The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 155

Olivia

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I was several chapters into my novel when Alexander returned, his tie loosened and sleeves rolled He looked tired but satisfied, like he’d accomplished what he needed to.

1. up.

“Finished?” I asked, marking my place in the book.

“For now,” he nodded, loosening his tie further before pulling it off entirely. He draped it over the arm of the nearby chair and unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt with a relieved sigh. “What are you reading? Must be captivating. You didn’t even notice when I walked in.”

I glanced down at the book in my hands, suddenly aware of the steamy cover I’d been trying to hide all evening. “Oh, this? Just something Emilia recommended.” I attempted to casually close the book, but Alexander was too quick.

He plucked it from my hands, examining the cover with a raised eyebrow. A shirtless man with impossibly defined abs embraced a woman in a flowing dress, their faces mere inches apart in what was clearly a moment of passion.

“Bound by Contract‘?” Alexander read aloud, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Doesn’t exactly look like your usual reading material.”

I felt heat creep into my cheeks. “It’s just a mindless romance. After the Thompson presentation prep all day, I needed something that didn’t require brain cells.”

“And this delivers?” He flipped the book over, scanning the back cover description. His lips quirked into a smile. “Interesting choice. A business arrangement turned steamy affair?”

“It’s not what you think,” I protested, reaching for the book. Alexander held it just out of reach, his smile widening.

“I’m not judging. Just curious about the plot.” He settled into the chair across from me, looking far too comfortable. “What’s it about? Give me the highlights.”

I sighed, knowing he wouldn’t let this go. “It’s about a CEO who needs to get married quickly to inherit his family company.”

Alexander’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that so? Sounds vaguely familiar.”

“Pure coincidence,” I said quickly. “Emilia gave it to me weeks ago. I just hadn’t gotten around to reading it until now.”

“And what happens in this familiar–sounding story?” he pressed, leaning forward with genuine

interest.

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my legs underneath me, trying to appear casual despite my embarrassment. “The main character, Lorenzo, has to

is,” Alexander nodded solemnly, but I could see the corners of his mouth twitching. “And let me

contract marriage, offering her

stepmother? This has everything,” Alexander chuckled. “So she

She needs the money, and he needs a wife. It’s a

tone was skeptical as he tapped the steamy

cheeks warm again. “Well, things

voice dropped lower. “How

I admitted.

“And?”

“And what?”

blushing, Olivia. Clearly something interesting

my seat. “They’re starting to develop feelings

murmured. “Any other

exactly what he was asking. “If you’re wondering about the physical aspects of their arrangement, yes, they’ve crossed that

said with mock surprise. “A contract marriage

trashy romance novel,” I said defensively. “The plot isn’t exactly

settled deeper into his chair, looking genuinely curious.

sharing the plot. “Lily has been friends with Lorenzo

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owns half of Chicago, while she’s been struggling to save money for her own interior

serious despite the obvious amusement

eyes.

the family company, he immediately thinks of Lily. He offers her

contract, but things took an unexpected turn when Lily got pregnant right before the wedding,” I explained, keeping my eyes on the book cover. “They hadn’t planned