Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 650 Gwen's POV "What do you mean it's your fault?" Nick asked immediately, tension sharpening his voice. | took a slow breath. This time, there would be no omissions. No half-truths. "Renee threatened me," | began. "The day of the accident. She came to my office." | saw Nick's jaw tighten. "Go on," he said, his voice controlled but hard. "She asked for money," | said. "A lot of money. She called it payment for her silence. So she wouldn't tell you | bought your debt. And so she wouldn't use that information to...

build a case for full custody of Bella." Nick closed his eyes briefly. "and what did you do?" "Lrefused," | answered immediately. "Flat out. | told her to get out of my office." He nodded, approval clear. ---- "Good. You don't give in to blackmail. Ever." "Exactly," | said. "If | paid once, she'd ask for more. And more. It would never end." | paused, bracing myself. "It wasn't just about the money," | continued. "It was about control. About sending the message that we were afraid of her. That she had power over us.

That all she had to do was use Bella like a pawn and she'd get whatever she wanted." My voice grew steadier. "Lcouldn't allow that, Nick. | couldn't let her think she had that kind of leverage. | thought we could handle it strategically. | thought | could get to you first. Tell you myself before she had the chance." Understanding flickered across his face. "That's why you were driving like that," he said slowly. "Yes," | admitted. "I left the office immediately. Canceled everything. Got in the car and drove as fast as | could.

she did." Nick was staring at me now, piecing it together. ---- "Wait," he said suddenly. His eyes widened. "Before Renee? You were both heading to the estate at the same time?" | nodded. "Yes." "So you two were-" "On the same road," | finished for him. "That's why the accident happened the way it did." He went completely still. "What do you mean?" His voice was low now. Dangerous

now. "She wouldn't let me complete the pass. Wouldn't let me merge back into my lane. | was stuck in the opposite lane, and she just... kept me there." "And then the truck appeared," Nick said, his tone ice-cold. "It came out of nowhere," | whispered.

then-" | didn't have to finish. He knew. The room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence. "You're telling me Renee tried to kill you?" I chose my answer carefully. "No," | said after a moment. "I don't think that was her intention. | don't think she set out planning to kill me or

don't think she went that far." ---- Nick stayed quiet for a beat. "Are you sure?" he asked, doubt heavy in his voice. | frowned. "Why would you say that?" "The estate," he replied simply. | understood instantly. "The fire..." | murmured. "Christian told you?" he asked. "Yes." "| was there today," Nick said. "| saw the damage. Talked to investigators. It's definitely arson, Gwen. Accelerant in multiple locations. It was deliberate." A cold anger began to rise in me. "You think it was her?" | asked, even though | already knew his answer. "Who else?" Nick shot back. | wanted