Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 475 Marcus' POV "Calm down," I said immediately, placing my hand over hers. "I asked them to stop it." Madeline turned to me, surprise written all over her face. "You... asked?" I pointed down, toward the city spread beneath us like a glowing map. "Everything looks so small from up here, doesn't it?" She followed my gaze, and a small smile slowly curved her lips. She let out a soft laugh and nodded.

"The Ferris wheel was one of my favorite rides when I was a kid because it always made me feel like a giant." We laughed together, and I took the moment to continue with what I had planned. "That's exactly it," I said. "Sometimes we just need a change in perspective. To look at our problems like they're ants-and remember that we're the giants." Madeline frowned slightly, curious. "What do you mean?" I pulled the envelope from my jacket pocket-the one she'd found the day before and hadn't been able to open. I held it between us, watching recognition flash instantly in her eyes.

"Whatever's written in here can be left behind, right here, in this moment," I explained carefully. "Or it can go home with you, inside your heart. You get to decide whether what's in here is just... an ant. But what's undeniable is this-you're a giant." I watched her process my words, her eyes moving between the envelope and my face. There was fear there, but also something else. Something that looked a lot like courage, slowly rising to the surface. She thought for a few long seconds that felt like an eternity. Then she gave a tiny nod. When she spoke, her voice was barely a whisper.

the envelope. I unfolded the paper slowly, facing handwriting that clearly belonged to someone fighting pain while trying to say everything he needed to say. I began reading out loud, projecting my voice just enough for Madeline to hear over the distant hum of the city below. "My dearest Madeline, I never knew how to ask for forgiveness. I was raised to believe that

moment. 1/3 "I'm sorry, my daughter. Sorry for taking a lifetime to realize that I wasn't the father you

of a man Madeline had probably never fully known. "When everything started to fall apart, when I realized I no longer knew how to stay in control, the drinking came. The addictions. And then Dominic appeared, collecting debts I could no longer pay with money. But he knew very well how to collect

when I realized I was already so deep that there was no way out. For a time, I truly believed you would be safer at Dominic's side than standing against him. Now I know how wrong I was." The

important things to think about. You." I turned the page, reaching the part that was clearly more practical: "I've left all my shares of Sullivan Parks to you, making you the majority partner. You can do whatever you