The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 270

Chapter 270

Alexander

“What do you know?” I asked carefully.

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“Enough.” James straightened. “Enough to know that whoever buys this company gets leverage over some very powerful people. And that leverage is worth more than any purchase price.”

“So you’re planning to extort people?”

“I’m planning to protect my interests. What happens after that depends on how cooperative certain parties decide to be.”

I gripped the railing hard enough to hurt. “Don’t do this.”

“Give me a reason not to.”

“Because it’s wrong? Because leveraging people’s financial crimes makes you no better than they are?”

“Says the man who’s been sitting on evidence of his cousin’s embezzlement for weeks.” James smiled. “We’re not that different, Alex. We both play long games. We both wait for the right moment to strike. The only difference is I’m willing to admit it.”

Before I could respond, the balcony door opened. Penelope stepped out, her expression carefully neutral.

“Sorry to interrupt. Just needed some air.”

“We’re done here anyway,” James said, moving past her back inside.

I stayed on the balcony, staring out at the ocean. This was getting more complicated by the minute.

Penelope moved to stand beside me. “He’s not going to back down.”

“Neither am I.”

“Even if it costs you everything?”

I turned to look at her. “What do you care?”

“I don’t.” She met my gaze. “But I’m curious about what’s worth one hundred and forty million dollars to you. Must be something pretty damaging in those records.”

“Or maybe it’s just a good investment.”

“Please.” She laughed. “Nobody pays nearly three times the asking price for a good investment. You’re buying information. Or buying silence. Maybe both.”

“And you? What’s your angle in all this?”

Penelope turned back to the ocean. “Let’s just say certain clients of mine would prefer their offshore activities remain private. I’m bidding on their behalf.”

“Blackmail clients?”

“Protective clients. There’s a difference.”

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Chapter 270

“Not much of one.”

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She shrugged. “We all do what we have to do. You, me, Victoria, James. We’re all here for leverage. The question is who wants. it badly enough to pay the most.”

Aaron appeared in the doorway. “Break’s over. Let’s reconvene.”

Back in the conference room, the atmosphere had shifted. Everyone looked more determined, more calculating. The friendly facade had completely dropped.

“Shall we continue?” Aaron asked, retaking his seat.

“One hundred and forty–five million,” James said before anyone else could speak. “Thirty–day close.”

“One hundred and fifty,” I countered immediately.

Penelope shook her head. I’m out. My clients won’t go higher than one–twenty.”

That left three bidders: me, James, and Victoria.

“One hundred and fifty–five,” Victoria declared.

So they’d found more capital. Interesting.

“One hundred and sixty,” James replied.

“One hundred and sixty–five,” I said.

Aaron was writing everything down, his hand practically trembling with excitement. This was turning into the sale of his

career.

“One hundred and seventy,” Victoria countered, her voice strained.

Thomas looked physically ill beside her. They were reaching the absolute limit of what they could finance.

“One hundred and seventy–five,” James said calmly.

I paused, running calculations in my head. At this price, the acquisition barely made financial sense. But it wasn’t about finances anymore. It was about control.

“One hundred and eighty million,” I said. “Twenty–five–day close. Final offer.”

The room went silent. Victoria’s face had gone pale. James drummed his fingers on the table, considering.

“That’s… quite an offer,” Aaron said carefully.

“It’s more than fair,” I replied. “And it’s contingent on immediate acceptance. If we continue bidding, the offer drops back to one–sixty.”

Aaron looked between the remaining bidders. “Anyone else?”

Victoria opened her mouth, then closed it. Thomas shook his head definitively. They were tapped out.

James smiled slowly. “You win this round, Alexander Carter.”

“Then we have a deal?” Aaron asked, looking at me.

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Chapter 270

“Pending due diligence and contract review,” I replied. “But yes. We have a deal.”

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Aaron stood, extending his hand across the table. “Congratulations, Mr. Carter. Cayman Corporate Services is yours.”

I shook his hand, feeling the weight of what I’d just done settle over me. One hundred and eighty million dollars for a company that would give me complete access to Victoria’s financial crimes.

Worth every penny.

Victoria stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “This isn’t over.”

“Actually, it is,” I replied calmly. “But thank you for driving up the price. Really helped establish market value.”

Her eyes flashed with fury before she turned and stormed out. Thomas scrambling to follow.

James approached, extending his hand with surprising grace. “Well played.”

I shook it cautiously. “You too.”

“No hard feelings. Business is business.” He lowered his voice. “But whatever you’re planning with those records, be careful. People who feel cornered do desperate things.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

After James left, Aaron turned to me with barely contained excitement. I’ll have our attorneys start drafting the purchase agreement immediately. This is incredible, Mr. Carter. Truly incredible.”

“I’m glad we could reach an agreement.” I pulled out my phone. “I’ll have my legal team contact yours this afternoon to begin due diligence.”

“Of course, of course.” Aaron was practically vibrating. “And just to confirm, you’re comfortable with the twenty–five–day close timeline?”

“Completely. My financing is already arranged.”

“Excellent. This is going to be a landmark deal, Mr. Carter. Absolutely landmark.”

Aaron Davies practically vibrated with excitement, his smile so wide I thought his face might crack. The man had just made more money than he’d probably dreamed possible.

“I’m pleased we could come to an agreement,” I replied, shaking his hand again. “My team will have the contracts ready by Wednesday morning.”

“Perfect, perfect.” Aaron pumped my hand enthusiastically. “I can’t tell you how relieved we are. This has been a stressful process.”

“I imagine it has been.” I gestured toward the conference room door. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to make some calls. Jessica will coordinate the next steps with your team.”

“Of course, of course.” Aaron finally released my hand. “Thank you again, Mr. Carter. This is… well, it’s life–changing.”

I nodded and headed for the door, already mentally drafting the email to legal. One hundred and eighty million dollars. Worth it for the leverage those records would provide, but still a staggering amount for what amounted to corporate

insurance.

The hallway was empty, the afternoon sun streaming through floor–to–ceiling windows that overlooked the turquoise Caribbean below. I pulled out my phone to call Jessica when Aaron appeared beside me.

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Chapter 270

Mr. Carter, one more thing before you go

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