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

but that would only

you napping?”

“I’m dropping off the suit

pause. He was

“Just that?” he asked.

“Just that.”

I knew better-he’d have someone watching me before the end of the

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

she asked, brushing a lock of

a day off. Needed

letting me in. “You’ve lost weight again. Is Ethan

laugh. “If he wasn’t, I’d be getting

her eyes.

“I

she could go any further. “Relax, Mom. I’m just joking.” I changed the subject to her garden, her latest book club drama-anything that could steer

finalized. Not until I had papers in hand. Until

together. Simple home food. Comfortable

finished, I stood up and said, “I’m meeting a friend tonight.

My parents nodded.

cheek and said goodbye to dad. Then I went to the

pulled a mask from my purse and slid it on,

car turned down the block, but I was already gone-cutting through the

wasn’t about to lead anyone

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13:29

Chapter 18

the destination just before

like it existed for secret deals and discreet affairs. The kind of place where people wore

stepped inside and handed Alexander’s suit to the concierge at the front desk. “It’s for Mr. Green,” I said softly. “Please

questions asked. That was the vibe of this place. I checked my phone and mes- saged Amelia to say I’d arrived. Within a

swept up neatly.

she said calmly, gesturing to the

down but didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Where’s the agreement?” I asked,

she replied smoothly, motioning to the