The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 251

Chapter 251

Alexander

Present…

I sat behind my desk, staring at my phone. The screen was dark, blank, mocking me with its silence.

No new messages. Nothing from the blackmailer.

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The same photos that had arrived last week were now plastered across every media outlet in Los Angeles. Someone had taken my silence as permission to go wide, to turn private leverage into public scandal.

I pulled up one of the articles again, scrolling through the photos with clinical detachment. The angles were deliberate, designed to suggest intimacy where there likely was none.

But perception was reality in this world. And right now, perception was destroying my wife’s reputation.

I drummed my fingers on the desk, considering my next move. The blackmailer had threatened to release the photos if I didn’t pay. I’d called their bluff by staying silent.

Now they’d released them anyway.

Which told me everything I needed to know. This wasn’t about money. It was about damage. Creating chaos, undermining confidence, making my marriage look like a sham.

Victoria. Had to be. Or Penelope working with her. Maybe both.

My phone buzzed. Matteo.

I answered immediately.

“The burner phone turned on briefly last night,” Matteo said without preamble. “Pinged a tower near downtown before going dark again.”

“How long was it active?”

“Maybe thirty seconds. Just long enough to send a few texts, then offline again.”

“Can you triangulate the location?”

“Working on it, but whoever’s using it knows what they’re doing. They’re bouncing signals, using VPNs. It’s sophisticated.”

I leaned back in my chair. “So we’re dealing with professionals.”

“Or someone with access to professional resources.” Matteo paused. “Want me to keep monitoring?”

“Obviously. And pull security footage from the areas near those tower pings. I want to know who was there.”

9:52 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 251

“On it. Anything else?”

“Find them, Matteo. I don’t care what it takes.”

“Understood.”

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I hung up and stared at my phone again. Still nothing from the unknown number. They’d made their play, released their photos, and now they were watching the fallout.

Jessica knocked and entered without waiting for permission. “Mr. Carter, your grandfather is on line one.”

I picked up the phone. “Grandfather.”

“Alexander.” Harold’s voice was sharp, cutting. “What the hell is going on?”

“I assume you’ve seen the articles.”

“Everyone’s seen the articles. The board is asking questions.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “The photos are misleading. Someone’s trying to create problems where there aren’t any.”

“Then you need to shut this down. Immediately. Come to the estate this afternoon. We need to discuss damage control. Be here by four.”

The line went dead before I could respond.

I set the phone down and buzzed Jessica. “Clear my afternoon. I need to go to the estate.”

“Already done, Mr. Carter. I moved your three o’clock to tomorrow morning.”

“Thanks.”

She hesitated in the doorway. “Is there anything else you need?”

“No. Just hold my calls unless it’s urgent.”

“Of course, Mr. Carter.”

Jessica left, closing the door softly behind her.

I stood, grabbing my jacket from the back of my chair. The estate. Grandfather. Damage control for articles that painted my wife as a corporate spy and gold digger.

Perfect way to spend the afternoon.

I headed down the hallway toward Olivia’s office, my footsteps echoing against the polished marble. A few employees glanced up as I passed, their eyes tracking my movement with obvious curiosity. No doubt they’d all seen the articles this morning.

Olivia’s door was partially open. I knocked once before entering.

9:52. Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 251

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She sat hunched over her computer, fingers flying across the keyboard. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, a few loose strands framing her face. She didn’t look up immediately, too focused on whatever she was typing.

Her head snapped up. “Hey, What’s up?”

“We need to go to the estate.”

Her expression shifted from surprise to concern. “Now? I need those vendor proposals by five.”

“Grandfather wants to see us. About the articles.”

She closed her eyes briefly, her shoulders sagging. “Of course he does.”

“I know the timing sucks, but we can’t put this off.”

“Can I at least finish this email?”

“How long will it take?”

“Five minutes. Maybe ten.”

I glanced at my watch. We had time, but not much. “Make it quick.”

She turned back to her computer, typing rapidly while I leaned against the doorframe.

Her fingers flew across the keyboard, the soft clicking filling the silence.

“Almost done,” Olivia muttered, her eyes scanning the screen. “Just need to finish this email to Marcus about the vendor proposals.”

I watched her work, noting the tension in her shoulders, the way she bit her lower lip when she concentrated. The articles had rattled her more than she was letting on.

“Okay.” She hit send with more force than necessary. “Done.”

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