BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

MRS CARTER AT CARTER'S GROUP

Chapter 13 – Mrs. Carter at Carter Group

The following Monday morning, Carter Manor was already bustling with activity before sunrise. Ethan had an important board meeting scheduled, while Olivia was helping Anna arrange fresh flowers in the living room.

"You have a beautiful eye for flowers, Mrs. Carter," Anna said with a smile.

Olivia laughed softly.

"My mother loved flowers. Every Saturday she made Mason and me help her decorate our little house."

"I'm sure she would be proud of you."

Olivia smiled but said nothing.

Just then, Ethan walked into the living room wearing a charcoal-gray tailored suit, his silver watch resting neatly against his wrist. His calm expression carried the confidence of a man who commanded billion-dollar companies with a few words.

He stopped when he saw Olivia.

She was wearing a simple cream blouse tucked into a light blue pencil skirt. Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and she wore only a pair of pearl earrings.

She looked elegant without trying.

"You look ready," Olivia said with a smile.

"So do you."

She looked down at her clothes.

"I'm just wearing something simple."

"It suits you."

Olivia smiled.

"Thank you."

William entered carrying his morning coffee.

"I see my grandson has started giving compliments."

Ethan sighed.

"Grandfather."

William laughed.

"What? I'm only telling the truth."

Olivia couldn't help laughing.

The sound made Ethan glance at her for a brief moment before looking away.

Daniel appeared at the entrance.

"Sir, the car is ready."

Ethan picked up his briefcase before turning toward Olivia.

"Come with me today."

She blinked.

"To your office?"

"Yes."

"Won't I be in the way?"

"No."

He answered so quickly that even he seemed surprised.

"You'll have to attend company functions with me in the future."

She nodded.

"I suppose I should learn."

William smiled proudly.

"I like that idea."

A few minutes later, the Rolls Royce stopped in front of Carter Group's headquarters.

Olivia slowly stepped out of the car.

Her eyes widened.

The glass skyscraper stretched high into the sky, reflecting the morning sunlight like a giant crystal.

"It's enormous."

Ethan looked at the building.

"You'll get used to it."

"I think that's what you always say."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Because it's usually true."

As they entered the lobby, every employee immediately stood.

"Good morning, Mr. Carter."

Their voices echoed throughout the building.

Some employees secretly looked at Olivia.

"So that's Mrs. Carter."

"She's even prettier than the wedding photos."

"They look perfect together."

Olivia moved a little closer to Ethan.

"So many people."

"They're only curious."

The elevator doors opened.

Inside were several senior executives waiting for Ethan.

The moment they saw Olivia, they smiled politely.

"Congratulations on your marriage, Mr. Carter."

"Thank you," Ethan replied.

One of the executives turned toward Olivia.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Mrs. Carter."

Olivia smiled warmly and shook his hand.

"The pleasure is mine."

Another executive smiled.

"We've heard wonderful things about you already."

Olivia looked surprised.

"You have?"

"The staff at Carter Manor can't stop talking about how kind you are."

She laughed shyly.

"I hope only good things."

"Only good things."

When the elevator reached the top floor, Ethan led Olivia into his private office.

She stopped in amazement.

The office overlooked the entire city through floor-to-ceiling windows. Modern artwork decorated the walls, while shelves filled with awards and business trophies lined one side of the room.

"This view is incredible."

Ethan placed his briefcase on the desk.

"I spend too much time looking at it."

She turned toward him.

"You work too hard."

He smiled faintly.

"I've been told that before."

A gentle knock interrupted them.

"Come in."

Daniel entered.

"The board members have arrived."

Ethan nodded.

"I'll be there shortly."

He looked at Olivia.

"The lounge next door is yours. There's coffee, books, and anything else you might need."

She smiled.

"I'll be fine."

Before leaving, Ethan paused at the door.

"If you need anything..."

She finished his sentence with a smile.

"I'll call Daniel."

He nodded before leaving for the meeting.

Nearly an hour later, Olivia decided to explore the executive floor.

She noticed a young receptionist struggling to carry several heavy boxes of documents.

Without hesitation, Olivia hurried over.

"Let me help you."

The young woman looked startled.

"Mrs. Carter, I couldn't possibly ask you."

"You didn't."

Olivia smiled as she picked up one of the boxes.

"I'm offering."

Together they carried the files to the records room.

"Thank you so much," the receptionist said.

"I've been trying to move these all morning."

"It wasn't a problem."

The receptionist smiled.

"I thought marrying into the Carter family would make someone... different."

Olivia laughed softly.

"I'm still the same Olivia."

Unbeknownst to her, several employees had witnessed the exchange.

One whispered,

"She actually helped carry boxes."

Another smiled.

"She's nothing like the people we usually see."

By lunchtime, word had spread throughout the entire building.

Everyone was saying the same thing.

Mrs. Carter wasn't just beautiful.

She was kind.

