The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 240

Chapter 240

Olivia

“I’m not stirring anything up!” Victoria protested. “I’m simply addressing what everyone’s whispering about. Better to deal with it now than let it fester.”

“Deal with what, exactly?” Charles asked, his expression stern. “My son’s marriage is his own business.”

“It’s family business,” Victoria countered. “Especially given the circumstances of Grandfather’s requirement.”

Harold’s fist came down on the table with surprising force, making the crystal glasses rattle. “Enough! This is dinner time, not gossip hour. Whatever rumors are floating around, they can stay floating.”

“But Grandfather-”

“I said enough, Victoria.” His voice brooked no argument. “If I want to discuss Alexander and Olivia’s marriage, I’ll do it privately. Not at the dinner table like some reality television program.”

Victoria’s mouth snapped shut, though her eyes glittered with frustrated anger.

“Now,” Harold continued, his tone softening slightly, “who wants coffee?”

The tension eased fractionally as Butler appeared with coffee service and after–dinner drinks. I accepted a cup gratefully, my hands trembling slightly as I raised it to my lips.

Alexander’s hand found mine under the table, squeezing reassuringly. I glanced at him, finding his jaw set and his eyes hard.

“Don’t,” he murmured quietly. “Don’t let her get to you.”

“I’m fine,” I whispered back, though we both knew it was a lie.

“Olivia,” Margaret said kindly, “would you help me select some flowers from the garden? I’d love your opinion on arrangements for next week’s charity luncheon.”

I recognized the lifeline for what it was. “I’d be happy to.”

“Wonderful.” Margaret stood, gesturing for me to follow. “Excuse us, gentlemen.”

Julia rose as well. “I’ll join you. Fresh air sounds lovely.”

We left the men at the table, Victoria included, and made our way through the French doors into the garden. The evening air was cool and fragrant with jasmine.

“I’m sorry about Victoria, Margaret said once we were out of earshot. “She’s always had a gift for saying exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time.”

“She’s trying to cause problems,” Julia added bluntly. “Don’t let her succeed.”

“She’s asking the same questions everyone else is probably thinking,” I said quietly.

Margaret stopped walking, turning to face me. “And what if they are? Does it matter? You’re married to Alexander. You’re a Carter now. The rest is noise.”

“But if people think-”

“People always think something,” Julia interrupted. “Trust me, I’ve been in this family long enough to know. When Charles and I married, people whispered that I was after his money. When Alexander became CEO, people said he was too young. People always talk.”

“The trick,” Margaret continued, “is to live your life regardless of the commentary. If you and Alexander are happy, truly happy, it shows. And no amount of Victoria’s meddling can change that.”

I wanted to believe them. Wanted to feel the confidence they projected so effortlessly.

“What if the rumors are right?” I found myself asking. “What if people discover-”

I stopped myself before saying too much.

Margaret studied my face for a long moment. “Discover what, dear? That you married quickly? That’s hardly a scandal. Harold and I were engaged after three weeks. Scandalous by any standard, but here we are.”

“Really?”

“Really,” she confirmed. “Love doesn’t operate Successfully unlocked! kes years. Sometimes it takes days. The important thing is what you build together afte.

Julia nodded. “And from what I’ve seen, you and Alexander are building something real. He looks at you differently than he‘

Chapter 240

s looked at anyone else. That’s not something you can fake.”

Guilt twisted in my stomach. If only they knew the truth.

We walked further into the garden, admiring the roses and discussing flower arrangements, though my mind was elsewhere. When we finally returned to the dining room, the men had moved to the sitting room with cigars and brandy.

“There you are,” Alexander said, standing as we entered. “Everything alright?”

“Just girl talk,” Margaret replied with a smile. “Olivia has excellent taste

in

”

Victoria watched us from her seat, suspicion written clearly on her face. Thomas stood nearby, looking bored and checking his phone periodically.

“We should get going,” Victoria announced abruptly. “Thomas has an early meeting tomorrow.”

“Do I?” Thomas looked confused.

Victoria shot him a look. “Yes. Remember?”

“Right. Of course.” He straightened, clearly accustomed to following his wife’s lead.

They made their rounds, saying goodbye. When Victoria reached me, she leaned in close under the pretense of an air kiss.

“This isn’t over,” she whispered. “I will find out the truth.”

“There’s nothing to find,” I whispered back, meeting her gaze steadily.

She pulled back with a tight smile. “We’ll see.”

After they left, the evening wound down quickly.

Harold insisted on a nightcap in the sitting room, a glass of port that seemed more ceremonial than anything else. We settled into the plush furniture, the fire crackling in the hearth despite the mild weather.

“Well,” Harold said, swirling his port. “That was certainly ev!!”

“Victoria never disappoints,” Julia murmured, shooting me an apologetic look.

“She’s always been dramatic,” Charles added. “Even as a child.”

Harold set down his glass with a deliberate clink. “Alexander, Olivia. A word before you leave?”

Alexander stood smoothly, offering me his hand. “Of course, Grandfather.”

We followed Harold into his study, a wood–paneled room filled with leather–bound books and expensive scotch. He wheeled himself behind the massive mahogany desk, gesturing for us to sit in the chairs opposite.

“Close the door,” he instructed Alexander.

The click of the door felt ominous.

Harold steepled his fingers, studying us with those sharp eyes that missed nothing. “I’m going to be direct because that’s how I operate. These rumors about your marriage need to be dealt with. Soon.”

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