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?”

he said, leaning forward. “I think Victoria approached Penelope with a

“What kind of proposition?”

worthy of being Mrs. Carter.” His voice lowered.

frowned. “And Thompson Hotels

It’s too convenient.” Alexander took a sip of his Manhattan. “I think that was

went with

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

with our smoked salmon pizza, momentarily pausing our conversation. The scent of dill and capers wafted up, making

helping myself to a slice. The thin crust crackled perfectly between my

for someone who was upset about being called a

another bite. “Plus, I refuse to

like about you, Olivia.

way of saying I’m

“Among other things.”

a moment, I forgot about the gossip articles and Penelope’s threats. This felt normal, just two people enjoying dinner

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

account, you mean,”

too.” His eyes met mine over the rim of his glass. “But I was referring to losing

I picked up my cocktail to hide my smile. “So her professional

“Yes.”

sole arrived, perfectly filleted tableside by a server who moved with practiced precision. The delicate white

next move?” I asked after taking a bite of the buttery

as planned. We focus on the Thompson Hotels project and show everyone that these attacks aren’t

“And Victoria and Penelope?”

“Leave

“That sounds ominous.”

He cut a piece of fish with surgical precision. “Victoria has forgotten that while she’s scheming

“Meaning?”

she can only dream of.” His smile was wolfish. “Victoria has some questionable

planning to destroy them?”

destroy. Just… remind them of the

laughed. “That might be the most

replied with mock solemnity. “I’ve been practicing my evil

clearly trying to eavesdrop. I leaned closer to

Alexander reached across the table and took my hand in his, stroking his thumb across my knuckles.

casual touch sent a current of warmth up my arm. I found myself leaning even closer, drawn in by the conspiratorial gleam in

what really bothers me about that article?” I

“What?”

the office. I looked like I’d been dragged through

bothering you? Not the character assassination, but the

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