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.

Alexander continued, turning to the first woman, “I expected

on me. She fidgeted with her purse strap, avoiding his

didn’t send

I asked if

leaned close to my ear. “Who the hell are these

I

1/3

Chapter 69

forward, his presence commanding the space between

“Why should I? We all know what this is. Another

voice cut like a blade. “Think

tone made her falter. She

finally said, turning to me with a tight smile that didn’t

apology,” Alexander

“I’m sorry for spilling my drink on you and for what I

quickly. “Me too. I’m

I nodded stiffly, just

you. Olivia is

jealous,” Madison protested

would you call this little performance? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like two

decency to

off. “It ends now. And when you see Victoria, tell her if she has concerns about my relationship, she can

didn’t send us,” Madison

dismissively. “I know my cousin. This

women were friends of Alexander’s cousin Victoria–the same Victoria who stood to inherit the company if

tugging at Madison’s

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

she muttered, but allowed Stella to pull

if either of you

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

me, his expression