Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 28 Christian's POV "No, Christian. This has already gone too far!" I felt Zoey's fingers slip from mine, and before I could react, she was already pulling away, disappearing quickly into the crowd. For a second, I stood frozen, watching that blue dress vanish as dozens of curious eyes flicked between me and her retreating figure. My grandfather remained on stage, his proud expression shifting into confusion. The microphone amplified his call, which now sounded more like a command: "Christian? Zoey?" There was no time to think.

Years of hard negotiations had taught me how to improvise under pressure. I plastered on the most convincing smile I could manage and climbed onto the stage alone, slipping my arm around my grandfather's shoulders. "Forgive my fiancée," I told the microphone, keeping my tone light. "Zoey has a touch of stage fright. Especially when all the attention is on her." Understanding murmurs rippled through the crowd. I could practically see the influencers already drafting captions about "the shy, adorable bride." "She was so moved by the announcement that she needed a moment." I raised my glass.

"But I can assure you, we're both equally thrilled about the date. May fifteenth is already marked on our calendars and in our hearts." The crowd applauded, raising their glasses in a collective toast. Behind their expensive sunglasses and practiced smiles, I caught Elise watching me with suspicion. Next to her, Alex wore an infuriating half-smile. And in the back, almost hidden in the shadows of the vineyard, Francesca lifted her glass toward me, her eyes saying something I refused to acknowledge.

My grandfather pulled me aside as Marcus took the microphone to speak about a new line of wines. "What really happened?" he asked, his voice low but razor-sharp. "Exactly what I said. She has social anxiety." Joseph studied me with those eyes that could pierce through the most polished lie. The same eyes that had watched me grow up, evaluated every business decision I'd made, and hardened the day he found out about Francesca. "She didn't seem anxious when I spoke with her the other day." "It's... selective," I swallowed.

It's not negotiable." His hand gripped my shoulder with surprising strength for his age. "I've waited long enough to see this vineyard in the right hands." "Yes, Grandpa." "And Zoey is the right woman." It wasn't a question. "Don't let her slip away." Thirty minutes of forced conversations and empty promises to people

as I climbed the stairs toward the suite, my mind a storm of 1/4 conflicting thoughts What was I doing? This arrangement had already spiralind far beyond what I intended it was supposed to be simple: she pretended to be my fiance for a few days, I

much. A wedding in May? You gather announcing it to everyone as if-" She looked on the verge of collapse, her hands trembling as the gestured wildly, I rougher the bigger, the wasn't acting. This was real panic. "Breathe, Zoey." I stepped closer, keeping a careful distance. "Just brea "I can't!" Tears began spilling down her face. "How did we get here? It was supposed to

of her like that Seeing a woman Religjenced to this because of the arrangement I had proposed... it wasn't right. This wasn't how I did business. This wasn't how i tward the people who helped me. Zoep My voice came out softer than I meant. "It's okay "It's not! None of this is okay! I can't-" "Okay." She froze, blinking through her tears in confusion "Okay? I nodded, an odd emptiness settling in my

tone firm, practical "Tomorrow, I'll take you home." Zoey stared at me, her mouth slightly open in disbelief. "But... your grandfather... the inheritance-" "I'll handle it." I turned away, unable to keep looking at the pain in her eyes. "Your father's debt is already cleared. The papers will be sent on Monday." "Christian..." "I'll talk to my grandfather, make something up." I dragged a hand through my hair. "Don't worry about it. You're free" A heavy silence fell between

at the rooftop bar." I didn't look back. "Don't worry. It's over." The rooftop bar was practically