Chapter 164
Olivia
:
พร
5 vouchers
Alexander changed into a fresh suit, and by eight, we were pulling up to Spago. The restaurant was packed, as usual, but we were immediately escorted to a prime table near the center of the room.
“Mr. and Mrs. Carter,” the maître d‘ greeted us warmly. “It’s a pleasure to have you with us tonight.”
I noticed several heads turn as we made our way through the restaurant. Whether it was Alexander’s CEO status or the gossip article, we were definitely being noticed.
“Ignore them,” Alexander murmured, his hand warm on the small of my back. “We’re here to enjoy ourselves.
We ordered cocktails first, a Manhattan for Alexander and a champagne cocktail for me.
My eyes wandered around the restaurant, noticing several people stealing glances at our table. The champagne arrived with a perfect curl of lemon peel floating on top.
“You know what? I’m starving,” I announced, flipping open the menu. “Let’s order everything.”
“Everything might be excessive, but I’m game for sharing a few dishes.”
“Perfect. I’m ordering the most expensive items purely out of spite.”
“That’s the spirit.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “The Dover sole is excellent here.”
We selected several dishes to share, including the famous smoked salmon pizza and Dover sole. After placing our order, I took a long sip of my cocktail, savoring the bubbly sweetness.
“So,” I said, setting down my glass, “that article. You think Victoria’s involved?”
“I have a theory,” he said, leaning forward. “I think Victoria approached Penelope with a proposition.”
“What kind of proposition?”
“To prove you aren’t worthy of being Mrs. Carter.” His voice lowered. “She wants to create doubt in my grandfather’s mind about your suitability.”
I frowned. “And Thompson Hotels was part of this plan?”
“Exactly, Penelope suddenly appears, trying to snatch your project? It’s too convenient.” Alexander took a sip of his Manhattan. “I think that was phase one, to undermine your professional credentials.”
“And when that failed, they went with plan B: trashy gossip articles.”
“That’s my guess. Victoria wants my grandfather to question our marriage, which would give her leverage for the company shares.”
A waiter arrived with our smoked salmon pizza, momentarily pausing our conversation. The scent of dill and
Chapter 164
capers wafted up, making my stomach growl.
“This looks amazing,” I said, helping myself to a slice. The thin crust crackled perfectly between
5 vouchers
my
teeth.
Alexander watched me with amusement. “You know, for someone who was upset about being called a gold digger a few hours ago, you seem remarkably untroubled now.”
“I’m stress–eating,” I replied, taking another bite. “Plus, I refuse to let them ruin our evening.
“That’s what I like about you, Olivia. You’re resilient.”
“Is that a fancy way of saying I’m stubborn?”
“Among other things.”
We shared a smile, and for a moment, I forgot about the gossip articles and Penelope’s threats. This felt normal, just two people enjoying dinner together.
“It might just be Penelope acting alone,” Alexander said, returning to our earlier conversation. “She’s always been competitive, and losing you was clearly a blow to her ego.”
“Losing the Thompson account, you mean,” I corrected.
“That too.” His eyes met mine over the rim of his glass. “But I was referring to losing to you.”
“Ah.” I picked up my cocktail to hide my smile. “So her professional failure is actually personal.
“Yes.”
Our Dover sole arrived, perfectly filleted tableside by a server who moved with practiced precision. The delicate white fish was bathed in a brown butter sauce that smelled heavenly.
“So what’s our next move?” I asked after taking a bite of the buttery fish. “Besides eating ridiculously expensive food and looking fabulous?”
“We continue as planned. We focus on the Thompson Hotels project and show everyone that these attacks aren’t affecting us.”
“And Victoria and Penelope?”
Alexander’s expression hardened. “Leave them to me.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“It should.” He cut a piece of fish with surgical precision. “Victoria has forgotten that while she’s scheming for control of the company, I already run it.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning I have resources and information at my disposal that she can only dream of.” His smile was wolfish. “Victoria has some questionable investments I’ve been monitoring for a while. And Penelope’s firm has been
Chapter 164
struggling since she lost several key accounts last year.”
“Are you planning to destroy them?” I asked, only half–joking.
“Not destroy. Just… remind them of the natural order of things.”
I laughed. “That might be the most supervillain thing you’ve ever said.”
“Thank you,” he replied with mock solemnity. “I’ve been practicing my evil monologues.”
5 vouchers
A couple at a nearby table glanced over, clearly trying to eavesdrop. I leaned closer to Alexander, lowering my voice. “We have an audience at three o’clock.”
Without breaking eye contact with me, Alexander reached across the table and took my hand in his, stroking his thumb across my knuckles. “Let them look. Maybe they’ll report back to whoever wrote that article that we’re disgustingly happy together.”
The casual touch sent a current of warmth up my arm. I found myself leaning even closer, drawn in by the conspiratorial gleam in his eyes.
“You know what really bothers me about that article?” I said.
“What?”
“They used that terrible photo of me leaving the office. I looked like I’d been dragged through a hedge backward.”
Alexander laughed. “Is that what’s bothering you? Not the character assassination, but the unflattering photo?”
“A girl has priorities.” I shrugged dramatically. “They could at least have used my LinkedIn profile picture. I paid good money for that photoshoot.”
Our laughter drew more glances, which only made us laugh harder. There was something freeing about being here, defying the gossip mongers with our evident enjoyment of each other’s company.
“You’re remarkable,” Alexander said suddenly, his voice softer.
“Because I care about bad photos?”
“Because you refuse to be beaten down. By Ryan, by Victoria, by gossips, by vindictive ex–fiancées.. you just keep going with that sharp wit intact.”
I felt
my cheeks warm at the unexpected compliment. “Well, what’s the alternative? Hiding at home and crying into a pint of ice cream?”
“Many would.”
“I considered it,” I admitted. “But a pint of ice cream gives me brain freeze.”
The waiter returned to check on us, and Alexander ordered another round of drinks. As the evening progressed, I found myself relaxing more, the tension from the day’s events gradually melting away.
13:17 Sat, Sep 27
Chapter 164
67
5 vouchers
“So,” I said, after we’d decimated the dessert menu with a shared chocolate soufflé and crème brulée, “what exactly do you have planned for Victoria and Penelope?”
Alexander’s smile was enigmatic. “Nothing illegal, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Somehow that doesn’t reassure me.”
“Let’s just say Victoria has been less than transparent about certain business dealings, and the IRS might find them interesting.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I might.” His eyes glinted mischievously. “And Penelope’s father would be devastated to learn she’s been inflating her client roster to attract investors.”
“Alexander!” I exclaimed, not sure whether to be horrified or impressed.
“I’m kidding.” He paused, then added, “Mostly.”
“You’re terrible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
The restaurant had begun to empty, the late dinner crowd thinning out. Our table was littered with the aftermath of our feast: empty plates, dessert forks, and the dregs of our drinks.
“Should we go?” I asked, stifling a yawn. The long day was finally catching up with me.
Alexander nodded, signaling for the check. When it arrived, he placed his card in the leather folder without even glancing at the total.
“Very smooth,” I observed. “Not even checking the damage.”
“I trust their math.”
“Spoken like someone who’s never had to choose between paying rent and buying groceries.”
Alexander considered this. “Fair point. I’ve been fortunate.”
“You’ve been rich,” I corrected with a smile.
“That too.”
Chapter 165