The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 321

Chapter 321

Chapter 321

Olivia

“Your grandfather knows about the contract,” I repeated, keeping my voice casual. “Has known since the day we signed it

“How?” His jaw clenched. “How the hell does he know?”

I shrugged, taking another sip of water. The cold liquid felt good against my suddenly dry throat. “He didn’t explain the mechanics. Just said he knew. That he’d been watching to see if we’d actually stay together.

Alexander set his coffee down. “And Victoria has a copy.”

“Actually,” I leaned forward, “your grandfather didn’t seem angry. More like… curious? He said he doesn’t care how we got into the marriage. Just whether we’ll stay in it.”

Alexander blinked. “He said that?”

“His exact words were that he’s waiting to see if what started as business becomes something real.”

“So he knew all along and just… let us play this out?”

“Apparently. He also said I wouldn’t have signed the contract if I didn’t already like you.”

“He said that?”

“Yep. Pretty much called me too smart to marry someone I didn’t have feelings for, money or not.

He leaned back in his chair, processing. “That crafty old man.”

“Right? Here we were, thinking we were so clever.”

“And he’s been watching us this whole time.” Alexander shook his head slowly. “Testing me.”

“Us,” I corrected. “Testing us.”

“Okay, but hold on.” He picked up his coffee again. “Victoria has the contract. She could still use it against us.”

“She could. But your grandfather knows. So what power does she really have?” I said. “The only person who mattered already figured it out.”

Alexander was quiet for a moment, his fingers drumming on the table. Then, unexpectedly, he laughed. “We’ve been stressing over this for weeks.”

“Months, technically.”

“And the old man knew the entire time.”

“Playing chess while we were playing checkers,” I agreed.

His laughter faded into a genuine smile. “You don’t seem bothered by this.”

“Why would I be? We already decided to make this real, remember? The contract doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Right.” His hand found mine across the table. “It doesn’t.”

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Chapter 221

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How His and Her As

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long and just on play this out

also said I wouldn’t have signed the contract if I didelt decaty the you

1. p. Pretty much called me too smart to marry someone I didn’t have feelings for money or sot

He leaned back in his chair, processing, “That crafty dá man

Right? Here we were, thinking, we were so dever

And he’s been watching us this whole time! Alexander shook his head slowly Testing me

Us, I corrected. “Testing us

Okay, but hold on. He picked up his coffee again. “Victoria has the contract. She could will use it aga

She could. But your grandfather knows. So what power does she really have? I said “The only person who marred abrady gured it out!

Alexander was quiet for a moment, his fingers drumming on the table. Then, unexpectedly, he laughed. We’ve been stressing over this for weeks

‘Months, technically

And the old man knew the entire time?

“Playing chess while we were playing checkers, I agreed.

His laughter faded into a genuine smile. “You don’t seem bothered by this

“Why would I be? We already decided to ma

“Right” His hand found mine

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mber? The contract doesn’t matter anymore.

8:26 am M

Chapter 321

“Besides,” I added, “Your grandfather basically gave us his blessing, Said he wants to see how the marriage progresses O

the next few months.”

“No pressure or anything.”

“None at all.” I squeezed his fingers. Just our entire future hanging in the balance?

Alexander brought my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “We’ll be fine

“Confident much?”

“About this? About us?” His eyes met mine, steady and sure. “Absolutely

The tension that had been coiling in my chest since Harold’s revelation finally loosened “Good. Becane I’m so gring anywhere.”

“Neither am I.”

We sat there for a moment, hands linked across the table, the morning sun warming our backs. The whole nation felt absurd. His grandfather knew. Victoria had ammunition. And yet somehow, none of it mattered as much as it should have.

“Want to hit some golf balls?” Alexander asked suddenly.

I laughed. “I’ve never played golf in my life.”

“Perfect time to learn.” He stood, pulling me up with him. “Come on. I’ll teach you.”

“This is going to be a disaster.”

“Probably.” His grin was infectious. “But it’ll be fun.”

We walked back through the clubhouse, Alexander’s hand never leaving the small of my back. Members nodded greetings as we passed, and I caught more than a few curious glances.

Outside, the pro shop attendant looked up when we entered. “Mr. Carter. Need something?

‘Clubs for my wife. Women’s set, intermediate.”

The attendant disappeared into the back room while I examined the rows of equipment lining the walls. Golf shoes, bags, gloves, accessories, I couldn’t even name them.

“This is an expensive hobby,” I observed.

“Everything at this club is expensive.” Alexander picked up a putter and tested its weight. “That’s kind of the point.”

The attendant returned with a sleek white bag. “This should work. The clubs are adjustable if needed

Alexander inspected them briefly before nodding his approval. “These are good. Thanks”

We headed out to the driving range, where several other members were already practicing. The morning air smelled like fresh–cut grass and that particular scent of wealth that seemed to permeate every inch of this place.

“Okay,” Alexander set my bag down near a mat. “First lesson: stance.”

He positioned himself behind me, his hands on my hips. “Feet shoulder–width apart. Knees slightly bent.”

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3:26 am

Chapter 321

I adjusted my position, hyper–aware of his body pressed against mine. “Like this?”

‘Perfect. His hands slid up to my shoulders. ‘Now relax. You’re too tense.”

“Hard to relax when you’re touching me like that.

His breath was warm against my ear. “Focus, Mrs. Carter.

188

Babuchere

He handed me a club, a seven iron according to the label, and showed me how to grip it properly. “Interlock your fingers. No, like this. He adjusted my hands, his fingers lingering.

“You’re a terrible teacher.” I said.

“Why’s that?”

“Because you keep distracting me.”

His chest shook with silent laughter against my back. “Fair point. Okay, serious now. Watch the ball. Keep your eye on it the

entire time.”

He guided my arms through the motion, a slow practice swing that felt completely unnatural. My shoulders protested the position, and my wrists felt stiff.

‘Loosen up,” he murmured. “Golf is about fluidity, not force.”

‘Easy for you to say. You’ve been playing since you could walk.”

“Grandfather had me on the course from a young age.” He adjusted my elbow. “Said it built character.”

“Did it work?”

“What do you think?”

I twisted to look at him. “I think you’re still figuring that out.”

His expression softened. “Maybe.”

We went through several more practice swings before he finally let me try hitting an actual ball. He placed one on the tee, stepped back, and gestured for me to proceed.

“Remember: smooth swing, keep your eye on the ball.”

I addressed the ball like he’d taught me, drew back the club, and swung. The club whistled through the air, missed the ball completely, and nearly threw me off balance.

“Okay,” Alexander said diplomatically. “That was… a good effort.”

“I missed by like six inches.”

“More like eight, but who’s counting?” He repositioned me. “Try again. This time, don’t try to kill it. Just make contact

My second swing connected with the very top of the ball, sending it dribbling about ten feet forward.

“Progress!” Alexander declared.

“That was pathetic.”

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