The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 164

Chapter 164

Olivia

Alexander changed into a fresh suit, and by eight, we were pulling up to Spago. The restaurant was packed, as usual, but we were immediately escorted to a prime table near the center of the room.

“Mr. and Mrs. Carter,” the maître d‘ greeted us warmly. “It’s a pleasure to have you with us tonight.”

I noticed several heads turn as we made our way through the restaurant. Whether it was Alexander’s CEO status or the gossip article, we were definitely being noticed.

“Ignore them,” Alexander murmured, his hand warm on the small of my back. “We’re here to enjoy ourselves.

We ordered cocktails first, a Manhattan for Alexander and a champagne cocktail for me.

My eyes wandered around the restaurant, noticing several people stealing glances at our table. The champagne arrived with a perfect curl of lemon peel floating on top.

“You know what? I’m starving,” I announced, flipping open the menu. “Let’s order everything.”

“Everything might be excessive, but I’m game for sharing a few dishes.”

“Perfect. I’m ordering the most expensive items purely out of spite.”

“That’s the spirit.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “The Dover sole is excellent here.”

We selected several dishes to share, including the famous smoked salmon pizza and Dover sole. After placing our order, I took a long sip of my cocktail, savoring the bubbly sweetness.

“So,” I said, setting down my glass, “that article. You think Victoria’s involved?”

have a theory,” he said, leaning forward. “I think Victoria approached Penelope

“What kind of proposition?”

lowered. “She wants to

Thompson Hotels

appears, trying to snatch your project? It’s too convenient.” Alexander took a sip of his Manhattan. “I think

went with plan B:

wants my grandfather to question our marriage, which would give her leverage

momentarily pausing our conversation. The scent of dill and capers wafted

to a slice. The thin crust crackled perfectly between my

with amusement. “You know, for someone who was upset about being called a gold digger a few hours ago, you seem

bite. “Plus, I refuse to

I like about you, Olivia.

that a fancy way of

“Among other things.”

moment, I forgot about the gossip articles

might just be Penelope acting alone,” Alexander said, returning to our earlier conversation. “She’s always been competitive, and

account, you mean,” I corrected.

mine over the rim of his

hide my smile. “So her professional failure

“Yes.”

filleted tableside by a server who moved with practiced precision. The delicate

taking a bite of the buttery fish. “Besides eating ridiculously expensive

on the Thompson Hotels project

“And Victoria and Penelope?”

“Leave

“That sounds ominous.”

should.” He cut a piece of fish with surgical precision. “Victoria has forgotten that while

“Meaning?”

resources and information at my disposal that she can only dream of.” His smile was wolfish. “Victoria has some questionable investments I’ve been monitoring for a while. And Penelope’s

you planning to destroy them?”

of the natural order

be the most

with mock solemnity.

couple at a nearby table glanced over, clearly trying to eavesdrop. I leaned closer to

reached across the table and took my hand in his, stroking his thumb across my knuckles. “Let them look. Maybe they’ll report back to

of warmth up my arm. I found myself leaning even closer, drawn in by the conspiratorial

what really bothers me

“What?”

that terrible photo of me leaving the office. I looked like I’d been dragged through a hedge

“Is that what’s bothering you? Not the character

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