Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 621 Renee's POV Monday started with a phone call. "Renee? It's Faust. Remember me? You asked me to discreetly look into the financial situation of Valemont Estate." Faust had come recommended by an old contact. Someone who owed a few favors. Someone with access to information regular people didn't "Yes, of course," | replied, straightening up in the narrow bed in my aunt's tiny guest room. "Did you find anything?" "I did," Faust confirmed. "And it's not exactly what you were expecting. Valemont Estate is in serious financial trouble. High debt with the bank.

Forty-two thousand dollars, backed by the entire property." | frowned, confused "Wait. Debt? | thought they were recovering. The place is fully booked, reservations are up, they hired that consultant..." "Yeah," Faust said. "Apparently the recovery is recent and hasn't been enough to fill the hole. And there's more. The debt was sold a few days ago." ---- "Sold? To who?" "| couldn't figure that out yet," he admitted. "The buying company used multiple layers of protection. But when banks sell debt like that, it's usually not a good sign.

It means they've lost hope of getting paid." Forty-two thousand dollars. And yet my daughter was walking around with a diamond necklace hanging from her neck? Nothing made sense. "Thank you," | said, ending the call quickly. | sat there, thinking. Something didn't add up. And | was going to find out what. Because if there was one thing | knew how to do well, it was dig. By Tuesday morning, | had a plan. Social media. Everyone leaves traces online. Everyone slips up. | started with Valemont Estate's Instagram. Gorgeous photos of the vineyards, the inn, sunset dinners. And there she was. Gwen.

profiles of influencers who had recently visited the property. That famous couple, Darius and Laura. | scrolled through every picture, every comment, every tagged location. And then

wing at the Rosemont resort with a special partnership from Kensington. Kensington wines. Gwen knew about wine more than she should. More than a simple enthusiast. So that was what she was hiding? She worked for one of those big companies Nick hated so much? One of those corporations that swallowed small properties without thinking twice? ---- But it still didn't fully add up. How would a regular employee afford diamonds? On Thursday,

| walked in, pretending to have confidence | didn't feel. The plan was simple. Find someone who worked with Gwen. Someone who didn't like her. There was always a jealous coworker. Someone who felt

she works in this unit? We have offices in-" "I'm sure," | cut in, trying to keep my patience. "She lives in Florentia." But was | sure? All |

Clearing a path. Almost reverent. A tall man walked out, wearing an impeccably tailored suit, an Italian leather briefcase in hand. Two other sharply dressed men flanked him, clearly in subordinate positions. Employees in the hallway greeted