The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 320

Chapter 320

Chapter 320

Olivia

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Harold finished his coffee and set the cup down with deliberate precision. “Well, aren’t you going to play? Or did you just come here to watch an old man drink coffee?”

“Actually, I was thinking of showing Olivia the course,” Alexander replied. “She’s never played before.”

Harold’s eyebrows shot up. “Never? How’d you two get this far without discovering that?”

“We’ve been… busy with other things,” Alexander said.

I felt heat creep up my neck at the implication in his tone.

Harold chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. “Well, better late than never. Alex, show her the basics. I’m heading out anyway.” He glanced at his watch. “Got a regular checkup this afternoon. Doctor’s orders.”

“You feeling okay?” I asked, concerned.

“Just routine maintenance.” He waved off my worry. “When you get to be my age, they like to poke and prod you every few months to make sure all the parts are still working.”

“Smart to keep up with it,” I said.

Harold nodded, then fixed me with that sharp gaze. “Olivia, follow me to the car for a moment. Need to have a word with you.”

Alexander glanced between us, his expression unreadable.

“Stay here, Alexander,” Harold said, already wheeling toward the exit. “This won’t take long.”

“Okay,” Alexander replied, settling back into his chair.

I followed Harold through the clubhouse, my heels clicking against the polished floors. Members nodded greetings as we passed, but Harold didn’t stop to chat. Whatever he wanted to discuss, he was focused.

Outside, the valet had already brought his specially equipped car around. The sun beat down on the asphalt, making the air shimmer.

Harold wheeled to a stop near the passenger side, turning to face me. “How’s Alexander treating you?”

The question caught me off guard. “He’s… he treats me well.”

“That’s not what I asked.” Harold’s eyes narrowed. “I asked how he’s treating you. Is he good to you? Respectful? Caring?”

I felt my cheeks warm. “Yes. Very much so. He’s been wonderful, actually.”

“Good.” Harold nodded slowly. “Because if he wasn’t, you’d tell me, wouldn’t you?”

9:27 Mon, Apr 6

Chapter 320

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“I would.” The words came out more confidently than I felt. “But I promise, everything is good. Alexander is treating me well.”

Harold studied me for a long moment, his weathered face unreadable. Then he leaned forward slightly. “I got information that Victoria got a copy of your contract.”

My blood turned to ice. My mind raced, trying to process what he’d just said. Contract? How did he know about the contract? My face must have betrayed my shock because Harold’s expression softened slightly.

“What contract?” I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Harold’s lips twitched. “Your contractual marriage documents with Alexander. The arrangement you two made to satisfy my requirement.”

My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst through my chest. He knew. He’d known all along.

“I…” Words failed me. How was I supposed to respond to this?

“Relax,” Harold said, his voice surprisingly gentle. “I’ve known about the contract since the day you both signed it.”

“You knew?” My voice cracked. “This whole time?”

“Course I knew. You think I got to be old and built Carter Enterprises by being blind to what happens under my nose?” He wheeled closer. “I was testing Alexander’s capacity for change. Seeing how long he could stay in a marriage, even one that started as a business.”

I pressed my hand against the car door for support. “If you already knew, why didn’t you ask Alexander about it?”

“Because I don’t care how he got into the marriage.” Harold’s expression turned serious. “What I want is for Alexander to get married and have kids, so this company will continue into the next generation. Staying in the marriage is what’s important.”

He paused, his gaze piercing.

“And here’s the thing, Olivia. Even if Alexander showed you money or whatever terms are in that contract, you wouldn’t have accepted if you didn’t like him. Money alone isn’t enough to make a smart woman like you sign your life away for a year.”

My throat tightened. He was right, in a way I hadn’t fully admitted to myself.

“I’ll wait a few more months,” Harold continued, “to see how the marriage progresses. See if what started as a business becomes something real.”

“What if Victoria uses the contract against us?” I asked quietly.

“Let her try.” Harold’s smile was cold. “Victoria’s playing a game she can’t win. Alexander knows what he’s doing. And you…” He studied my face. “You’re stronger than you think. Don’t let Victoria or anyone else make you feel less than.”

9:27 Mon, Apr 6

Chapter 320

I nodded, my mind still reeling from this conversation.

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“Now go back inside,” Harold said, wheeling toward his car. “Alexander’s probably wondering what I dragged you out here to discuss.”

“Thank you,” I said. “For… for understanding.”

“Nothing to thank me for yet. Just prove me right about you two. That’s all I ask.”

He waved as his car pulled away, leaving me standing in the parking lot trying to process everything.

Harold had known. From the beginning.

And he didn’t care about the arrangement. He cared about whether we’d stay together.

I walked back into the clubhouse, my mind spinning. Alexander was still at the table, scrolling through his phone. He looked up when I approached.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yeah.” I forced a smile. “Just wanted to make sure I was taking care of you properly.”

Alexander’s eyebrows rose. “That’s all?”

“That’s all.” I sat down, reaching for my water glass.

The cold condensation felt good against my palm. I took a long sip, buying myself a few seconds to think. Harold’s words echoed in my head. He knew. From the beginning. The whole time we’d been playing this careful game, performing for the family, he’d been watching us like we were actors in a play he’d already read.

Alexander was still staring at me, his eyes searching my face. “You’re hiding something.”

I set the glass down carefully. “It’s nothing much. Your grandfather knows about our contractual marriage. The day we signed.”

The words came out casual, almost flippant. Like I was commenting on the weather instead of dropping a bomb that should’ve sent Alexander into a panic.

He went completely still. Not the kind of stillness that came from relaxation, but the frozen moment before an explosion. His fingers tightened around his coffee cup, knuckles going white. “What?” The word came out flat, disbelieving.