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.”

carefully, his expression darkening as he read

I said, trying

had his own theories. He carefully folded the note and

shot up. “You can do

people,” Alexander

you do,” Emilia muttered, sounding impressed

“I’ll have someone

“Okay.”

glancing at her watch. “It’s late, and some

Alexander offered, his

gentleman,” Claire grinned, linking arms with Ariana. “No wonder

my chest at Alexander’s protectiveness. As

in tomorrow, he returned to where I stood by his

to come,” I said softly as he opened the

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

I slid into the leather seat,

think it’s serious?” I asked as he started

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

now safely tucked in Alexander’s pocket. The

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 under my skin. Or maybe Victoria or Penelope is trying to

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

we should

For a single word on a piece of paper? They’d take the report but wouldn’t

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

help.

“Someone?

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

smile despite my frayed nerves. “Alexander Carter

the city lights blurring past the windows. I found myself replaying the events of the evening: the fun with