Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 541 Nicholas' POV I was out in the courtyard checking the salt levels on the steps. The last thing I needed was another accident. That's when I heard the sound of a car pulling in. I turned and immediately recognized Gwen's sleek black car parking near the main entrance. Gwen was behind the wheel, and when the passenger door opened, Paula stepped out. The two of them had come together. Paula said something I couldn't hear, and Gwen replied. They were still standing close to the car when Gwen noticed me. Her face lit up instantly. That smile I was starting to know far too well.

Genuine. Warm. The kind that reached her blue eyes and made them shine. She walked quickly toward me, climbing the steps carefully. At least she'd learned that much. Then she rose onto her toes and gave me a quick peck on the lips. My heart kicked hard, like it always did when she did that. Like my body had never gotten the memo that none of this was real. "Good morning," she said, still smiling. "I'm going to grab breakfast with the guests. We'll talk later?" "Of course," I managed, my voice rougher than I meant it to be.

Gwen gave me one more smile before heading into the villa, leaving behind that subtle trail of her perfume. Paula stayed where she was, watching Gwen disappear inside. Her eyes narrowed slightly, that familiar suspicious look settling onto her face. Once the door closed behind Gwen, Paula finally moved. She walked over with determined steps, grabbed my arm, and pulled me farther across the courtyard, away from any curious ears. "She was in town," Paula said without preamble, her voice low but urgent. "Using a computer at a café.

that's great. It means her memory is coming back and "Look, Nick," Paula cut in, crossing her arms. "I'm not buying it. I don't buy this whole story that she just hit her head and now thinks she's your fiancée." I couldn't stop myself from laughing. "Right," I said, my voice thick with irony. "Because obviously a perfectly sane person would throw herself down a staircase, deliberately hit her head, just to pretend she lost her memory

"An inn. A winery. Land..." I laughed again, but this time there was no real humor in it. Just bitterness. Exhaustion. "An

unyielding. "But she doesn't know that," Paula said calmly. "No one does. We're good enough at keeping our problems... between us." She gave

"So you think she got close to me because she's interested in money?" I asked, my voice rough now. "In money I supposedly have?" Paula hesitated before answering, choosing her words carefully. "It wouldn't