And without realizing it

She was slowly winning the hearts of everyone at Carter Group

Olivia had just returned to Ethan's office when Daniel walked in carrying a tablet.

"Mrs. Carter."

She looked up from the book she had been reading.

"Yes, Daniel?"

"Mr. Carter asked me to let you know the meeting is almost over."

She smiled.

"I hope it went well."

Daniel chuckled.

"It always does. The board has learned not to argue with him for too long."

Before Olivia could reply, the office doors opened.

Ethan walked in with several board members following behind him.

The executives were discussing business until they noticed Olivia standing by the window.

She greeted them with a warm smile.

"Good afternoon."

One by one, they greeted her politely before leaving Ethan's office.

As the last executive stepped out, an elderly man remained behind.

He smiled kindly.

"So you're the woman who finally convinced Ethan to get married."

Olivia laughed softly.

"I don't know if 'convinced' is the right word."

The man laughed.

"I'm Richard Collins, one of the company's directors."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Collins."

He nodded approvingly.

"I've worked with Ethan for nearly fifteen years."

He looked toward Ethan with a smile.

"I've never seen him leave a meeting on time."

Olivia looked surprised.

"He did today."

"He said he had lunch plans with his wife."

Olivia turned toward Ethan.

"You ended the meeting early?"

"It was finished."

Richard raised an eyebrow.

"Usually he starts another meeting immediately afterward."

Ethan calmly picked up his suit jacket.

"Things change."

Richard smiled knowingly before walking out.

The moment the door closed, Olivia looked at Ethan.

"You really shortened your work because of me?"

He adjusted his watch.

"I promised I'd spend the day with you."

"You didn't have to."

"I keep my promises."

She smiled.

"I've noticed."

Ethan picked up his car keys.

"Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"Lunch."

They left the executive floor together, and as they entered the elevator, several employees smiled and greeted them.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Carter."

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Carter."

Olivia greeted everyone back, making each person smile.

One young intern whispered after the elevator doors closed.

"She's so friendly."

"I've never seen a chairman's wife greet every employee."

Outside the building, Ethan led Olivia to a small Italian restaurant tucked away on a quiet street.

She looked around in surprise.

"This isn't what I expected."

"What were you expecting?"

"A private five-star restaurant."

He smiled faintly.

"The food here is better."

The owner, an elderly Italian man, looked up from the counter and immediately smiled.

"Ethan!"

Ethan walked over and shook his hand.

"It's been a while."

"It certainly has."

The old man noticed Olivia.

"And who is this beautiful young lady?"

"My wife."

The owner's face lit up.

"So the rumors are true."

He warmly shook Olivia's hand.

"Welcome. Any woman who can convince Ethan to take a day off deserves free dessert."

Olivia laughed.

"I don't think I convinced him."

The owner winked.

"That's exactly what someone humble would say."

They sat near the window, away from the lunchtime crowd.

After placing their order, Olivia looked at Ethan.

"So..."

"So?"

"Do you come here often?"

"I used to."

"When?"

"Before I became chairman."

She rested her chin on her hand.

"I like hearing stories about the younger Ethan."

"There aren't many."

"I'm sure there are."

He thought for a moment.

"My mother used to bring me here after school."

Olivia listened quietly.

"She always ordered too much food because she believed growing boys were always hungry."

She smiled.

"She sounds wonderful."

"She was."

For a brief moment, sadness crossed Ethan's eyes.

Olivia reached across the table and gently rested her hand over his.

"You must miss her."

He looked down at their hands.

"I do."

Neither of them moved.

The touch was simple.

Comforting.

Natural.

When the waiter arrived with their meals, Olivia quickly withdrew her hand, suddenly realizing what she had done.

"I... I'm sorry."

Ethan looked at her.

"You don't have to apologize."

Lunch passed with easy conversation, laughter, and stories from their childhoods.

Olivia spoke about helping Mason with homework and learning to cook from her mother.

Ethan shared stories about William teaching him to ride horses and his first disastrous attempt at making pancakes when he was ten years old.

"You burned them?" Olivia asked, trying not to laugh.

"They caught fire."

She burst into laughter.

"I'm sorry..."

"No, you're not."

"I'm really trying to be."

He watched her laugh, and before he realized it...

He was laughing too.

The restaurant owner looked toward their table and smiled.

"That's the first time I've seen Ethan laugh in years."

As they walked back to the car that afternoon, Olivia glanced at Ethan.

"I had a wonderful day."

"So did I."

The words came so naturally that they both paused.

For a second, they simply looked at each other.

Then Olivia smiled.

"I'm glad."

As Daniel opened the car door, he quietly noticed something different.

When they had arrived that morning, Ethan and Olivia had walked side by side.

Now...

Without thinking...

They were walking hand in hand.

Neither of them had noticed when their fingers found each other.

Neither of them seemed eager to let go.

And for the first time since their contract marriage had begun

Their closeness no longer felt like an act.

It was becoming something real.