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

she’s coming after my

he

need to know what I’m

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 she never, ever forgets

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

tone made it clear the subject

project,” I protested.

me, his voice softening slightly. “Your

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

beats quantity,” Alexander said confidently. “Your strategy is innovative. Authentic. Penelope’s will be whatever focus groups tell her will sell, regardless of whether it

so?” I asked, needing

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

laughed despite myself.

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

should be there,” I said firmly.

a moment, then nodded.

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

“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

“Something like what?”

“But

through the evening traffic. I watched his profile, the sharp line of his jaw, the intensity

asked, catching

thank you. For including me

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

me despite the circumstances. A team. I liked the sound of

blur past, lost in thought about Penelope Langford. What was her angle? Why target the Thompson account specifically? It seemed too calculated to

glancing at me. “What

sudden interest in my project. It feels

tightened. “What

move right after my presentation to Andrew Thompson? When the project is about

ambitious, but

who’s pulling her strings?” I

But let’s not jump

possibilities. If

have connections at

“Not directly. But she’s

when to approach Andrew

there’s a leak.”

think the