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.

Laura. | scrolled through every picture, every comment, every tagged location. And then | found it. An older photo. Months back. Some upscale corporate event. And there, in the background, slightly blurred but unmistakable... Gwen Wearing

She worked for one of those big companies Nick hated so much?

Sleek. It screamed money and power from every inch of glass and marble. | 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 overlooked. Someone who would love to talk. Or at the very least, get information. Anything that would take me one step further. But first, | had to confirm she actually worked there. "Good morning,"

cut in, trying to keep my patience.

stepping aside. Clearing a path. Almost reverent. A tall man