The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 239

Chapter 239

Olivia

I stared out the passenger window as Alexander navigated the winding roads leading to his family’s estate. The California sun filtered through the palm trees lining the drive, casting dancing shadows across the hood of his Aston Martin. “Stop fidgeting,” Alexander said without looking at me.

I glanced down at my hands, which had been smoothing the fabric of my dress for the third time in as many minutes. “I’m not fidgeting.”

“You’ve adjusted that dress four times since we left.”

“It’s riding up.”

“It’s perfect.” His hand left the steering wheel to squeeze mine briefly. “You look beautiful. Stop worrying.”

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Easy for him to say. Sunday dinner with the entire Carter family felt like walking into a lion’s den wearing a meat suit. Alexander pulled into the circular driveway and parked behind a familiar car.

“Victoria’s already here,” I observed.

“Of course she is. Probably arrived thirty minutes early to get her digs in first.”

We climbed out of the car, and Alexander’s hand found the small of my back as we walked toward the entrance. The massive doors opened before we reached them, revealing Jenkins.

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Carter. The family is gathered in the dining room.”

“Thanks, Jenkins.” Alexander guided me inside.

The familiar scent of expensive furniture polish and fresh flowers greeted us. We made our way through the grand foyer, my heels clicking against the marble floor.

Voices drifted from the dining room. Harold’s distinctive laugh, Julia’s measured tones, and beneath it all, Victoria’s sharp replies.

“Ready?” Alexander asked, pausing just outside the doorway.

“No. But let’s go anyway.”

He smiled and pushed open the door.

The Carter family sat around the massive dining table, crystal glasses catching the light from the chandelier overhead. Harold presided at the head, with Julia and Charles on either side. Victoria and Thomas occupied seats near Harold, drinks already in hand. Valentina was scrolling through her phone at the far end.

“Sorry, we’re late,” Alexander said, pulling out a chair for me. “Traffic was worse than expected.”

“Traffic,” Victoria repeated, her tone suggesting she didn’t believe a word. “How unfortunate.” She sipped her wine, eyes fixed on me over the rim of her glass. “Olivia, what a surprise. I didn’t think Alexander would actually bring you tonight.”

I settled into my seat, arranging my napkin across my lap. “Why wouldn’t he?”

“Oh, you know how Alexander can be. Work always comes first.” Her smile was all teeth. “Though I suppose now that you‘ re working on the Thompson project, business and pleasure overlap nicely.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “Victoria.”

“What? I’m just making conversation.” She turned to me, fake concern painting her features. “How is the project going, by the way?”

“It’s progressing well,” I replied carefully. “We’re making good headway on the rebranding strategy.”

“Still working on it?” Victoria’s eyebrows rose delicately. “I would have thought someone with your talents would have wrapped it up by now.”

“These things take time when you want to do them right.”

“Of course. I can understand how someone still learning might need extra time.” She waved her hand dismissively. ” Amateur mistakes and all that.”

“Victoria, Alexander’s voice dropped low, dangerous. “That’s enough ”

“I’m simply trying to motivate her, Alexander. D Successfully unlocked!aned forward slightly. “Perhaps I could share some tricks I’ve learned over the years? Ways to move projects avily faster? Though I suppose experience does make all the difference.”

Chapter 239

“Behave yourself,” Alexander said flatly.

Victoria sat back, her expression innocent. “I’m always on my best behavior. Unlike some people who wear department store dresses to family dinners.” Her eyes traveled over my outfit with obvious disdain. “Really, Olivia, someone should teach you about proper attire for these occasions. Low class fashion choices are so obvious, don’t you think?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Valentina beat me to it.

“That dress is Valentino,” she said without looking up from her phone. “Spring collection. Retails for about eight thousand dollars.”

Victoria’s smile faltered slightly.

Margaret entered from the kitchen just then, surveying the table with sharp eyes. “That’s a lovely dress, Olivia. The color suits you beautifully.”

“Thank you,” I managed, grateful for the support.

“Yes,” Julia added, taking her seat. “Much more elegant than some of the overly fussy things one sees at these gatherings. Simple sophistication is always in style.”

Victoria’s face flushed slightly, and I suspected Julia’s comment was aimed directly at her emerald gown, which had enough beading to qualify as armor.

“Simple isn’t always better,” Victoria said, her tone sharp. “Sometimes elegance requires embellishment.”

“If you need embellishment to achieve elegance, perhaps you’re starting from the wrong foundation,” Julia replied smoothly, taking a sip of her wine.

I bit back a smile.

Victoria’s eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, Harold cleared his throat from the head of the table.

“Ladies, this is supposed to be a pleasant family dinner. Let’s keep the claws sheathed, shall we?”

“Of course, Grandfather,” Victoria said sweetly, though her knuckles were white around her wine glass.

The butler glided in with the first course. We ate in relative silence, the only sounds the gentle clink of silverware against fine china and the occasional murmur of appreciation for the food.

The butler cleared the dinner plates and replaced them with delicate chocolate mousse drizzled with raspberry coulis, almost too pretty to eat.

“So, Alexander,” Victoria said, her voice carrying that false brightness that always preceded trouble. “I’ve been hearing some interesting rumors lately.”

Alexander’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. “Rumors?”

“Mmhmm.” Victoria dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “About you and Olivia.”

The table fell silent. Even Valentina, who’d been mostly focused on her phone throughout dinner, looked up with interest.

“What kind of rumors?” Julia asked, her tone wary.

“Oh, you know how people talk.” Victoria waved her hand dismissively. “Questions about the timeline of your relationship. The speed of everything.”

This was exactly what I’d been dreading.

“What timeline?” Harold demanded. “They dated, they fell in love, they got married. What’s complicated about that?” Victoria leaned forward slightly. “Well, that’s just it. Some people are saying they didn’t actually date before the marriage. That it all happened very suddenly after Olivia joined the company

“Who’s saying this?” Alexander’s voice was dangerously quiet.

“Does it matter? The rumors are out there.” Victoria turned to me with fake concern. “I’m just worried about how it looks for the family, Olivia. You understand.”

“What I understand is that you’re stirring up trouble,” Margaret interjected sharply. “As usual.”

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