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.”

read the

to get under my skin,” I said, trying to downplay the situation. “Victoria or Penelope,

he had his own theories. He carefully folded the note and

shot up. “You can

know people,” Alexander

Emilia muttered,

“I’ll have someone pick up your

“Okay.”

Emilia said, glancing at her

your cars,” Alexander offered,

arms with

my cheeks flush, but couldn’t deny the warmth in my chest at Alexander’s protectiveness. As

three had departed, promising to check in tomorrow, he returned to where

to come,” I said softly as he opened the passenger

voice was firm but gentle. “Someone threatened my wife. Where else would

with fear. I slid into the leather seat, watching as Alexander rounded the car and got in beside

think it’s serious?” I asked

space. “But to answer your question, I don’t know.

the note, now safely tucked in Alexander’s pocket. The harsh letters seemed to burn in

bet it’s Ryan,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “After our confrontation at O’Malley’s, he’s probably looking for ways to get

as he navigated through the quiet streets. “The timing is suspicious, especially

think we

at me. “To whom? The police? For a single word on a piece of paper? They’d take the report but

against the leather seat, suddenly exhausted. “I just hate not knowing

plate number might help. I’ll have

raised an eyebrow. “Someone? Like who? The

with a private security firm. They can check if the

smile despite my frayed nerves. “Alexander Carter and

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 to