The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 269

Alexander

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Aaron Davies shifted in his seat, clearly not expecting this level of candor. “That’s… an interesting observation.”

“Just calling it as I see it,” James replied. His gaze flicked to Victoria, then to me. “Strategic acquisitions are one thing. Desperate ones are another entirely.”

“Desperate seems like a strong word,” Victoria interjected, her voice smooth as silk. “We’re all successful businesspeople here. None of us are desperate.”

“Aren’t we?” James leaned back in his chair. “This company handles offshore accounts for half the major corporations in California. The kind of accounts that make certain financial activities… let’s say, less visible to regulators. That information would be valuable to someone who needed to understand where money’s been flowing.”

I met James’s eyes across the table. The bastard knew exactly what he was implying.

Aaron cleared his throat. “I can assure you that Cayman Corporate Services operates within all legal parameters.”

“Of course you do,” James said easily. “But the records you keep, the transactions you process, those could tell quite a story if someone knew where to look.”

“Shall we start?” Aaron asked, clearly eager to move past James’s uncomfortable observations.

“All the best,” James said, raising his water glass in a mock toast. “May the most motivated bidder win.”

Penelope straightened in her seat. “All the best to you all, because I’m going to buy this company. My firm has been preparing for this acquisition for months. We have the capital, the infrastructure, and the strategic vision to take Cayman Corporate Services to the next level.”

I let my gaze drift to her, keeping my expression unreadable. She was good at projecting confidence, I’d give her that. But desperation leaked through around the edges.

“All the best to you,” I replied calmly. “And everyone else. The game’s already started.”

Victoria’s eyes narrowed at my words, but she said nothing.

Aaron stood and moved to the head of the table, where a presentation screen had been set up. “Well then. Let’s begin with an overview of our operations.”

He clicked a remote, and the screen came to life with Cayman Corporate Services‘ logo.

“We’ve been operating in Grand Cayman for fifteen years,” Aaron began. “Our client base includes Fortune 500 companies, international conglomerates, and high–net–worth individuals. We specialize in offshore corporate structuring, asset protection, and tax optimization strategies that are completely legal under both US and Cayman law.”

He clicked to the next slide, showing revenue figures.

“Annual revenue has grown steadily over the past decade. We’re currently processing approximately two billion dollars in transactions annually, with profit margins of thirty–two percent.”

Penelope leaned forward. “What’s your client retention rate?”

“Ninety–four percent over the past five years,” Aaron replied. “Our discretion and expertise keep clients coming back

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Chapter 269

“Discretion. James repeated thoughtfully. “That’s an interesting selling point.”

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Aaron smiled tightly. “In this business, client confidentiality is paramount. We maintain the highest standards of privacy.”

“I’m sure you do.” James tapped his pen against his notepad. “How many employees have access to client records?”

“Full access? Just myself and my two partners. Limited access for about fifteen staff members who handle day–to–day operations.”

“And those records go back how far?”

“Fifteen years. Complete transaction histories for every client.”

I watched Victoria’s expression carefully. She was doing a good job of hiding it, but I caught the slight tension around her eyes. Those records would show every transaction she’d funneled through offshore accounts.

Aaron continued clicking through slides, showing office locations, staff credentials, and growth projections. The company was solid, well–run, and profitable. Exactly the kind of acquisition that would normally generate moderate interest.

But this wasn’t a normal acquisition. Everyone at this table wanted something specific, and it had nothing to do with profit margins.

“Let’s talk numbers,” Aaron said. “We’re seeking a minimum of fifty million for the company. That includes all assets, client contracts, and proprietary systems.”

“Fifty million seems low for a company processing two billion annually,” Thomas observed.

“We’re motivated sellers,” Aaron admitted. “My partners and I are ready to move on to other ventures. We’re looking for a clean sale, no drawn–out negotiations.”

“How clean?” I asked.

“Cash offer, sixty–day close. Buyer takes over existing operations with minimal disruption.”

