Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 37 The company car wound along the twisting roads of Highridge Valley, each curve revealing landscapes that made my stomach tighten. Not because of the beauty-though the sunlit vineyards were breathtaking-but because of the memories every green hillside awakened. Three months ago, I had traveled these same roads in Christian's Porsche, anxious and nervous for completely different reasons. The memory of his hands on the wheel, his focused profile while driving, the light conversation punctuated by comfortable silences... it all felt like another lifetime.

"The view is amazing," Lisa commented from the back seat, snapping photos nonstop with her phone. As my assistant, she was far more excited about the trip than was appropriate for a professional. "I've never been to Highridge before!" "Wait until you see the event complex," I replied, forcing an enthusiastic tone. "Crestview Complex is one of the best convention centers in the region." "And they say the Kensington winery is just twenty minutes from here, right?" she went on, completely oblivious to my discomfort.

"We could stop by after?" I pressed my lips together, turning to the window to hide my expression. "We're here for work, Lisa. Not sightseeing." She must have picked up on something in my tone, because she fell silent for the rest of the ride. Crestview appeared ahead of us, a sleek modern structure perfectly integrated into the mountainous landscape. Large glass panels reflected the blue sky, and the outdoor area was being decorated with white tents and elaborate floral arrangements. We had barely parked before I was bombarded with messages and calls from the Sunvale team.

Problems with the delivery of samples, questions about exhibitor layouts, doubts about the schedule. Exactly the kind of chaos I needed to keep my mind busy-away from thoughts of Christian, of what my father had revealed, of what might have been. Soon I was in full command, delegating tasks, solving emergencies, negotiating with suppliers. This was where I excelled. This was where I felt safe, competent. Zoey Bennett, PR professional-not the fake ex-fiancée of Christian Kensington.

commented as we watched the structure being assembled. "It's going to grab a lot of attention." "As long as it's the right kind of attention," I replied, checking the placement of the interactive displays. "We want people talking about our wines, not flashing lights or loud colors." "Zoey

people I would always just be 'Kensington's fiancée.' 1/3 Chapter 37 +25

The influencer event was brilliant." We spent the next few minutes discussing digital marketing strategies and how Sunvale was trying to attract a younger audience. It was a professional conversation-exactly what I wanted. But I couldn't help noticing how his eyes occasionally flicked to my ring finger (bare, of course) and how he seemed to be probing for openings to slip in more personal

team instructions, product verification, rehearsing the main presentation... each task completed was a small victory, another step toward proving myself as the professional I knew I could be. "Zoey! Finally found you." Edward's voice reached me

we'd managed in so little time. "I knew I could count on you. By the way..." His tone shifted subtly, becoming more casual. "I just saw the Kensington team arrive. Christian's

most important event of the semester.' "Yes, yes." Edward adjusted his tie, a gesture I'd come to recognize as a sign of nerves. "I thought you'd want to know, considering your... history." "Thank you for the consideration, but I'm here as Sunvale's PR coordinator. My personal history has nothing