The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 241

Chapter 241

Olivia

I nearly choked on nothing, my eyes widening as heat flooded my cheeks.

Alexander’s hand tightened on mine. “Grandfather.”

“What? It’s a reasonable question.” Harold looked between us, completely unrepentant. “You’re married. You’re young. These things happen.”

“We’re not planning children right now,” I managed to say, my voice steadier than I felt.

“Not planning?” Harold’s eyebrows shot up. “Well, that’s disappointing. I was hoping to be a great–grandfather before! shuffle off this mortal coil.”

“You’re perfectly healthy,” Alexander pointed out.

“Healthy is relative.” Harold waved a dismissive hand. “Point is, I’d like to meet my great–grandchildren while I can still remember their names.”

“We haven’t really discussed it yet,” Alexander said carefully.

“What’s there to discuss? You’re married, you love each other, you make babies. Simple biology.” Harold looked at me. “You do want children, don’t you, Olivia?”

“Someday,” I replied honestly.

“Margaret and I had our first child within a year of marriage,” Harold said proudly.

“Times were different then,” Alexander interjected.

“Excuses.” Harold pointed a finger at him. “Your generation overthinks everything. When I wanted something, I went after it. No five–year plans or strategic timelines.”

“Maybe that’s why half your generation got divorced,” Alexander shot back with a smile.

Harold barked out a laugh. “Fair point. But Margaret and I are still together, so clearly we did something right.”

“You got lucky,” Alexander teased.

“Damn right I did. Your grandmother is a saint for putting up with me.” Harold turned his attention back to me. “So, Olivia. One child? Two? A whole brood?”

“Grandfather, you’re making her uncomfortable.”

“Am I?” Harold looked genuinely concerned.

I shook my head, smiling despite myself. “It’s fine. I haven’t really thought about numbers. Maybe two?”

“Two is good,” Harold nodded approvingly. “Enough to keep each other company, not so many you go broke feeding them.” Alexander laughed. “I don’t think finances will be our concern.”

“You’d be surprised what kids cost these days. Private schools, tutors, college funds.” Harold whistled. “Your father went through money like water when he was young.”

“I recall you complaining about that frequently,” Alexander said dryly.

“Because it’s true! Do you know how much a single semester at Stanford costs now? Enough to buy a small house.”

I bit back a smile, watching them banter. There was real affection there, beneath the teasing.

“Anyway,” Harold continued, “I’m expecting at least one grandchild within the year. Preferably sooner.”

“Grandfather,” Alexander said, exasperated.

“What? I’m old. I’m allowed to make demands.” He pointed at both of us. “You two are young, healthy, and clearly attracted to each other. What’s the holdup?”

“The holdup is we’ve been married recently,” Alexander replied.

Harold leaned forward conspiratoriame tell you something, Alexander. The best decision your grandmother and I ever made was starting our family young. We got to enjoy our children, watch them grow, and now we’re still young enough to play with our grandchildren.”

“You’re in a wheelchair,” Alexander pointed out Successfully unlocked!

“A minor setback. Besides, kids don’t care if Granup will or running marathons. They just want someone to spoil them rotten.”

Chapter 241

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re very persistent.”

“I didn’t build a multi billion–dollar company by giving up easily.” Harold winked at me. “So what do you say? Think you could make an old man happy?”

“By getting pregnant immediately?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Well, not immediately. Take a few months if you must.” He waved his hand dismissively. “But don’t wait too long. Time waits for no one.”

Alexander squeezed my hand. “We’ll think about it.”

“Think about it,” Harold repeated, shaking his head. “In my day, we didn’t think. We just did. The point is, children are a blessing. Don’t wait too long to experience that.”

“We won’t,” I assured him, meaning it more than I expected to.

Harold studied me for a moment, then nodded, satisfied. “Good. That’s all I wanted to hear.”

“So the interrogation is over?” Alexander asked.

“For now. But I’ll be checking in.” Harold pointed at both of us again. “Regular updates. I want to know the moment you start trying.”

“Absolutely not,” Alexander said firmly. “That’s private.”

“Nothing’s private in this family. You should know that by now.”

“Some things should be.”

Harold laughed, clearly enjoying his grandson’s discomfort. “Alright, alright. I’m just kidding about the timeline.” He waved his hand dismissively. “You two take your time. Plan these things based on your own preferences, not an old man’s wishful thinking.”

I felt the tension leave my shoulders. “Thank you.”

“But seriously,” he added, his eyes twinkling, “when you do decide, I expect to be involved in spoiling those grandchildren rotten. It’s my right as a great–grandfather.”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Alexander said dryly.

Margaret appeared in the doorway. “Harold, stop terrorizing the young people about babies. They’ve only been married a short while.”

“I wasn’t terrorizing anyone,” Harold protested. “Just expressing interest in the future.”

“You were absolutely terrorizing them,” Margaret corrected, wheeling his chair toward the door. “Come along. Let’s give them some privacy.”

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