The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 175

Chapter 175

Alexander

I stared at the financial reports on my desk, trying to focus. We’d signed several new clients this quarter, our stock was up thirteen percent, and the Thompson Hotels rebranding was going better than expected. All things that should have me in a great mood.

But my mind kept drifting to Olivia, specifically to Olivia and James Westbrook.

My phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts. Straightening in my chair, I reached for it.

“Alexander Carter speaking.”

“Mr. Carter, it’s Nathan Reeves from Hudson Development.” The man’s voice came through crisp and urgent. “I apologize for the short notice, but we need to move our meeting forward. We’ve just received another offer on the property.”

I checked my calendar. The meeting was scheduled for tomorrow.

“I see. How urgent is this?”

“Very. The other party is pressing for an immediate decision,” Nathan explained. “If you could come to our offices in the next hour, we’d greatly appreciate it.”

Running through my schedule mentally, I nodded to myself. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Wonderful! Thank you, Mr. Carter.”

I hung up and pressed the intercom. “Jessica, I need you in here.”

My office door opened seconds later. Jessica appeared, tablet already in hand. “Yes, Mr. Carter?”

has moved our meeting up. We need to leave now. Can you clear

“Already done.

my suit jacket. “You’re

played at her lips. “I’ve already emailed the latest property valuations to

“Perfect. Let’s go.”

the elevator, walking briskly through the main office area. As we passed the glass–walled conference

at something on the screen behind her. Even from this distance, I could see the passion in her movements, the way she commanded the room’s attention. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek

My steps slowed involuntarily.

animated with excitement as she spoke, engaging everyone around the table. One

just beautiful, but powerful in her element. Watching her work, seeing her intelligence and creativity

voice broke through

my gaze away

Hudson Development deal. I nodded along, absorbing the information while part of my mind remained back in that conference room with

As we slid into

my thoughts drifting as the city passed by outside the window.

there at exactly the right moment? The

undermining me, showing up whenever we were together, offering her “help” with assignments, and conveniently appearing at parties. Eventually, he convinced her I was cheating, and she broke up with me.

in a parking

coincidence? Or was history

everything and raced over, but James

at the thought. The idea of James watching Olivia, waiting for an opportunity to swoop in and play hero,

stunt with Olivia that he’d pulled with Samantha, he was sorely mistaken. Olivia wasn’t some college girlfriend. She was my

My wife.

in my head. This marriage had started as a business arrangement, a means to an

and now, Olivia had become more than just a signature on a contract. The way she challenged me, her quick

us was undeniable. Every touch, every kiss sent electricity coursing through me. The nights we spent together

to our conversations, enjoying the simple pleasure of watching her read in the evening or hum to herself as she made coffee

thought of her? This fierce protectiveness I felt at the idea of James

minutes out,” Jessica announced, interrupting

of Olivia and James aside. “Thank you, Jessica. Let’s focus on securing

urban renewal angle. The neighborhood development

community investment in addition

in front of the Hudson Development building, a sleek glass tower in downtown Los Angeles. I pushed all personal thoughts away, switching fully into

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