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

were

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expression thoughtful. “That’s an oversimplification, but

correct.”

The question slipped out before I

different priorities. The usual story.” He glanced at his watch. “But that’s ancient history, and I’ve

sitting here

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

my shoulder. “It was nice. But just so

stranger? After three meetings and a coffee

one coffee doesn’t make us friends,

“James,” he corrected automatically.

with a small

leave, weaving between the tables toward the

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

genuinely touched by the

his expression

a strange flutter in my chest but kept my expression

skin as I stepped outside the cafe. Traffic moved steadily along Wilshire Boulevard, headlights

8:23 Wed, Sep 17

Chapter 153

lucky too. In more ways than

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did he 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 with

back to Carter Enterprises was 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 tomorrow’s team

Dylan poked.his head

grabbing a few things for tomorrow.

held up a stack of reports. “Finishing the competitor analysis for Thompson. Wanted to have it

him. “But don’t stay too late. We need you fresh in

the doors closed, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Two weeks into my new role, and I was already establishing a rhythm with

night, Mrs. Carter,” Dylan called as

too, Dylan. See you

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