The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 159

Olivia

I watched his profile, the way his jaw clenched and his fingers tightened on the steering wheel. The perfect weekend bubble had officially burst.

“So…” I ventured after a moment of tense silence. “Penelope Langford.”

His eyes remained fixed on the road. “My ex.”

“I gathered that much,” I said, shifting in my seat to face him better. “What I don’t understand is why she’s suddenly interested in the Thompson account. It’s not exactly front–page news.”

“It’s not about the account,” Alexander said flatly. “It’s about you.”

“Me?” I blinked in surprise. “What did I do?”

“You married me.”

The car accelerated slightly as we merged onto the freeway, the engine purring with suppressed power much like Alexander himself.

“So this is what, payback?” I asked, trying to understand. “She loses you, so she tries to steal my project?”

Alexander’s laugh was short and humorless. “Welcome to high–stakes business in Los Angeles. Everything is personal, especially when it pretends not to be.”

I frowned, processing this. “But how would she even know I was leading the Thompson account?”

“Because she makes it her business to know everything about Carter Enterprises.” Alexander changed lanes smoothly, overtaking a slower car. “Especially now.”

“Because of our marriage,” I concluded.

“Exactly.”

We drove in silence for a few minutes, the city lights blurring past my window. The perfect weekend at the Malibu house seemed like a distant memory now.

“You’re too quiet,” Alexander said finally. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking my professional success is now a target because of who I married,” I said carefully. “That’s not what I signed up for.”

Alexander glanced over at me. “Having second thoughts about being Mrs. Carter?”

“No,” I said quickly, then paused. “Maybe. I don’t know. I didn’t realize I’d have a target on my back.”

“You’re married to me,” he said simply. “Of course, you have a target on your back.”

“Is Penelope always this vindictive?” I asked.

darkened. “Let’s not talk about

coming after my

discussing,” he cut me off.

to know what I’m

smile that could charm the devil himself. She’s ruthless, calculating, and has the emotional depth of a kiddie pool.

taken aback by the venom in his voice. “Wow. And you

I said, not worth discussing.” Alexander’s tone made it clear the subject was

project,” I protested. “My reputation

you did brilliant work,” he assured me, his voice softening slightly. “Your presentation was

felt a flutter of pride at his words. “But

is innovative. Authentic. Penelope’s will be

so?” I asked, needing the

my hand briefly. “There’s a reason I promoted you, Liv.

laughed despite myself.

Andrew tomorrow, remind him why he chose us

I said firmly.

for a moment, then nodded. “You’re

my seat, feeling a little better. “So what’s Penelope’s angle

“I’m not entirely sure. The Thompson account is valuable but not

“Something like what?”

he admitted. “But

Alexander navigated through the evening traffic. I watched his profile, the sharp line of his jaw, the intensity in his eyes as he focused on the road ahead. Whatever history he had with Penelope, it clearly

asked,

said quickly. “Just… thank you. For including me in tomorrow’s

softened. “Of course. It’s your project.” He paused, then added,

warmth through me despite the circumstances. A team. I liked the sound of that more than I probably

Penelope Langford. What was her angle? Why target

glancing at me.

sudden interest in my

tightened. “What do you

her move right after my presentation to Andrew Thompson? When the project is about to launch?” I turned to

“Penelope is ambitious, but she doesn’t usually make moves this strategic

her strings?”

let’s not jump to conclusions

with possibilities. If someone was deliberately targeting my project, was it because of

she have connections at Carter

this. “Not directly. But she’s resourceful and

to know exactly when to approach Andrew Thompson

there’s a leak.” It

think the timing