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.

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 closed my

up," | continued, my voice trembling 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. "I had seconds. |

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 seriously injure me." Skepticism flashed across Nick's face. "| think it was a stupid power game," | explained. "A reckless contest over who would get there first. A childish escalation that spiraled

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