer, James

8:23 Wed, Sep 17

Chapter 153

too. In more

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to dismiss the strange encounter as I walked to my car. The last thing I needed was to overthink a brief coffee conversation with my

was quick, with evening traffic flowing smoothly. The building was quieter now, most employees having left

Mrs. Carter?” Dylan poked.his head into my office,

a few things for

stack of reports. “Finishing the competitor analysis for Thompson. Wanted to

folder from him. “But don’t stay too

about tomorrow’s agenda. As the doors closed, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Two weeks into my new role, and I was already establishing

night, Mrs. Carter,” Dylan called as we

Dylan. See you

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