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,

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

see me. “It’s okay, Rose. You’ve done so much

everything to Alexander,” she said.

asked Paul for Alexander’s phone number. If you want to try

don’t think it’s meant

she

My head hurt from all the running around and pretending. My back still throbbed from the strain

my chin. I didn’t want to think about jobs or Ethan or

just wanted to

and caught the familiar scent of cedar and spice. Ethan was here. He sat

you been

didn’t answer. Why was he pretending to care now? He’d been gone for days, busy with Chole or his so-called work. Why did it matter

saw you at the golf course earlier.

For a mo- ment, I wanted to admit I’d been

I said nothing. Just stared at him,

searched for something—maybe a mark, maybe a clue. When he found nothing,

flatly. “I cleaned up the yard this afternoon. Now I’m tired, and I want to go

I wanted him out of my life. Out of my head. Out

convinced with my response and left soon after that. And even if he wasn’t, I was done trying to convince him of anything. I’d given

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to sleep. Let Ethan