The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 174

Chapter 174

After my second glass of wine, I found myself stifling a yawn. The adrenaline from the confrontation with Ryan had worn off, leaving exhaustion in its wake.

“Getting sleepy there, Liv?” Emilia asked, noticing my struggle to stay engaged.

“Just been a long day,” I admitted, checking the time on my phone. Nearly midnight. “I should probably head home soon.”

“But we’ve barely started girls‘ night!” Ariana protested, already signaling the waitress for another round.

“I hate to say it, but I think tonight’s girls‘ night is kind of shot,” I said with an apologetic smile. “Between Ryan’s drama and these two crashing the party…” I tilted my head toward Alexander, who looked completely unrepentant.

Claire pouted dramatically. “Fine, abandon us for your gorgeous husband. We understand.”

“We’ll plan another night soon,” I promised, gathering my purse. “One without ex–boyfriend ambushes and surprise husband appearances.”

“Good luck with that,” Emilia snorted. “Your life seems to be nothing but surprises lately.”

If she only knew the half of it.

“Come on,” I said, standing up and smoothing my dress. “I’ll text you tomorrow and we’ll set something up.”

The girls exchanged knowing glances before nodding in unison. “Alright,” Emilia conceded. “Go home with your hot husband. We’ll survive somehow.”

“Thanks for understanding,” I said, giving each of them a quick hug.

nice meeting you all,” Alexander said politely, shaking hands with Claire and Ariana before giving Emilia a brief

finger at him. “She’s our favorite

Alexander replied with a smile

crowded bar toward the exit. Alexander’s hand

bar. I took a deep breath, letting it clear my head

asked as we walked across

I replied. “I can grab

me toward the sleek Aston Martin parked near the entrance. The car beeped as he unlocked it, holding the

settled into the leather seats, I couldn’t help but wonder about the evening’s strange sequence of events. Alexander started the car, the engine purring to life with a

I began as we pulled out of the parking lot, “are you going to tell me

he kept his eyes on the road. “I have my ways.”

“That’s not an answer.”

at me. “You want the

would be nice,

tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, his eyes still fixed

sat up

A small team. Just

me I’ve been followed? By strange men I don’t know about?” I stared at him

corrected, his tone frustratingly calm. “They’re professionals. You

hand through my hair, exasperation building. “The point is, you have people tracking my movements without my knowledge or consent. What else are you keeping

I have a lot of enemies. People who’d love to get

on me? Without even mentioning

if I had?” He glanced at me, eyebrow

not the point,” I muttered, knowing full well I probably wouldn’t have.

looked contrite. “I should have mentioned it. But after what happened with Ryan tonight, aren’t you glad someone

crossed my arms, hating that he had a point. “How did they even

you into places like O’Malley’s, but they keep an eye on the

you just happened to be in the neighborhood?”

Dropped everything and came

of privacy and a reluctant gratitude that someone

go somewhere, someone’s watching me?” The thought made me

discreet.” Alexander reached over and took my hand. “It’s standard for anyone in my position. My family

not part of your

makes you a target whether you

drove in silence for a few minutes, the city lights blurring past the windows. I was still processing the revelation that

I

“Since the wedding.”

coffee runs, shopping trips, visits to my parents, all report to

move,” Alexander clarified. “They

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