Watch Me Win, Alpha

Chapter 17

I placed the box on a shelf in my new apartment.

I didn’t open it again. Didn’t even brush the dust from the corners. I wasn’t going to throw it away or burn it either. That memory-what we buried-it wasn’t just about Ethan. That paper held a version of me too. A girl who used to believe in something.

My phone vibrated. Ethan.

I stared at the screen. He’d been calling more often lately. Maybe he could feel it too-that we were done. That this thing between us was already dead. I didn’t answer. I didn’t hang up either. Just let it ring until it stopped.

A few seconds later, I got a new text. From Mike.

“Mr. Green will be attending a meeting at Ashmoon Hotel on Friday afternoon. You may deliver the suit at that time.”

Ashmoon Hotel? That’s… secluded.

My brows furrowed. Why would Alexander want to meet me at a hotel? And why now? I didn’t want to read too much into it. I wasn’t naive, and I sure as hell wasn’t desperate. But it did feel strange.

Still, I didn’t reply. Not right away. I needed to think.

Two hours later, I pulled out of the Duskhollow Pines gate, sunglasses on and my hair pulled into a neat low bun. But my fingers slammed the brakes the moment I saw that familiar blood-red Ferrari parked down the road.

My heart sank.

Ethan.

He was leaning against the side, smoking. His expression behind the curtain of smoke wasn’t hard to read. He was pissed off and intentionally was parked in my way.

I knew I couldn’t avoid this. I parked behind him, grabbed my bag, walked over, and slid into the passenger seat with- out being invited.

I spoke first. “Why are you here?”

His

eyes

didn’t move. “You tell me, Olivia. What the hell are you doing here?”

I frowned: “You followed me?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he picked up the phone from his dash and threw it into my lap. “Explain.”

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13:29

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I looked down. On the screen was a list of property owners in Duskhollow Pines.

eyes for half a

bought a condo,” I said, calmly. “With my own money. From my own savings. It didn’t cost you

not what I’m asking,” Ethan said, jaw tight. “Why

tell you. And I didn’t think I needed to.” I turned toward him. “Do I need your permis- sion to

this is about? You

be so bad?” I shot back. “I’ve been working for years. Building your projects. Following your orders. I just wanted

looked away and let out a short laugh-more like a scoff. “You think I ever held you back? Every gift I gave

I didn’t respond.

continued, “For your kind information, the necklaces you wear are all expensive than this piece of property you

pocket, yanked out his black card, and shoved it toward

a second, then pushed it

lips thinned. “You know I didn’t

and be an emotionless gold-digger. But

I don’t want to be bought.” I unzipped my purse and dropped his card inside. “If

close my bag, but

me

the way want to, anyways. You can

I pulled my

My phone buzzed.

reply to his text earlier, maybe he was confirming via

Ethan noticed.

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13:29

narrowed.

the screen toward

I said, making sure he could

He hesitated.

serious,” I said, already

the call on speaker. “Hey, Amelia. I’m with Ethan” I hoped she could get me

deal.

voice came through the line, slightly surprised. “Oh, I didn’t know you were with Ethan. Never mind, dear.

replied quickly. “Sent all mine for cleaning.

then. I’ll have it sent over.” She

looked over at me, puzzled.

shrugged. “Would you rather we fight every

best way to shut people like

started the engine.

still have my car

I’ll have someone bring your car

I stayed quiet.

I pretended to scroll through my phone just to

as Ethan’s car finally disappeared into the main road. I let out the breath I’d been holding. That was too

Ethan seeing me again. I knew he’d ex- plode the moment he found out about the divorce filing.

planned

I could