The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 268

Alexander

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I stood frozen in the lobby, my hand still resting on the small of Olivia’s back. Penelope Langford. Here. In Grand Cayman.

The coincidence was too perfect to be accidental.

Penelope glanced in our direction, her expression shifting from pleasant neutrality to cool recognition in the space of a heartbeat. She said something to the concierge, collected whatever paperwork she’d been reviewing, and turned away without acknowledgment.

Like we were nobody.

“What’s she doing here?” Olivia asked quietly.

“No idea.” But I had suspicions already forming. The business meeting tomorrow. The one I’d been deliberately vague about, even to Olivia.

We crossed the lobby toward the elevators. I hit the button harder than necessary.

“Alex?”

“It’s probably nothing,” I said, though I didn’t believe it. “Business trip, same as us.”

The elevator doors slid open. We stepped inside, the silence between us thick with unspoken questions.

Back in the suite, Olivia kicked off her shoes and headed straight for the minibar. She poured herself a glass of wine without asking if I wanted one.

“That was weird,” she said, taking a long sip.

“Yeah.”

“Do you think she’s here for the same meeting?”

I loosened my tie, considering how much to tell her. “Possibly.”

“What kind of meeting is it exactly?”

“Acquisition talks. Small company, local operation.” I poured myself a scotch. “Nothing major.”

Olivia studied me over the rim of her glass. “If it’s nothing major, why did we fly all the way to the Caymans for it?”

“Some deals require face to face negotiations.”

“And Penelope just happens to be negotiating the same deal?”

“Maybe.” I took a drink, the scotch burning smoothly. “Or maybe she’s here for something else entirely, and it’s pure coincidence.

We stood there in the suite’s living room, the ocean visible through floor to ceiling windows, both of us processing what Penelope’s presence meant.

“Get some rest,” I said finally. “Tomorrow’s going to be interesting.”

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Chapter 268

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The next morning dawned with brilliant Caribbean sunshine pouring through the window, its warm rays an unwelcome intrusion that clashed with my restless thoughts. The vibrant blue sky seemed too cheerful for my mood.

Olivia stirred beside me, her hair spread across the pillow. “What time is it?”

‘Seven thirty.”

‘When’s your meeting?”

‘Two.” I climbed out of bed, heading for the shower. “You staying here?”

‘Unless you want me to come?”

‘Stay here. Relax by the pool, enjoy the beach. I’ll be back before you know it.”

‘If you’re sure.”

‘I’m sure.”

The shower was scalding, exactly what I needed. By the time I emerged, Olivia had ordered room service. Coffee, fruit, pastries that smelled incredible.

‘Eat,” she instructed, pouring coffee into a cup. “You’re going to need your strength if Penelope’s involved.”

She wasn’t wrong.

I ate quickly, reviewing documents on my tablet between bites. The target company was small but strategically valuable. Local operation that specialized in offshore corporate services. The kind of business that helped large corporations navigate complex financial structures.

The kind of business worth fighting over.

By one thirty, I was suited up. Olivia leaned in, kissing me goodbye, her lips warm and lingering on mine.

‘Good luck,” she murmured.

‘Don’t need luck.”

“Kick her ass anyway.”

I smiled despite the tension coiling in my gut. “Plan to.”

The meeting location was a sleek office building downtown, all glass and steel against the turquoise ocean I arrived fifteen minutes early, a tactical decision that paid off immediately.

James Westbrook stood in the lobby, checking his phone.

Of course, he was here.

He looked up as I approached, that familiar competitive smile spreading across his face. “Alexander Carter, Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Could say the same.” I stopped a few feet away, maintaining professional distance. “Small world.”

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“Getting smaller.” He pocketed his phone. “Here for the offshore services acquisition?”

“Among other things.”

“Interesting. Didn’t realize Carter Enterprises was expanding into that sector.”

“Diversification,” I replied smoothly. “You?”

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“Same reason. Westbrook Financial’s always looking for strategic additions.”

We stood there sizing each other up like prizefighters before a match. The elevator dinged, doors sliding open to reveal Penelope Langford and Victoria.

Fucking perfect.

Victoria’s eyes lit up when she spotted me, that predatory smile I knew too well curving her lips. Penelope’s expression remained neutral, but I caught the slight tightening around her eyes.

“Alexander,” Victoria purred, stepping out of the elevator. “What a delightful surprise.”

“Victoria.” I nodded to Penelope. “Penelope.”

Thomas appeared behind them, looking uncomfortable in the tropical heat despite the air conditioning. His suit was rumpled, tie slightly askew. Amateur hour.

“Quite the family reunion,” James observed with obvious amusement. “All of you bidding on the same company?”

“Appears that way,” I replied.

Victoria moved closer, her perfume cloying. “I didn’t expect competition from within the family. How very cutthroat of you, Alex.”

“Business is business.”

“Indeed.” She glanced at James. “Mr. Westbrook. Pleasure to see you again.”

“Mrs. Blackwood.” James’s smile was all teeth. “Should make for an entertaining afternoon.”

The receptionist called from her desk. “Mr. Davies will see you all now. Conference room three, top floor.”

We filed into the elevator, five competitors crammed into expensive suits and false civility. The air crackled with tension. and everyone was mentally calculating odds and strategies.

James leaned against the elevator wall, arms crossed. “Didn’t realize this would turn into an auction. Thought it was a straightforward negotiation.”

“Nothing’s straightforward when Carter blood’s involved,” Victoria said with a laugh. “We do love our family drama.”

“This isn’t drama, I corrected. “It’s competition.

“Same difference in your family,” James replied.

The elevator opened onto a floor of polished marble and floor to ceiling windows showcasing the ocean. A conference room stretched before us, a massive table already set with leather portfolios and water bottles.

Aaron Davies stood at the head of the table, carly fifties with graying temples and the relaxed confidence of someone about

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to make a fortune. His company, Cayman Corporate Services, was about to be the prize in a very expensive game.

“Welcome, everyone.” He gestured to the chairs. “Please, sit. I appreciate you all making the trip.”

We arranged ourselves around the table like chess pieces. James at one end, Victoria and Thomas on the left side, Penelope across from them, and me at the opposite end from James.

Davies remained standing. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect this much interest. When I put out feelers about selling, I thought maybe one or two serious buyers.”

“Your company provides valuable services,” James said smoothly. “Offshore corporate structuring, tax optimization strategies. Any major financial firm would be interested.” He paused, his eyes scanning the room before landing back on Aaron. “But it seems like someone here is interested in buying this company not to expand their portfolio, but to gain something very specific. And someone else appears interested in buying it to bury something.”

The temperature in the room dropped about ten degrees. I kept my expression neutral, watching Victoria’s face go carefully blank. Penelope’s fingers tightened around her pen.

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