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

if she’s coming after

worth discussing,” he

need to know what I’m dealing

hand through his hair. “Fine. She’s evil. Pure evil wrapped in designer clothes with a smile that could charm the devil

at him, taken aback by the venom in his

it clear the subject was closed. “The point is, don’t worry

my project,” I protested.

he assured me, his voice softening slightly. “Your presentation was flawless. Andrew Thompson loved your

concern, I felt a flutter of pride at his words. “But twice

innovative. Authentic. Penelope’s will be whatever focus groups tell

so?” I asked, needing the

over and squeezed my hand briefly. “There’s a reason I promoted you, Liv. And it wasn’t just because you

despite myself. “I should

tomorrow,

I said firmly. “It’s my

for a moment, then nodded. “You’re right.

better. “So what’s

frowned. “I’m not entirely sure. The Thompson account is valuable but not headline–worthy. There must be something else going on that I’m not seeing

“Something like what?”

know,” he admitted. “But I intend to find

I watched his profile, the sharp line of his jaw, the intensity in his eyes as he

he asked, catching me

you. For including me

paused, then added, “And you’re my wife.

A team. I

in thought about Penelope Langford. What was her angle? Why target the Thompson account specifically? It seemed too

quiet,” Alexander observed, glancing at me. “What are you

behind Penelope’s sudden interest

“What do you

just strange timing. She makes her move right after my presentation to Andrew Thompson? When the project is about to launch?” I turned to face him more fully. “Is she working alone, or is someone feeding

darkened. “Penelope is ambitious, but she doesn’t usually

pulling her strings?”

let’s not jump to conclusions

mind raced with possibilities. If someone was deliberately targeting my

connections at Carter Enterprises?” I asked

“Not directly. But she’s

exactly when to

a leak.”

think the timing