The CEO's Contractual Wife

Olivia

“Or what?” the blonde challenged, crossing her arms. “You’ll throw your happy hour cocktails at us?”

“Don’t tempt me,” Emilia growled, taking a half–step forward.

The first woman smirked. “We’re just trying to save your friend some heartbreak. Alexander Carter has a type, you know. Pretty, naive, easily manipulated.”

“I am not easily manipulated,” I snapped, my hands balling into fists.

“That’s exactly what someone easily manipulated would say,” the blonde replied with fake sympathy.

Ariana moved closer to me. “Look, we don’t know who you are, and frankly, we don’t care. But you’ve ruined our night and my friend’s top, so please just go.”

“Make us,” the first woman challenged, lifting her chin.

Before any of us could respond, a familiar deep voice cut through the tension.

“Madison. Stella. That’s enough.”

My head whipped around to see Alexander standing at the edge of our table, his expression thunderous. He wore a charcoal suit that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, looking every inch the powerful CEO despite the late hour.

The two women paled visibly. Their superior smirks vanished instantly, replaced by wide–eyed alarm. The blonde took a half–step back, nearly stumbling into a nearby chair.

“Alexander,” the first woman said, her voice suddenly small. “We were just-”

“Harassing my girlfriend?” Alexander’s voice was dangerously calm as he moved to stand beside me. His hand found the small of my back, warm and steadying. “I could hear you from across the bar.”

The club had fallen eerily quiet, dozens of eyes watching the drama unfold. I felt my cheeks burn under the collective stare.

“We were only telling her the truth,” the blonde said, lifting her chin despite her obvious discomfort.

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “Madison, the only truth here is that you’re making a scene and embarrassing yourself.”

Madison. So the blonde was Madison. I filed away the name, studying her face more carefully now.

woman, “I expected better from you. Does Victoria know you’re

her drink on me. She fidgeted

didn’t send

ask if she sent you. I asked if she knows you’re here,

to my ear. “Who the hell are

idea,” I whispered

1/3

Chapter 69

presence commanding the space between us and the two women. “Apologize to

I? We all know what this is. Another one of

a blade.

falter. She glanced at Stella, who looked

to me with a tight smile that didn’t reach her

not an apology,”

spilling my drink on you and

quickly. “Me too.

stiffly, just wanting this humiliating

said. “Now listen carefully, both of you. Olivia is

not jealous,” Madison protested weakly.

little performance? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like two women with too much

the decency to look embarrassed.

if

send

it,” Alexander said dismissively. “I know my cousin. This has her

friends of Alexander’s cousin Victoria–the

go,” Stella said, tugging at Madison’s arm.

more, but something in Alexander’s expression made her

she muttered, but allowed Stella to

is,” Alexander called after them. “And if either

the exit, whispering furiously to each other. The moment they disappeared, the bar erupted back into conversation, everyone pretending they hadn’t been watching

his expression