Watch Me Win, Alpha

Chapter 18

Olivia’s POV

Amelia kept calling repeatedly. I let it ring, half-hoping she’d give up. But when she called again and I still didn’t an- swer, she sent a sharp text instead.

“Be at Ashmoon Hotel by 7:00 p.m. tonight. Or the original $150 million settlement stands. Don’t test my patience.”

It was the kind of message you’d expect from someone who had the Hawthorne name tied around their neck like a sword. I stared at the phone for a second before putting it down on the coffee table.

Ava’s voice echoed in my head-“Be careful with Amelia.”

Maybe tonight’s meeting wasn’t just about documents. Maybe she would try to downplay me and trap me into some- thing.

I didn’t respond yet.

Just then, a new message lit up my phone. This one was from Mike.

“Miss Whitmore, has Mr. Green’s suit been scheduled for return? I can coordinate timing if needed.”

Right. The suit. I could’ve just handed it to the property staff and let them drop it off upstairs. After all, Alexander lived one floor above me now. But something about that felt… too casual. Too cold. And frankly, I didn’t want to come off as dismissive, not to someone like him.

I sat back and thought it through. Deliver the suit personally. Keep it quick, professional, polite. And since I was al- ready heading out to meet Amelia, I might as well line it all up.

I texted Mike back:

“8:00 p.m. tonight. I’ll drop it off in person.”

After that, I headed upstairs to get dressed. Light makeup. Neutral tones. A white blouse, clean black slacks. No per- fume. Nothing that could be mistaken for “trying.”

I packed the suit carefully in a garment bag and left the house. But I didn’t head straight for Alexander.

First, I drove to my parents’ place.

I’d caught a car idling outside Duskhollow Pines earlier. Nothing conclusive, but the way it kept its distance and didn’ t pull away even after ten minutes-it was enough to make me cautious. That incident with Ethan outside the complex had already reminded me that privacy wasn’t something I could rely on anymore. Especially not with a soon-to-be ex- husband who still acted like I was his Luna.

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13:29

Ethan called. I considered ignoring him, but that would only make him suspicious.

you napping?” he

said, keeping my voice even. “I’m

He was

“Just that?” he asked.

“Just that.”

up without another word. But I knew better-he’d have someone watching me before

childhood home, it was already late afternoon. My mother, Polin, opened the door and looked

at work?” she asked, brushing a lock of hair behind

day

lost weight again. Is Ethan treating

a soft laugh. “If he wasn’t, I’d

narrowed her eyes.

“I

I changed the subject to her garden, her latest book club drama-anything that could steer the conversation

to tell my parents yet. Not until everything was finalized. Not until I had papers in hand. Until then, I’d keep it to myself. One

together. Simple home food. Comfortable silence. I

up and said, “I’m meeting a friend tonight. Might stay

My parents nodded.

cheek and said goodbye to dad. Then I went

doors closed, I pulled a mask from my purse and slid it on, then added

later, a car turned down the block, but I was already gone-cutting through the alleyway to my parked sedan

lead anyone

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13:29

Chapter 18

arrived at the destination just before

was one of those quiet, upscale places that looked like it existed for secret deals and

front desk. “It’s for

vibe of this place. I checked my phone and mes- saged Amelia to say I’d arrived. Within a minute, a hotel staff member approached and led me down a long

was already seated. She wore a dark green dress, fitted to perfection, with her hair swept up neatly. The scent of rose and cardamom clung faintly to

to the seat across from

pleasantries. “Where’s the agreement?” I asked,

some tea first,” she replied smoothly, motioning to