Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 497 Madeline's POV "Spam," I answered too quickly, slipping the phone back into the pocket of my hospital robe before Marcus could see the screen. "Just spam." But I saw the way his eyes narrowed slightly. The way his jaw tightened. Marcus knew me too well. He knew when I was lying. He didn't say anything, though. Not then. He only nodded slowly and turned his attention back to the security guard who was showing us more camera footage. The next few hours passed in a blur. Police arrived. A lot of police. They asked questions. So many questions. When was the last time we saw Aurora?

Why was she in the nursery? Who knew we were at the hospital? Did we have enemies? Had anyone made threats recently? I answered everything mechanically. Yes, we had an enemy. Dominic Blackwood. No, he hadn't made any direct threats recently-but his very existence was a threat. Yes, he was capable of this. He was capable of anything. Marcus stayed by my side through the entire interrogation, holding my hand, answering when I couldn't find the words. But every so often, I felt his eyes on me. Studying me. Trying to figure out what I was hiding.

One of the officers assured us they were doing everything possible. Roadblocks. Airport alerts. A full investigation into Dominic Blackwood's background. But as he spoke, I could feel Marcus growing more tense beside me. Eventually-after what felt like hours-the police left to "continue the investigation." They said they'd be back with updates. They told us not to worry. Not to worry. As if that were even possible. For a moment, the corridor was empty again. Just the two of us, heavy silence between us, broken only by the distant sounds of the hospital waking up with dawn.

a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. "Because when it comes to Dominic, he's 1/4 always one step ahead. He always has a plan. Don't you think he would've prepared for the moment we found out? That maybe he already has

If he wanted to plant someone inside the police to control the investigation..." He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to. I nodded slowly, feeling something heavy settle in my chest. "So what do we do?" "Let the police

own contacts. We'll find her, Madeline. With or without the police." I wanted to believe him. I wanted to cling to the certainty in his voice. But as I nodded, my hand moved unconsciously to the pocket where my phone was. 'Come alone.' Maybe Marcus was right. Maybe we couldn't trust anyone. Not the police. Not even family. Maybe the best option... was exactly what the message said. Eventually, they made me go back to the room. Dr. Helena insisted, saying I needed to rest, to recover. My "psychological state" was concerning, according

monster. I didn't argue. I went back to the room. Let them settle me into the bed again. Let them check my blood pressure, my stitches. Marcus stayed beside me the entire time, sitting in the chair next to the bed, holding my hand. A nurse brought a sedative. Placed the pill in my

discreetly spat the pill into my palm, hiding it beneath the pillow. I'd learned that trick at the clinic. When Dominic had committed me to that horrible place, trying to drug me into submission, I'd learned very quickly how to pretend to take medication. How to hide pills. How to look

murmuring blessings in Valentian while holding my hand. Olivia and my mother arrived together, both crying, wanting to hug me, to comfort me. I let them. I let them say comforting words that meant nothing. Let them promise everything would be okay. But deep down,