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.

continued, turning to the first woman, “I expected better from

on me.

send us,”

she sent you. I asked if

close to my ear. “Who the hell are these

idea,” I whispered

1/3

Chapter 69

space between us

her arms. “Why should I? We all know what this

Alexander’s voice cut like a blade. “Think very

tone made her falter. She glanced at

smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I apologize for

an apology,” Alexander

“I’m sorry for spilling my drink on you

quickly. “Me

rang hollow, but I nodded stiffly, just wanting this

“Now listen carefully, both of you. Olivia is my girlfriend. She deserves your

not jealous,” Madison protested

“Then what would you call this little performance? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like two women with too much time and

at least had the decency to look embarrassed. “We

tell her if she has concerns about my relationship, she can address them to me directly instead of sending

send us,”

know my cousin. This has her fingerprints all

pieces clicked into place. These women were friends of Alexander’s cousin Victoria–the same Victoria who stood to inherit the company if

at Madison’s arm. “Come on,

like she wanted to say more, but something in Alexander’s expression made her think

muttered, but allowed Stella to pull

“And if either of you approaches

moment they disappeared, the bar erupted back into conversation, everyone

to me, his expression softening.