Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 482 Madeline's POV Marcus and I were sitting on the living room couch that night, the TV on in the background playing some variety show neither of us was really watching. I'd spent the last half hour telling him about my visit to my mother about the awful state I found her in, about the disturbing things she'd said. "I'm worried," I admitted, shifting a cushion behind my back to ease the constant discomfort of being seven months pregnant. "I don't know if my mom is hallucinating with this story about a staged heart attack, or if Dominic really had something to do with it.

And if she's right... she really could be next." Marcus took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine in that steady, comforting way that had become so natural between us. "I won't let that happen," he said, with a determination I knew was real. "Tomorrow I'll send a few guards to her house. Dominic won't get anywhere near her. And besides..." He paused, clearly thinking through the next steps. "After the inauguration, we can figure out something more permanent. A stronger form of protection for her. Maybe... convincing her to move somewhere safer.

Like Valentia, for example." I nodded, a brief wave of relief washing over me at the thought that at least we had a plan. "After the inauguration," I repeated, a rush of excitement mixing with nerves. "Can you believe there are only ten days left?" Marcus's face lit up instantly, that familiar spark appearing whenever we talked about the park. "Zoey's ideas are absolutely incredible," he said, his enthusiasm obvious.

"She managed to coordinate the launch of the new Kensington Celebration line to happen exactly on opening day-the first Kensington line to include not just wines, but grape juice too. It'll be exclusive, only available in the park during the first week." "Seriously?" I asked, impressed by how clever the strategy was. "All the specialized press has already confirmed," Marcus went on, clearly energized. "Major critics, well- known sommeliers, food and lifestyle bloggers. And Zoey even secured partnerships with digital influencers from Belmonte who have millions of followers.

doing live coverage of the opening." "She really took this on as a personal mission," I said, smiling as I pictured Zoey in her element, orchestrating every detail with that impressive

back to life. Seeing Marcus so invested. Imagining our daughter growing up there, making happy memories... "And there's more," Marcus

variety show was interrupted by that unmistakable breaking news alert that instantly makes anyone stop and pay attention. Marcus and I both turned to the screen at the same time. A news anchor appeared, her expression serious. "We

hundred and thirteen cases of methanol poisoning following the consumption of alcoholic beverages," the anchor continued. "Belmonte accounts for more than ninety percent of the cases." Images began flashing across the screen-crowded hospitals, bottles of alcohol being seized, people being

severe symptoms twelve to twenty-four hours after ingestion, including intense abdominal pain, blurred or impaired vision, mental confusion, nausea, and vomiting." A doctor appeared on screen, explaining in technical terms how methanol is metabolized in the body into