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 not talk

coming after my

discussing,” he

need to know what

She’s evil. Pure evil wrapped in designer clothes with a smile that could charm

taken aback by the venom in his

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

it’s my project,” I protested. “My reputation on the

voice softening slightly. “Your presentation was flawless. Andrew Thompson

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

is innovative. Authentic. Penelope’s will be

really think 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

myself. “I

Andrew tomorrow, remind him why he chose us in the first

should be there,” I

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

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

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

“Something like what?”

know,” he admitted. “But I intend to

his profile, the sharp line of his jaw, the intensity in his eyes as he focused on the road ahead. Whatever history he had with Penelope, it

asked,

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

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

warmth through me despite the circumstances. A team. I liked the sound of that more than I probably

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

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

sudden interest in my

jaw tightened. “What

When the project is about to launch?” I turned to

expression darkened. “Penelope is ambitious, but she

who’s pulling her

not jump to

fell silent again as Alexander navigated 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

at Carter Enterprises?”

“Not directly. But she’s

exactly when to approach Andrew Thompson with a

think there’s a leak.” It

the