Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 635 Gwen's POV For a second, the world seemed to stop. 2.3 million dollars. Renee knew. | took a slow breath, forcing my expression to stay neutral. Years of corporate meetings had trained me well. Never show panic. Never let them see the crack. But inside, it felt like the floor had shifted beneath my feet. | turned to Mia. "Go ahead," | said, my voice surprisingly calm. "I'll handle this and meet you after." Mia looked between Renee and me, clearly worried. "Gwen, | don't think" "Please," | cut in gently, but firmly.

"I've got it." She hesitated another second before nodding reluctantly, giving me one last warning look before stepping through the revolving door. When we were alone, or as alone as you can be in a lobby full of ---- security and reception staff, | turned to Renee. | walked toward her, keeping my voice low and controlled. "I don't know what you're talking about," | said, even though we both knew it was useless Renee smiled. That victorious, cruel smile. "KWJ Holdings," she said simply. "You know, | have contacts.

It wasn't hard to connect a mysterious company buying up debt with the Kensington family." She tilted her head, studying me. "Honestly, | don't even know how Nick didn't figure it out himself. She laughed. A grating sound. "Actually, | do," she went on. "You told him not to dig, didn't you? Told him he didn't need to worry about it. Smart." Anger simmered under my skin, but | held my composure | took a breath, grabbed Renee firmly by the arm, and practically dragged her toward the elevators. "What are you-?" "Shut up," | hissed under my breath.

---- | pressed the elevator button harder than necessary. When the doors opened, | all but shoved her inside. | tapped my badge to access the executive floor. The elevator rose in tense silence. When we reached my floor, | led Renee down the hallway to my office. | opened the door, let her in, then closed it behind us. | walked to my desk and sat down. | didn't invite her to do the same. "Say it," | said coldly. "What do you want?" Renee smiled, clearly savoring every second. "Money," she replied simply.

disbelief. "Youre insane," | said. ---- "I'm generous," she shot back. "That's nothing compared to everything you have." "I'm not giving in to blackmail," | said, absolute and steady. "I told you. Nick and | don't have secrets," | lied smoothly. "It just...

a matter of time before | tell him." "Would you rather he hear it from me?" Renee challenged. "I can pick up the phone right now," | said, grabbing my cell from the desk and holding it up between us, 'and call him. | can tell him everything. Right now." Renee crossed her arms and watched me with that infuriating smile. "Then tell him," she said simply. | stood there, Phone in hand. Staring

She started walking, and | let myself sink

tone shifting completely. Colder. Sharper. She paused for effect. "Because if you don't give me the money | want, not only will | tell Nick about the debt, I'll file for full custody of my

almost loses the property where his daughter lives. Drowning in debt. Financially dependent on a billionaire girlfriend who, by contract, has the legal power to execute the debt on the child's own home." She stopped and