The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 311

Alexander

Victoria’s face went white beneath her perfect makeup, Bor the terrapesen for ter purse, nails clicking against the hardware.

“I know how to handle myself. She took a dep bark, chin lifting Tone graphing a draws

everything. Your wife, year reputation, your precious company

“Leave Olivia alone, I said, keeping my voice level. If you want to come her smoke care re whatever twisted game you’re playing

Victoria’s smile was all teeth and no warmth. “Oh, how noble. The protective hudhand fefending to Shegund deliberately. “What should I call her? Your wife? Your employee? Your convenient cation & Creatieffer

I took a step toward her. Thomas immediately moved closer to Fiends are

“You know what your problem is? Victoria continued, her voice dropping lower “You think pretend to be. That sweet little act with Olivis might fool Grandfather, but it doesn’t fool the

“I don’t give a fuck what you think

Her laugh was sharp. Clearly, Otherwise, you wouldn’t have threatened me in a parking lot like something

“I didn’t threaten you. I stated facts

Thomas stepped forward, his mouth opening, but Victoria’s hand shot out and gripped his am hand magh fat he whee

“Don’t,” she said quietly, eyes never leaving mine.

Thomas’s mouth snapped shut.

I watched them, noting Victoria’s absolute control over her husband He’d been about to say something praha menting stupid that would’ve revealed more than she wanted. Smart woman, shorting him down

“Here’s some advice,” I said, pulling my keys from my pocket. “When you’re in a hole, stop digging Because every w make just gives me more ammunition.”

Victoria’s smile returned, sharp and cold. “I know what to do. She looked at Thomas. “What are we doing here? Let’s en

inside.”

Thomas glanced at me, his expression unreadable in the afternoon light. Fear? Guild? Maybe both. He followed Victoria toward the building entrance without a word, his shoulders hunched like a man walking to the gallow

I watched them disappear through the glass doors before sliding into my car. The leather seat was hot from sitting in the sun, but I barely noticed. My mind was already moving to the next play.

The engine purred to life. I shifted into gear and pulled out of the parking lot, leaving Thomas’s building behind. Is the rearview mirror, I caught one last glimpse of Victoria through the lobby windows, her posture rigid as she waited for the

elevator.

She thought she had leverage. The contract, those photos, whatever other schemes she was cooking up. But leverage only worked when both parties were equally vulnerable.

And I wasn’t.

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1:49 pm

Chapter 311

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Falmouchers

The drive to the estate took longer than expected. Traffic crawled through downtown, giving me too much time to think about Victoria,

By the time I pulled through the gates, darkness had fully settled. The mansion loomed ahead, most windows dark except for the soft glow from upstairs where Olivia was probably still working.

Alfred met me at the door, taking my jacket without comment.

“Mrs. Carter is on the balcony, sir.”

I headed upstairs, loosening my tie. The balcony doors stood open, cool night air drifting through. Olivia stood at the railing, arms crossed, staring up at the sky.

“Hey.” I stepped outside, joining her at the railing. “How was work today?”

She glanced at me, a small smile playing at her lips. “Good, actually.”

“That’s great.”

“Yeah.” She turned back to the sky. “Though I spent most of my afternoon reading comments online about myself.”

“What kind of comments?”

“The usual bullshit. Gold digger. Slept her way to a promotion. Corporate spy feeding secrets to James.” Her voice was flat. detached. “People have very creative imaginations.”

“Liv-”

“Don’t.” She held up her hand. “I’m not looking for sympathy. Just stating facts.”

I moved closer, my hand finding the small of her back. “I saw them too. The comments, the articles, all of it.”

“Then you know how bad it is.”

“I know it’s temporary. Noise that’ll fade once something else catches people’s attention.”

She laughed bitterly. “You really believe that?”

“I believe you’re talented enough to prove every one of those fuckers wrong.” I turned her to face me. “The Thompson campaign succeeded because of your strategy. Cornerstone requested you specifically because of your work. That’s not luck or nepotism. That’s skill.”

“Skills everyone assumes came from sleeping with the boss.”

“Let them assume. You know the truth. I know the truth. The people who matter know the truth.”

Olivia stared at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she pulled away, moving back to the railing.

“I’m thinking about quitting.”

The words hit like a punch to the

gut.

“What?”

“You heard me. I want to quit.”

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Chapter 311

“Because of some online comments?”

“Because I’m tired of fighting this battle.” She turned to face me fully. “Every day, I walk into that office knowing people are whispering behind my back. Questioning whether I earned my position or just married well. It’s exhausting”

“So you’re just going to give up? Let Victoria and whoever else is spreading this shit win?”

I’m not giving up. I’m choosing a different path.”

I crossed my arms. “What path?”

“Starting my own company.” Her chin lifted slightly, defiant. “I’ve got the money you gave me for the contract. It’s enough seed capital to build something real. Something that’s mine, where nobody can question whether I earned my position.”

“You earned your position at Carter.”

“Did I?” She stepped closer. “Because from my perspective, it looks like I got promoted right after marrying you. And no matter how good my work is, that timing will always cast doubt.”

I wanted to argue, to tell her she was being irrational. But the exhaustion in her eyes stopped me.

“You’re letting them get in your head,” I said finally. “Making you doubt yourself when you shouldn’t.”

“Maybe. Or maybe I’m finally being honest about what this looks like from the outside.”

“I don’t give a fuck what it looks like from the outside.”

“Well, I do.” Her voice hardened. “Because I’m the one dealing with it every single day. Not you.”

Silence stretched between us, heavy with things unsaid.

“Don’t quit,” I said quietly. “Stay at Carter. Keep doing the work you’re brilliant at. And if you want to start a company too, I’ll help you.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“I know you don’t. But you could use resources. Connections. Capital beyond what you already have.”

“I said I don’t need it.” She moved past me toward the balcony doors. “I can do this on my own. And if I fuck it up, at least I tried. At least it’ll be mine.”

I caught her wrist gently, stopping her. “You won’t fail.”

She looked down at my hand, then up at my face. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because I’ve watched you work. Seen how your mind operates, how you strategize, and how you execute. You’re too good to fail.”

“People fail all the time, Alex. Talented people. Smart people. Good people. Failure doesn’t discriminate.”

“True. But you’re not most people.”

A ghost of a smile crossed her face. “Smooth talker.”

“I’m serious.” I released her wrist but didn’t step back. “You want to start your own company? Do it. Build something that’s completely yours. But don’t quit Carter out of spite or frustration. Stay because the work matters. Stay because you’re

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making a real mpact on major accounts”

And if the comments get worse

“Then fuck the comments. Let your results speak louder than any gossip ever could.”

Olivia studied me for a long moment, something shifting in her expression. Not quite agreement, but not resistance either.

“Let’s see what happens,” she said finally “For now, I’m not quitting. But I’m also not dismissing the startup idea.”

“Fair enough”