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.

“Let’s not

coming after my

worth discussing,” he cut me off. “Trust

to know what

with a smile that could charm the devil

the venom in his voice. “Wow. And you almost

discussing.” Alexander’s tone made it clear the subject was

I protested. “My reputation on

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

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

will be whatever focus groups tell her will sell,

so?” I asked, needing the

“There’s a reason I promoted you, Liv. And it wasn’t just because you look

laughed despite myself.

about Penelope,” he repeated. “I’ll meet with Andrew tomorrow, remind him

should be there,” I said firmly. “It’s my

then nodded. “You’re right. We’ll

in my seat, feeling a little better. “So what’s Penelope’s angle here? Why make a

but not headline–worthy. There must be something else

“Something like what?”

know,” he admitted. “But I intend

again as 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

he asked, catching me

“Just… thank you.

your project.” He paused, then added, “And you’re my

a strange warmth through me despite the circumstances. A team. I liked the sound of

past, lost in thought about Penelope Langford. What was her angle? Why

quiet,” Alexander observed, glancing at me.

who’s behind Penelope’s sudden interest in my project. It

“What

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

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

who’s pulling her

But let’s not jump

through the Sunday evening traffic. My mind raced with possibilities. If someone was deliberately targeting my project, was it because of me specifically? Or was it

have connections at Carter Enterprises?” I

this. “Not directly. But she’s

when to approach Andrew Thompson with

leak.” It wasn’t

the timing is