The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 295

Borrowed Time and That Followed Me 295

apter 295

Alexander

I took another sip of scotch, letting her words hang in the air between us.

“Here’s what you’re missing,” I said finally. “You think exposing my marriage hurts me. But what does it actually prove That I made a business arrangement to satisfy Grandfather’s requirement? The board already suspects that. Grandfather suspects it

too.”

“They suspect. I can prove it.”

“Can you?” I tilted my head. “All you have is speculation and circumstantial evidence. Maybe some photos of documents maybe some hearsay. Nothing concrete.”

Victoria’s smile tightened. “I have enough.”

“Even if you do, so what?” I leaned forward. “My marriage might be unconventional, but it’s legal. Olivia and I signed our names, said our vows. Whether we did it for love or business doesn’t change the legality.”

“It changes the optics.”

“Maybe. But optics fade. Scandals blow over.” I tapped the manila folder. “Embezzlement? That’s criminal. That’s prison time. That’s your entire life destroyed, not just your reputation damaged.”

Her fingers tightened around her wine glass. “You’re forgetting that taking me down means admitting your marriage is fake. Grandfather will never forgive you for that deception.”

“You’re probably right.” I nodded slowly. “He’ll be disappointed. Angry, even. But he’ll get over it because at the end of the day, I’m still running the company successfully. The marriage requirement was always about stability and commitment. If Olivia and I have that, even if it started as business, then I’ve technically satisfied his terms.”

“That’s a stretch.”

“Is it?” I smiled slightly. “Grandfather’s a businessman first. He understands pragmatism. He might not like how I met his requirement, but he’ll appreciate that I found a solution.”

Victoria set down her glass with deliberate care. “You’re betting everything on Grandfather’s forgiveness.

“And you’re betting everything on mutual destruction.” I gestured to the folder. “The difference is, I have actual crimes documented here. You have speculation about a marriage arrangement. We’re not playing on level ground.”

“So what are you suggesting?”

“I’m suggesting you think carefully about your next move.” I finished my scotch. “Because if you go public with whaleser think you know about my marriage, I’ll bury you with this evidence. Completely. No appeals, no second chances

Her face had gone cold, calculating “You’d really do it? Expose yourself just to take me down?

“If necessary” I met her eyes directly. “But here’s the thing, Victoria. I don’t want to do this. You’re family even if you’re a pain in my ass. I’d rather we both walk away from this conversation with our secrets intac

“Then why show me the evidence at all?”

“Because you needed to understand what I have. What I could do if you push me too far I tapped the folder again. Thisis leverage. Insurance. As long as you leave my marriage alone, leave Olivia alone, these documents stay locked away Forever

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5:35 pm

Chapter 295

Victoria stared at the folder, her mind clearly working through scenarios and outcomes.

“And if I don’t agree?” she asked finally.

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“Then we both lose.” I shrugged. “You go to prison for embezzlement. I deal with some negative press about my marriage. But at least I’ll have the satisfaction of watching you pay for your crimes.

“That’s insane.”

“That’s reality.” I leaned back. “You wanted to play hardball, Victoria. Spread rumors, leak photos, undermine my marriage at every turn. Well, here we are. I’ve got documentation that could destroy you, and you’ve got speculation that might embarrass me. The question is, are you willing to risk everything on that gamble?”

She sat in silence, her fingers drumming against the table.

The waiter approached with menus, but I waved him off. “Give us a few minutes.”

After he left, Victoria spoke quietly. “You’re asking me to just… accept defeat? Pretend the last few months didn’t happen

‘I’m asking you to be smart. Cut your losses, move on. Stop trying to undermine my position, and I’ll stop investigating yours.”

And the embezzlement evidence?”

‘Stays locked away. As long as you behave.”

Behave.” She laughed bitterly. “You’re blackmailing me into good behavior.”

‘I’m offering you a deal. Your freedom in exchange for leaving my marriage alone.”

Victoria picked up the folder and flipped through the documents again. I could see her mind working, weighing options, calculating odds.

If I agree to this,” she said slowly, “what guarantees do I have that you won’t use this evidence anyway?”

‘My word.”

Your word?” She scoffed. “That’s it?”

“That’s all I’ve got to offer.” I spread my hands. “You either trust that I’m more interested in peace than revenge, or you don’t But make no mistake, Victoria. If you keep coming after me, after Olivia, I will use every piece of evidence in that folder to bury you. Family or not.”

She closed the folder, pushing it back across the table toward me.

“I don’t trust your word,” Victoria said, her voice flat. “You expect me to believe you’ll sit on evidence of embezzlement forever? That you won’t use it the moment it’s convenient?”

I picked up the folder, tucking it under my arm. “Whether you trust me or not is irrelevant. The facts remain the same. I have documentation of your crimes. You have speculation about my marriage. We both lose if this goes public.”

“Then I’ll take you down with me.” Victoria leaned forward, her eyes glittering with malice. If I’m going to prison for embezzlement, I’ll make damn sure everyone knows your marriage was a sham. Grandfather will be humiliated. The board will demand your resignation. Carter Enterprises‘ stock will tank when the scandal hits.”

“Go ahead.” I stood, buttoning my jacket. “Burn it all down. See where that gets you.”

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5:35 pm MM

Chapter 295

“You think I won’t?” She stood too, matching my stance. “You think I’m bluffing?”

“I think you’re desperate. And desperate people make stupid decisions.”

12 55 upuch

Victoria’s laugh was sharp, cutting. “Says the man who married a stranger to inherit a company. Tell me, Alexander, who’s more desperate? The woman willing to expose the truth, or the man who built his entire future on a lie?”

“At least my lies didn’t involve stealing millions from the family business.”

“No, your lies just involved manipulating an old man’s wishes and deceiving everyone who trusts you. She grabbed her purse. “But sure, let’s compare moral failings. I’m certain you’ll come out looking pristine.

I moved toward the door. “This conversation’s over.”

“Running away?” Victoria called after me. “How typical.”

I stopped, turning back to face her. “I’m not running. I’m choosing not to waste more time on someone who’s already lou

“Lost?” Her voice rose. “I haven’t lost anything yet.”

“Haven’t you? You’re standing here threatening to commit mutual destruction because you can’t win legitimately. That’s not a strategy, Victoria. That’s surrender dressed up as defiance.”

“Fuck you, Alexander.”

“Charming as always.” I opened the restaurant door. “When you’re ready to have an actual conversation instead of hurling threats, let me know.”

“Don’t hold your breath.”

I stepped outside into the cool night air, the restaurant’s ambient noise fading behind me.

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