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 talk about

coming

worth discussing,” he cut me off.

I need to know what

running a hand through his hair. “Fine. She’s evil. Pure evil wrapped in designer clothes with a smile that could charm the devil himself. She’s ruthless, calculating, and has the emotional depth of a kiddie pool. And

at him, taken aback by the venom in his voice. “Wow. And you almost

subject

project,” I protested. “My reputation on the

me, his voice softening slightly. “Your presentation was flawless. Andrew

a flutter of pride at his words. “But twice the advertising budget

Alexander said confidently. “Your strategy is innovative. Authentic. Penelope’s will be whatever

so?” I asked,

know so.” Alexander reached over and squeezed my hand briefly. “There’s a reason I promoted you, Liv. And it wasn’t

despite myself. “I should

he repeated. “I’ll meet with Andrew tomorrow, remind him why

there,” I

considered this for a moment, then nodded. “You’re right. We’ll go

a little better. “So what’s Penelope’s angle here? Why

“I’m not entirely sure. The Thompson account is valuable but not headline–worthy. There must

“Something like what?”

don’t know,” he admitted. “But I

evening traffic. I watched his profile, the sharp line of his jaw, the intensity in his eyes as he focused

he asked, catching me

thank you. For

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

through me despite the circumstances. A team. I liked

the window, watching the city lights blur past, lost in thought about Penelope Langford. What was her angle? Why target the Thompson account specifically? It seemed

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

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

“What

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

darkened. “Penelope is ambitious, but she

pulling her strings?”

have my suspicions. But let’s not jump to conclusions until we have

through the Sunday evening traffic. My mind raced with possibilities. If someone was deliberately

at Carter

“Not directly. But she’s resourceful and

to approach Andrew

think there’s a leak.” It wasn’t a

think the