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

she’s coming

not worth discussing,” he cut me off.

to know what I’m dealing

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

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

discussing.” Alexander’s tone made it clear the subject was closed. “The point is, don’t worry about Penelope. I’ll

it’s my project,” I protested. “My

his voice softening slightly. “Your

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

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

really think so?” I asked,

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

myself. “I should hope

“I’ll meet with Andrew tomorrow, remind him why he chose us in the

I said firmly. “It’s

then nodded.

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

entirely sure. The Thompson account is valuable but not headline–worthy. There must

“Something like what?”

“But I

his profile, the sharp line of his jaw, the intensity in

he asked, catching me

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

It’s your project.” He paused, then added, “And you’re my wife. We’re a

circumstances. A team. I liked the sound of that more than

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

Alexander observed, glancing at me. “What are you

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

jaw tightened. “What

right after my presentation to Andrew Thompson? When the project is about to launch?” I turned to face him more fully. “Is

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

her strings?” I

But let’s not jump to conclusions until

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

connections at Carter Enterprises?” I

directly. But she’s resourceful and

know exactly when to

leak.” It wasn’t a

think the timing is