Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 25 Alex's words lingered in the air between us, heavy with insinuation. My body reacted in a contradictory way-a shiver at the treacherous memory of sensations my heart hadn't completely forgotten. Before I could form a response, a cold, controlled voice cut through the moment. "Am I interrupting something?" Christian stood at the base of the staircase, staring at us with an expression I had never seen before. His eyes- usually warm when they met mine-were hard as stone. His jaw was tight, his posture rigid.

Alex smiled, stepping back but showing not the slightest trace of embarrassment. "Just reminiscing with your fiancée," he said with studied casualness. "Zoey and I have... a lot of history." Christian crossed the distance between us with measured steps, placing himself at my side. His arm slid around my waist possessively, his fingers pressing lightly against the thin fabric of my dress. "History. Exactly that," Christian replied, his tone glacial. "Something that belongs in the past.' He shot me a quick but intense glance before fixing his eyes back on Alex.

"The guests are gathering in the dining room. I suggest you join them, Mr. Pereira." O The use of his last name was a subtle reminder that Alex wasn't part of the inner circle. Alex seemed to notice, his smile faltering for just a second before recovering. "Of course." He lifted his glass in a silent toast. "See you inside." As he walked away, Christian didn't relax. His fingers remained firmly at my waist, as if afraid I might run after Alex the moment he let go. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice still tense. "Yes, I..." "Come on." He cut me off, guiding me toward the dining room.

"We shouldn't keep the guests waiting." Dinner was an elegant torture. Seated between Christian and Marcus, I could feel the icy distance radiating from Christian beside me. He spoke animatedly with everyone else at the table-his grandfather, the investors, even Elise, who looked particularly pleased with herself that night. But with me, he exchanged only what was necessary -brief, polite words, nothing more. Across the table, Alex didn't bother to disguise his glances.

far from Joseph as possible. His expression visibly hardened every time she spoke,

an eye for detail. What do you think of our art collection?" It was the perfect cue for a safe topic of conversation, one that allowed me to breathe for a few minutes, away from the suffocating tension between Christian and me. 1/3 +25 Bonus During dessert, I suddenly felt something brush against my leg under the table. A foot sliding slowly up my calf. I nearly choked on my lemon sorbet, my eyes instantly searching for the culprit. Alex smiled

my glass. Christian glanced at me, a silent question in hist eyes, but quickly looked away, turning back to his conversation with a Chinese investor. The night seemed to drag on endlessly until, finally, the guests began

momentarily forgotten I was even there. "What do you mean?" "You know exactly what I mean." I crossed my arms. "You spent the entire night treating me like I was invisible. What did

you insane? I wasn't in his 'arms'! He was cornering me, and I was trying to get away!" Christian unbuttoned his jacket, his agitated movements betraying his frustration. "Doesn't look that way from where I was standing. He was practically undressing you with his eyes, and you..." He shook his head. "You didn't look that uncomfortable." My jaw dropped at the accusation. "How dare you?" Anger

his chest. "You're being ridiculous. And completely unfair!" "Unfair?" He grabbed my hand, pulling it away from his chest but not letting go. "You yourself admitted yesterday that you still have feelings for him!" His words hit