The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 153

Chapter 153

Olivia

55 vouchers

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

…

face. “He

were

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

correct.”

happened?” The question slipped out before I could

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

to find I’d been sitting here longer

James stood as I gathered my things. “It was nice talking with you, Olivia. Properly

slinging my bag over my shoulder. “It was nice. But just so you know, you’re still a stranger

After three meetings and a

make us friends, Mr. Westbrook,” I

“James,” he corrected automatically.

I conceded with a small smile.

between the tables

over my shoulder. He stood with one hand in his pocket, the other holding his coffee cup, looking surprisingly earnest. “For what it’s worth, Andrew Thompson is lucky to have you handling his

I said, genuinely touched by

too,” he added, his

in my chest but kept my

Boulevard, headlights creating rivers of light in both directions. I tugged my jacket closer, James Westbrook’s words still echoing in my

8:23 Wed, Sep 17

Chapter 153

is lucky too. In more ways

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mean by that? I shook my head, trying to dismiss the strange encounter as I walked to my car. The last thing I needed was to overthink a brief coffee conversation

most employees having left for the day. I gathered my laptop

Dylan poked.his head into

things for tomorrow.

up a stack of reports. “Finishing the competitor analysis for

the folder from him.

the elevator together, chatting 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

good night, Mrs. Carter,” Dylan called as we reached the

too, Dylan. See

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