Watch Me Win, Alpha

Chapter 14

Olivia’s POV

Alexander was standing under the shade of a big tree, talking on the phone. His face was calm, but his eyes flickered when he noticed me standing a few feet away.

I pressed my fingers to my forehead, feeling like a complete fool. What was I even doing here?

When he ended the call, I forced a smile and took a slow step forward. “Mr. Green,” I said, my voice small, “you’re right. I underperformed in some situations, and I probably wasn’t ready for this. I apologize for bothering you.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “Are you following me just to prove you don’t fit in?” he asked, his tone calm but his words cutting.

His words got me. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My face felt hot. I ended up giving him a weak, awk- ward smile and dropped the act. “Honestly? I did come over to try and convince you,” I said. “But I know I’ve made a bad impression. Today was… not my best. Since you’ve already decided not to hire me, I’ll leave early so I don’t em- barrass myself again.”

Alexander studied me for a long moment, his eyes cool. “Do you really think I rejected you just because of what hap- pened today?” he asked.

I blinked. “What else could it be?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he tilted his head slightly and said, “Look at what you’re wearing, Olivia. If I agreed to hire you now, everyone would think I’m shallow.”

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, almost amused tone. “And even if I am shallow,” he murmured, “I don’t want the whole world to know it.”

I felt my face go red. My ears were burning. I didn’t even bother defending myself. “Thank you for telling me,” I said quickly. “I’ll leave now. Goodbye.”

Before he could say another word, I turned on my heel and all but ran out of those trees.

When I got home, I stripped off the golf outfit and tossed it into the laundry basket. My reflection in the mirror looked tired and hollow. Am I really nothing without the Hawthrone Group? Without Ethan? The question sat heavy in my chest.

I let out a shaky breath, then sat down at my dresser. For a minute, I just sat there, staring at my reflection, then I picked up my phone, ready to text Rose an apology.

That’s when I saw the missed calls. A bunch from Ethan. A few from Rose. I ignored Ethan’s calls and tapped on Rose’s number instead,

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Chapter 14

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up, I said softly, “I’m sorry, Rose. I wasn’t feeling well. My blood sugar crashed or something, and I had to

her end. “Liv, I’m the one who should be sorry. I dragged you into that.

couldn’t see me. “It’s okay, Rose. You’ve done

she said. “About the outfit, the job. But he didn’t

Paul for Alexander’s phone number.

okay,” I interrupted gently. “Honestly, I don’t think it’s meant to be. Just

didn’t push back. “Alright,” she said softly. “I respect your

sat in the quiet of my room. My head hurt from all the running around and pretending. My back still throbbed from the

pulling the blanket up to my chin. I didn’t want

just wanted

the door open. I rolled over, half-opening my eyes, and caught the familiar scent of

“Have you been home all

to care now? He’d been gone for days, busy with Chole or

throat. “I thought I saw you at the golf course earlier.

in surprise. I hadn’t known Ethan was at the golf course. What was he doing there? For a mo- ment, I wanted to admit I’d been there, just to see his reaction. But I didn’t want

Just stared at him,

closer, pulling back the blanket a little to look at my neck. His eyes searched for something—maybe a mark, maybe a clue. When he found

cleaned up the yard this

near him made my skin crawl. I wanted him out of my life.

wasn’t, I was done trying to convince him of anything. I’d given up

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myself to sleep. Let Ethan play his games with Chole. I didn’t care