Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 459 Madeline's POV The celebration party was winding down, and I watched with a mix of satisfaction and melancholy as our team enjoyed the last moments of relaxed togetherness. Over the past two hours, we had truly celebrated like a family. Everyone from Kensington Valentia had hugged, laughed, shared stories-created memories they'd take back to Florentia. It was comforting to see how adversity had genuinely forged bonds between people who had once been nothing more than coworkers. Christian had given a heartfelt toast about teamwork and unity.

Zoey, even limping around in her orthopedic boot, had led victory chants that echoed through the hall. Dante was still charming half the room with his stories, while Luke had finally worked up the courage to pull Olivia aside for a more private conversation, away from curious eyes. And through all of it, I had managed to keep up a cheerful façade while carefully avoiding any prolonged interaction with Marcus. Every time he got close, I found an excuse-to talk to someone else, to check on something, or simply to move to another corner of the room.

That was when I felt a familiar presence beside me and turned to find Marcus looking at me with a determination I immediately recognized as trouble. "It doesn't matter if you're mad at me," he said quietly but firmly. "We have more important things to talk about." "No," I replied automatically, feeling my emotional defenses snap into place. "You don't get to decide that." And before he could respond, I moved away toward the exit of the hall, leaving him standing there with a look of growing frustration.

packing our things for the trip home. I knew that sooner or later, Marcus and I would have to talk-living in the same house made that unavoidable. But I didn't want to do it in the middle of everyone, in a celebratory atmosphere, when my emotional wound was still raw and exposed. I needed time. Time to process. Time to organize my feelings.

appearances? I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely noticed the figure emerging from the shadows between the trees, until she spoke. "He didn't tell you, did he?" I turned to find Vivian watching me with an expression that

than my common sense. "What are you talking about?" I asked, hating myself for giving in to her obvious manipulation. 1/3 "Poor Madeline," Vivian sighed dramatically. "I'm here for you, you know? Someone has to tell you the truth." Irritation exploded inside me. I stepped toward her, abandoning any pretense of diplomacy.

to process what I'd just heard. We'd never had the best relationship. In fact, it had always been complicated-full of unmet expectations and mutual disappointments. But that didn't mean I felt nothing at the idea of him being