My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 97

Olivia’s POV

"What are you gossiping about? How dare you discuss CEO Hawthorne’s personal life? Get back to work!" I snapped.

The employees quickly stopped talking and returned to their tasks, working diligently once again.

I returned to my desk, closed my eyes for a moment, and the bitterness in my heart grew.

I knew I had been nothing more than a pawn for someone else yesterday.

Vivienne Sinclair!

Just thinking about the scene in the elevator earlier made my nails almost snap from the tension.

At that moment, the phone on my desk rang.

I glanced at the screen—it was an internal call from the CEO’s office.

I picked up the phone. "Hello, CEO Hawthorne."

"Director Olivia, come to my office," Alexander’s voice was calm, almost distant, with no emotion in it.

"Okay."

I quickly checked myself in the mirror, adjusted my hair by my ears, and took a deep breath—CEO Hawthorne probably had no idea I was the one who slipped the drug in.

I stood up and walked toward his office.

I knocked twice, pushed the door open, and stood in front of his desk. "CEO Hawthorne, you wanted to see me?"

He looked up at me, reached for a file from his desk, and slid it toward me. "This is your transfer order. I’m planning to move you to a branch office. What do you think?"

He asked my opinion, but I knew it was just a formality—I had no say in this decision.

I looked at him in disbelief, thinking I had misunderstood. "CEO Hawthorne, why? Why are you suddenly transferring me?"

Liking someone wasn’t a crime. Alexander could keep all the employees who adored him around, but he couldn’t tolerate one who, in her misguided affection, had drugged him.

Alexander leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk. "Some things don’t need to be said. If you don’t want it, I can transfer you to another department."

Positions at headquarters were always competitive, and there were no vacancies in other departments. If I stayed, I’d be demoted. Moving to the branch office would allow me to keep my current position, but it would take me out of the power center.

Had Alexander figured out my intentions?

My face tightened with emotion, and I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Finally, I whispered, "CEO Hawthorne, I don’t know what you mean."

Alexander glanced up at me, gestured toward the file on the table, and said flatly, "The transfer order will take effect next week. Be sure to hand over your work this week."

I realized that playing dumb wouldn’t help. I quickly admitted my mistake, hoping Alexander might forgive me. I couldn’t leave—if I did, I’d never get another chance to see him again.

"CEO Hawthorne, I was momentarily out of my mind. Please give me another chance. I swear it won’t happen again," I pleaded.

"Leave," Alexander said coldly.

My face drained of color. No more chances. I trembled as I took the file, turned, and left the office.

At the door, I suddenly stopped. I turned back to look at him. "CEO Hawthorne, I want to know—why is Vivienne allowed to be with you? Why can she stay here while I can’t?"

"I don’t owe you an explanation."

His words stung, and I gave a bitter laugh before pushing the door open and walking out.

Vivienne’s POV

When Olivia stepped out, Jane turned to me and said, "Director Vivienne, you can go in now."

I was about to knock on the door when Olivia stepped in my way.

"Director Reynolds, do you need something?" I asked with a half-smile.

Olivia’s expression darkened as she looked me up and down. When her eyes landed on the mark on my neck, her fists clenched involuntarily, and her gaze sharpened, as if she had been poisoned. "Vivienne, just you wait!" she spat.

She shot me a venomous glare before storming off, the file still gripped tightly in her hand.

I watched her retreating figure, a faint smile tugging at my lips.

I understood Olivia perfectly.

She had made all these plans, only for someone else—me, her enemy—to benefit from them. How could Olivia be happy about that?

I took a step forward, knocked, and entered the office.

"CEO Hawthorne."

Alexander stopped what he was doing when he saw me, leaning back in his chair, folding his arms across the armrests. His gaze was playful, yet calculating. "What is it?"

I stood by the desk and gave my work report.

When I finished, Alexander replied, "You decide."

"Alright, CEO Hawthorne. I’ll be going now."

"Wait." Alexander called out, stopping me.

What else could there be? I turned to look at him.

"Come here."

I walked over, but before I knew it, Alexander grabbed my arm and pulled me down onto his lap.

I was startled, pushing against his shoulders. "What are you doing? This is the office!"

"It’s nothing. I just wanted to hold you." He smiled softly, then kissed my forehead before lightly brushing my lips with his.

"CEO Hawthorne," I said, pulling away slightly.

If my lips were swollen when I left, there would be no way to stop the rumors.

"What are you afraid of?" Alexander asked, looking down at me. "This is my office. No one will just walk in. Even if someone does see us, it’ll just make our relationship public."

"No." I responded immediately.

"Why not?" Alexander’s eyes darkened.

I looked up at him, parting my lips. "I just don’t want to go public right now."

"What are you worried about? There’s nothing between me and Isabella anymore. I’ll keep my promise to you."

I lowered my gaze. "I just don’t want to. Let me go; I have work to do."

He sighed. "I’ll let you go, but first, say something nice to me."

"..." I gritted my teeth. "Childish. Let me go."

"Be good," he murmured, pulling me closer.

"Call me ’Boo,’ and I’ll let you go."

"Alexander, are you serious?"

"Just pretend I am."

I bit my lip, lowering my voice. "Boo... is that good enough?"

"Say it louder. I didn’t hear you."

"Alexander!" I said, louder this time.

"Mm. I’m listening," he said with a smile.

"Boo," I said again, this time much louder. "Is that better?"

"I need to tell you something."

"Stop changing the subject and let me go."

"I’m serious. The visa’s been approved. We’re leaving in a few days."

"Okay. Can you let me go now?"

Finally, Alexander seemed satisfied and released me.

I immediately stood up and rushed out of his office, feeling as if I were escaping.

Alexander’s POV

I watched Vivienne’s silhouette, a faint smile playing at my lips.

The ping of a new message interrupted my thoughts, and I picked up my phone to check it.

“Alexander, will you come see me during Thanksgiving break?”

It was a message from Isabella.

I replied, “I have things to take care of. Focus on your filming.”

“I miss you.”

I stared at the message but didn’t respond.

Perhaps sensing my lack of reply, another message came through shortly after: “Alexander, I regret it. I shouldn’t have broken up with you. That’s the biggest regret of my life.”

I replied, “Look ahead.”

Isabella responded again, “Alexander, I really can’t help it. When I close my eyes, your face is all I see. Every night, I dream of you—of the days when we were in college. If only time could freeze back then, it would be perfect.”

I turned off the screen and didn’t reply.

Then Isabella called.

I hesitated when I saw her name flash on the screen. Just as I was about to hang up, I answered. Immediately, Isabella’s joyful voice filled the line.

“Alexander! I thought you wouldn’t pick up!”

I frowned slightly and said in a calm voice, “I just want to remind you—don’t dwell on the past. The future is ahead of us.”

“Alexander, but I really love you. I really love you. Can you come see me?”

“Focus on your movie. If there’s nothing else, don’t call again.” I ended the call.

Leaning back in my chair, I closed my eyes.

I asked myself—do I love Vivienne?

Do I love Isabella?

Everything I had done came from the deepest corners of my heart.

My heart leaned towards Vivienne. Even if it wasn’t love, it was certainly affection.

Otherwise, this marriage wouldn’t have lasted three years.

Perhaps I was wrong from the start. Maybe I had only felt guilt for Chu Siyu.

After we reunited, I mistakenly mistook that guilt for love.

Fortunately, before the divorce, I realized the truth.