Olivia

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“I’ll be honest, Mrs. Carter. I only entertained Ms. Langford’s offer because of the impressive marketing budget. But after seeing your team’s thorough understanding of our brand heritage, the decision became clear. Andrew stated, his tone shifting to one of sincerity.

“We’re honored to have earned your trust,” I replied, gathering my materials. “We’ll make sure the Thompson brand shines in this new chapter.”

“I have no doubt,” Andrew smiled, standing to shake my hand. “Alexander Carter, always a pleasure. Your wife is quite the find.”

Alexander’s hand found the small of my back as he replied, “Believe me, I’m well aware.”

As Andrew excused himself to take a call. Alexander leaned close to me. “Well done. I knew you’d nail this.”

Before I could respond, Penelope appeared at our table, her smile tight and her eyes cold.

“Congrattions on securing the Thompson ount,” she said, her voice syrupy sweet. “Quite the aplishment for someone so…. new to senior leadership.”

“Thank you,” I replied simply, refusing to take the bait.

Penelope turned to Alexander, resting a manicured hand on his arm. “You must be so proud of your bride. Though I wouldn’t get toofortable celebrating this small victory, Olivia.” Her emphasis on my name dripped with condescension.

“Small?” I echoed, one eyebrow raised.

“Oh, darling,” sheughed lightly. “Thompson Hotels is a stepping stone. I wouldn’t waste too much energy on making this your defining project. After all, who knows how long you’ll be around to see it through?”

Alexander stiffened beside me. “What exactly are you implying, Penelope?”

She shrugged elegantly. “Nothing at all. I don’t want poor Olivia to put all her eggs in one professional basket. Or personal basket, for that matter.” Her eyes flicked between us meaningfully. “Some things simply weren’t built tost.”

“I appreciate your concern,” I said coolly, “but I’m quite confident in both my professional capabilities and my marriage.”

“How sweet,” Penelope’s smile sharpened. “Don’t think winning this little ount means anything in the grand scheme. I’ll be watching your work very closely. And your marriage.” She leaned in slightly. “Alexander hasb… /bpatterns, you know. I’d hate for you to be blindsided.”

Alexander stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. “That’s enough, Penelope.”

“Is it?” Her eyes narrowed. “Your father was bso /bdisappointed when you called off our engagement, Alexander. He had such high hopes for the Langford–Carter alliance. I wonder what he thinks of this… hasty

b17:30 /bMonb, /bSep 22 N

recement.”

40

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“My father is thrilled with my choice of wife,” Alexander replied coolly. “And we can take care of ourselves without your unsolicitedmentary.”

Penelope’s perfect smile remained fixed, but her eyes narrowed slightly. “Of course he is. Your father has always had such interesting taste.” She tilted her head, examining me like I was ba /bcuriosity in a museum. “I do hope your marriage proves sessful, Olivia. I’ll be watching with great interest to see how you manage the challenges thate with being a Carter.”

“I appreciate your concern,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “But we’re doing just fine.”

“For now,” Penelope said sweetly. “It’s early days yet. The real testes when the novelty wears off.” She ran a manicured finger along Alexander’s sleeve. “I’ll try my hardest to make your married life so… sessful.”

The threat beneath her sugary tone was unmistakable.

Alexander stepped back, putting space between himself and Penelope’s touch. “How will your father react to losing the Thompson ount? I understand he personally arranged that dinner with Horizon Media. Such a shame his efforts were wasted.”

Penelope’s smile faltered. “A temporary setback. Daddy understands that business has its ups and downs.”

“Does he? I recall him being rather unforgiving about failures.” Alexander’s voice carried just enough bite to make Penelope flinch. “Especially such public ones.”

“This isn’t over,” Penelope hissed, dropping all pretense of civility. “I was going to be the perfect wife for you, Alexander. I still can be.”

“We’re married,” I interjected, unable to keep quiet any longer.

“Please,” Penelope scoffed. “Marriages end every day. Especially rushed ones based on whatever this isb./bb” /b

Alexander took my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “I suggest you focus on salvaging your professional reputation rather than undermining my marriage, Penelope.”

“Wait and see,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. “I’ll prove I’m the woman who should be standing beside you. Not this marketing girl you’ve settled for.”

With that parting shot, she turned on her heel and stalked away, leaving a cloud of expensive perfume in her wake.

“All the best with that,” Alexander called after her, his tone dismissive.

As we walked to the bcar/b, Alexander squeezed my hand. “Don’t let her get to you. Penelope’s always been sore about losing.”

“I’m fine,” I assured him, even as my stomach churned with unease. “She’s just trying to rattle us.”

“Sessfully, it seems,” he observed, opening the passenger door for me.

:.

I slid into the leather seat. “I’m not rattled. Just annoyed.”

“Sure you’re not,” he said with a knowing smile.

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Just as Alexander started the engine, my phone pinged. I pulled it from my purse, expecting a text from Emilia or my mom.

Instead, a notification from L.A. Insider, a popr gossip blog, shed across my screen. My blood ran cold as I read the headline:

“CARTER’S GOLD DIGGER: How Junior Exec Olivia Morgan Snagged Billionaire Alexander Carter”

The article featured a photo of me leaving the office building, looking tired and disheveled, juxtaposed with a morous shot of Alexander at a charity g. The contrast couldn’t have been more deliberate or cruel.

“What is it?” Alexander asked, noting my expression.

Wordlessly, I handed him my phone. His jaw tightened as he skimmed the article, which painted me as an opportunistic nobody who’d somehow manipted one of L.A.’s most eligible bachelors into marriage.

“This is garbage,” he muttered, scrolling further. “Anonymous sources im… rapid rise throughpany ranks… suspiciously timed marriage…”

I looked up from the phone just in time to see Penelope emerge from the restaurant. She spotted us in the car, a satisfied smile spreading across her face as she slipped on oversized sunsses. With a little wave, she sauntered to her red Ferrari and slid behind the wheel.

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