The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 187

Olivia

We waited by my car, the garage feeling eerily quiet now that most of the bar patrons had left.

“So,” Ariana said, breaking the silence, “Alexander dropped everything to come get you, huh?”

I rolled my eyes at her knowing tone. “Don’t start.”

“What?” She grinned innocently. “I’m just saying, that’s some serious husband dedication. My ex wouldn’t pause his video game if I were being chased by a bear.”

“Alexander is protective,” I admitted.

“I think it’s sweet,” Claire chimed in. “Most guys wouldn’t take something like this seriously.”

“Most guys don’t have billionaire enemies who might be targeting their wives,” Emilia pointed out.

She had a point there. Since marrying Alexander, I’d entered a world where corporate rivalries weren’t just about business; they could get personal. Maybe that’s who left the note? One of Alexander’s competitors was trying to rattle him through me?

Finally, the unmistakable sound of a powerful engine echoed through the garage. Moments later, Alexander’s Aston Martin appeared, sleek and menacing under the fluorescent lights. He parked directly beside my Porsche and stepped out, his expression grim.

Even dressed casually in jeans and a dark sweater, Alexander commanded attention. His eyes found mine. immediately, concern evident as he closed the distance between us in a few long strides.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders as he quickly scanned me for any sign of harm.

“I’m fine,” I assured him.

He nodded, then turned to acknowledge my friends. “Ladies. Thank you for staying with her.”

“Of course,” Emilia replied. “We wouldn’t leave her alone after that creepy note.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “Do you still have it?”

Claire held up the paper, now tucked into a napkin. “Here. I didn’t want to touch it too much in case there were fingerprints.”

took it carefully, his expression darkening as he read the single word. “This is unacceptable,” he said

skin,” I said, trying to downplay the situation. “Victoria or

he had his own theories. He carefully folded the note

eyebrows shot up.

people,” Alexander

do,” Emilia muttered, sounding impressed despite

back to me. “I’ll have someone pick up

“Okay.”

get going too,” Emilia said, glancing at her watch. “It’s late, and some of us

cars,” Alexander offered, his tone making it

a gentleman,” Claire grinned, linking arms with Ariana. “No wonder Olivia’s

couldn’t deny the warmth in my chest at Alexander’s protectiveness. As annoyi it

in tomorrow, he returned to where I stood by

said softly as

did.” His voice was firm but gentle. “Someone threatened my wife. Where

with fear. I slid into the leather seat,

you think it’s serious?” I asked as

he replied, pulling out of the parking space. “But to answer your question, I don’t know. It could be a prank, or it

stared at the single word on the note, now safely tucked in Alexander’s pocket. The harsh letters seemed to

he’s probably looking for ways to get under my

Alexander agreed, his jaw tight as he navigated through the quiet streets. “The

we should report

The police? For a single word on a piece of paper? They’d

seat, suddenly exhausted. “I

partial plate number might help.

an eyebrow. “Someone? Like who?

lips quirked into a half–smile. “I have connections with a private security firm. They can check if the partial plate matches

I couldn’t help but smile despite my frayed nerves.

I found myself replaying the events of the evening: the fun with my friends, the jarring discovery of the note, the way Alexander had dropped everything to come