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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Chapter 155

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embarrassment. “The main character, Lorenzo, has to marry within one year to secure his

see the corners of his mouth twitching. “And let me guess, he finds

proposes a contract marriage, offering her enough money to

has everything,” Alexander chuckled. “So she agrees to this

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

he tapped the

my cheeks warm again.

dropped lower. “How far have you

halfway,” I admitted. “They’ve just gotten

“And?”

“And what?”

something interesting has happened

my seat. “They’re starting to develop feelings for each other. Despite

murmured. “Any other

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

shocked,” he said with mock surprise. “A contract marriage turning physical? Who could

romance novel,” I said defensively. “The plot

into his chair, looking genuinely

to sharing the plot. “Lily has

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Chapter 155

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comes from this wealthy dynasty that owns half of Chicago, while she’s been struggling to save money for her own interior design business. Her

his expression serious despite the obvious amusement

eyes.

he must marry within one year to keep control of the family company, he immediately thinks of Lily. He offers her three

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 it, but they used the pregnancy as justification to speed up the marriage plans. Lorenzo’s family was