Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 595 Gwen's POV | had left Florentia before dawn, driving along the familiar road as the sun slowly rose over the Castorian hills. Nick knew | was coming for the weekend. After all, the influencers Zoey had booked were arriving on Saturday, and we needed to make sure everything was perfect. But | hadn't told him I'd be coming on Friday. | hadn't told him | was coming a day early | went straight to the local branch of Castoria Capital Bank, the bank that held Nick's debt. | had chosen to handle it in person instead of trying to manage it from Florentia. Less bureaucracy.

More control. The bank was small but elegant, with the atmosphere of an old institution trying to look modern. Marble floors. Dark wood counters. Employees in impeccable suits assisting the few morning clients. | walked directly to the front desk. "Good morning," | said to the man behind the counter, a man in his fifties with thin-framed glasses. "I need to speak to someone about paying off a debt." "Of course, ma'am. One moment, please." ---- He guided me to a private office, where | was greeted by a manager. Giorgio Marini, according to the nameplate on his desk.

"How can | help you?" he asked, gesturing for me to sit. | placed the folder I'd brought on the desk and took out the papers Christian had helped me prepare. "| want to pay off a debt," | said directly. "It's in the name of Nicholas Valemont. This is the contract number." | slid the paper with the information across the desk. The manager picked it up, typed something into his computer, and waited. His eyes scanned the screen. He frowned slightly. "Are you related to the debtor?" he asked, peering at me over his glasses. "No." "Then..." he hesitated.

"May | ask why you want to pay this debt?" | kept my expression perfectly neutral. Professional. "Because losing that property is not in my plans." He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with my blunt answer. ---- "I see," he said slowly. "I'll check with our legal department. In principle, there is no legal obstacle to third-party payment. Just a moment." He stood and left the office, leaving me alone with generic paintings of Castorian landscapes on the walls. He returned ten minutes later with a thick folder and an even more uneasy expression.

down again, "we have a... complication." "What kind of complication?" "The debt in question is currently being negotiated for assignment," he explained, opening the folder and showing me documents | couldn't read upside down. "To a third party. An investor who is purchasing a package of distressed loans."

part of the amount, and the new creditor assumes the risk and collection rights." The words hit me like a punch. ---- If this man bought the debt, he would take the property. That had to be his goal "But you told Nick he had time," | said, my voice harder now. " Sixty days to fix the situation or present a proposal. That was less than three weeks ago." The manager adjusted his

is a scenario, not a formal obligation on the bank's part." "In other words, it was more talk than a real guarantee." "| wouldn't put it that way... but yes. The contract allows the bank to sell the loan earlier. And once a credit enters a package like this, my hands are tied. It's not my decision. | only manage the local branch." 'Then untie them," | said, leaning forward. "I'm here. Right now. Ready to pay the full amount. Forty-two thousand

"It's not that simple," he said. "The loan has already been classified as distressed in our system. And there's an investor in advanced negotiations with the bank to purchase this debt ---- along with others as part of a closed package." He paused. "l understand your proposal. | really

at once. It cleans up our balance sheet. Reduces risk." "How advantageous, exactly?" | pressed, adopting the look of someone with a

"Seventeen distressed loans.

math quickly in my head. | had that money. Technically, | had much more than that. But it was an insane amount to spend just to save one forty-two-thousand-dollar loan. On the