Chapter 225

Alexander POV

I stared at my phone for another moment before setting it face down on my desk. Whatever rumors were circulating, I'd deal with them. I'd spent years building Carter Enterprises, navigating board politics, and outmaneuvering competitors. A few whispers wouldn't derail everything now.

My phone buzzed again. Unknown number.

I frowned, picking it up. Probably spam. I started to delete it without reading, then paused when I saw it wasn't a text message but a series of photos.

The first one loaded slowly. A cafe. Familiar, somewhere in downtown LA. And there, sitting at a corner table, was Olivia, laughing at something, her coffee cup halfway to her lips.

Across from her sat James Westbrook.

I felt my jaw clench involuntarily. I swiped to the