‘And the client records?” Victoria asked, her voice carefully neutral. “Those would transfer to the new owner?”

‘Complete and intact. That’s part of the value proposition.”

What about confidentiality agreements?” Penelope interjected. “Your clients expect their information to remain private.”

‘Standard NDAs remain in effect,” Aaron replied. “But the new owner would have full access to all records for operational purposes.”

Translation: whoever bought this company would have access to fifteen years of offshore transactions. Every shell company, every hidden account, every financial move designed to avoid scrutiny.

James was right. Someone here needed those records to gain leverage. Someone else needed them buried.

‘Let’s begin the bidding,” Aaron said. “Starting at fifty million, as stated.”

‘Fifty–five million, Penelope called out immediately.

“Sixty,” Victoria countered.

I stayed silent, watching the early rounds play out. Thomas scribbled notes beside Victoria, probably calculating how much they could afford before it became financially stupid.

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“Sixty–five,” James said lazily.

“Seventy, Penelope shot back.

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The bidding continued in five–million–dollar increments. Aaron watched with obvious satisfaction as the price climbed higher than he’d probably expected.

“Eighty–five million,” Victoria declared, her voice sharp.

“Ninety,” I said calmly, entering the fray for the first time.

All eyes turned to me. I met Victoria’s gaze across the table, letting her see exactly how serious I was.

“Ninety–five,” James countered.

“One hundred million,” Penelope said, her knuckles white where she gripped the table edge.

Victoria exchanged a quick glance with Thomas, who shook his head almost imperceptibly. They’d hit their limit.

“One hundred and five million,” I offered.

“One hundred and ten,” James replied without hesitation.

Fuck. He was going to push this until someone broke.

“One hundred and fifteen,” Penelope said, but her voice had lost its earlier confidence.

The room fell silent. Aaron looked between us, clearly thrilled with how high the bids had climbed.

“One hundred and twenty million,” I said. “Cash, forty–five–day close instead of sixty.”

Victoria’s jaw clenched. James tilted his head, considering.

“One hundred and twenty–five,” James countered. “Same terms.”

“One hundred and thirty,” I replied immediately.

Aaron’s eyes were practically glowing now. We’d more than doubled his asking price in less than twenty minutes.

James leaned back in his chair, studying me. “You’re really committed to this.”

“Are you?”

He smiled. “One hundred and thirty–five million. Forty–day close.”

Penelope had gone pale. Victoria looked furious. Thomas was doing calculations on his tablet, probably figuring out if they could liquidate assets fast enough to compete.

‘One hundred and forty million,” I said. “Thirty–five–day close, all cash.”

“Gentlemen,” Aaron interrupted. “Perhaps we should take a brief recess? Give everyone time to consult with their financial

teams?”

“Good idea,” James agreed. “I need to make some calls.”

“Fifteen–minute break,” Aaron announced, standing. “There’s coffee and water in the side room.”

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Everyone stood, the tension breaking as people moved toward the doors. I caught James by the elbow before he could leave.

“Walk with me,” I said quietly.

He raised an eyebrow but followed me out onto the balcony overlooking the ocean. The Caribbean sun beat down, the water impossibly blue below us.

“You don’t actually want this company,” I said once we were alone.

“Don’t I?”

“You’re driving up the price. Either to hurt me financially or because someone’s paying you to compete.”

James leaned against the railing. “Maybe I just appreciate the strategic value of offshore transaction records.”

“Bullshit. You’ve never shown interest in this sector before.”

“People change. Interests evolve.”

I moved closer, lowering my voice. “Whatever game you’re playing, James, walk away now. This isn’t worth destroying our… history over.”

“History?” He laughed. “We stopped being friends years ago, Alex. Now we’re just competitors.”

“Then compete on something that matters. This is personal for me.”

“Is it?” His eyes searched mine. “Or is it personal for Victoria? Maybe she’s the one who really needs those records buried.”

So he knew. Or suspected strongly enough to make the connection.

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