Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 653 Gwen's POV Montelira was beautiful that Thursday afternoon. The sun was warm but not scorching. A soft breeze carried the scent of ripening grapes from the surrounding hills. Tourists wandered through the narrow stone streets with that lazy, unhurried energy of people on vacation. Nick and | were sitting at a small table outside the main gelateria in the central square. He had insisted we come here after | told him about Alexander's discovery. He said he needed to process it somewhere far from Florentia. Far from the apartment, on familiar ground. | agreed.

| needed fresh air. Perspective And, if | was being honest, exceptional gelato. | was savoring a cup of chocolate hazelnut gelato melting perfectly on my tongue, while Nick distractedly stirred his pistachio without really eating it. " still can't believe this," he said eventually, glancing at the discreet folder tucked inside my bag. "Renee...?" ---- "But it makes sense, doesn't it?" | countered. "How did she suddenly afford high-powered lawyers? How did she put down that kind of money on a new property? How is she living so far above her declared income?

This explains all of it." "Even so," Nick said, finally taking a bite of his gelato, "this is risky. For her. For everyone. These people are dangerous. This isn't a game." | nodded. "Renee strikes me as exactly the kind of person who likes living on the edge," | said. "The kind who thinks she's smarter than everyone else. That she can get away with anything." "And usually she does," Nick muttered. | was about to respond when movement at the entrance of the square caught my attention. It was Renee, walking with that signature overconfidence.

to beg. Or offer money again. She was about to be very disappointed. ---- Renee crossed the square toward us, removing her sunglasses as she approached. Her eyes locked onto mine for a second longer than necessary. And in that second, | saw something | didn't expect. Relief. Brief. Almost imperceptible. But definitely relief that | was standing. Recovered. Alive. It was... confusing. It didn't fit with the woman

pulled out a chair, and sat

voice calm and professional. "| have a proposal for you." One perfectly sculpted eyebrow lifted. "A proposal? Interesting. Go on." "| want you to withdraw your custody claim for Bella," | said evenly. There was a beat of absolute silence. Renee blinked. "What?" "You heard

in a coma, have a near-death experience, and decide to reconsider my original offer and pay me what | asked for from the start?" "Never," | said, absolute. The amusement on her face faltered. ---- "Then what exactly are you proposing?" "We have something better," Nick cut

expression back into place. "Prison?" she repeated, trying for a scoff, but her voice came out alittle too sharp. "Prison for what? For her being a terrible driver? She waved a hand in my direction, irritation rising. "Listen, she could've just-" "We're not talking about that," | interrupted, still calm. ---- Renee stopped. Studied my face like she was seeing me for the