Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 77 The silence that followed had a special quality, as if we were suspended in that moment beneath the stars, with no past and no future. Just the two of us and that shared vulnerability. Of all the things Christian had shown me-the villa, the vineyards, the centuries-old cellars-this place, this moment, felt the most intimate. "Do you come here often?" I asked at last, breaking the quiet. "Whenever I can." He was still gazing at the sky, but I sensed his mind had drifted elsewhere. "Less than I'd like.

Business takes up too much time." "The winery." "Yes." A sigh. "The pressure never lets up. My grandfather thinks m ready to take full control, but Lawrence and Isabelle have other ideas. The board is divided." "Because of the organic project?" I asked, recalling what Gwen had mentioned. Christian turned his head sharply, his gaze suddenly alert. "How do you know about that?" w was a flicker of suspicion in his voice that I didn't miss. "Gwen mentioned it," I explained quickly. "During our lessons.

She showed me that old ledger in the cellar." Vineyard Book." His expression eased a little, but not completely. "Gwen talks too much." "She was just trying to help me understand the family business better." His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "There are things that need to stay inside the company, Zoey." Histone was gentle, but there was a firmness beneath it. "The organic project is... delicate. Especially considering your past experience." "My past experience?" "At Sunvale." He said the name like it tasted faintly bitter. "A direct competitor." A chill twisted in my stomach.

"Christian, I worked in PR. I have no interest in-' "Sorry," he cut me off, running a hand over his face. "I'm being paranoid. It's just that... this project means a lot to me. It's my vision for Kensington's future. And I've been... betrayed... before." Francesca. It was always Francesca. Her shadow seemed to stretch over us even miles away. "I understand," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral, though the insinuation had stung. "But now that I know... couldn't you at least tell me more? I am genuinely interested." He hesitated, then slowly nodded. "1 "It's a reconversion project.

years. His eyes lit up as he spoke, passion shining through. "No pesticides, no herbicides, fermentation with wild yeasts. Wine made the way it was centuries ago." "That sounds... revolutionary." "And risky." He sat up,

our family for generations. It was fascinating to see him like this completely immersed in his passion. "What inspired you?" I asked. His gaze drifted into the distance. "I almost lost the northern vineyards a few years ago. A blight spread, killing hundreds of vines. It was devastating." He

wanted to build." "And that's why you created Zoey Vineyard with that method?" I asked, remembering the grapes he'd shown me. Christian smiled, for the first time since we'd started talking. "Exactly.

a growing niche among high-income consumers who care about sustainability. It's all about positioning it correctly in the market." Christian studied

considered it." "Actually, no." He looked contemplative now. "We've been so focused on the product we may have neglected the market strategy." A comfortable silence stretched as we both gazed at the stars. There was something deeply intimate in sharing his vision, his dreams for the future. I found myself imagining what it would be like to be part of that future-not

a conflict of interest, don't you think?" "Definitely." His tone was light, but I caught the undercurrent of relief. Gathering