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

if she’s coming after my

he

to know what I’m

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

aback by the venom in his voice.

I said, not worth discussing.” Alexander’s tone made it clear the subject was closed.

project,” I protested. “My

did brilliant work,” he assured me, his voice softening slightly. “Your presentation was flawless. Andrew Thompson loved your vision for

felt a flutter of pride at his

said confidently. “Your strategy is innovative. Authentic. Penelope’s will be whatever focus groups tell her will sell, regardless

think so?” I

and squeezed my hand briefly. “There’s a reason I promoted

despite myself. “I should

with Andrew tomorrow, remind him

be there,” I said firmly. “It’s my

then

feeling a little better. “So what’s Penelope’s angle here? Why make a play for this

account is valuable but not headline–worthy. There must be something else

“Something like what?”

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

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

he asked,

quickly. “Just… thank you. For

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

circumstances. A

stared out 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

observed, glancing at

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

jaw tightened. “What

about to launch?” I turned to face him more fully. “Is she working alone, or is someone feeding her

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

her

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 targeting my project, was it because of me specifically? Or was it about

she have connections at Carter Enterprises?” I asked

considered this. “Not directly. But she’s resourceful and

exactly when to approach Andrew Thompson with

think there’s a leak.” It wasn’t

the