Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 456 Marcus' POV The challenge began with a level of complexity that immediately demanded our full attention. We were locked inside an elaborately decorated room that felt like a cross between an old library and a scientific laboratory. Shelves packed with fake books, vintage equipment, paintings hiding coded messages, secret drawers-it was a sophisticated escape room designed to test both our teamwork and our ability to solve problems under pressure. But no matter how hard I tried to focus on the task, my mind stayed divided.

Madeline had been deliberately keeping her distance from me ever since we entered the room. When we needed to discuss clues, she spoke to the group as a whole instead of looking directly at me. And every time our eyes met by accident, she looked away immediately. It was unsettling. And frustrating. The last time we'd talked, she'd been completely affectionate. When I fell into the river during rafting, I'd seen real panic in her eyes-genuine concern. And now, just a few hours later, it was as if I were an unwanted stranger.

"Marcus, can you check if there's anything behind that painting?" Dante suggested, pointing to an ornate frame on the opposite wall. "Sure," I replied, heading that way while still watching Madeline out of the corner of my eye. She was working intensely on a series of number puzzles with Olivia, her brows furrowed in concentration. There was something almost fierce in her posture, as if solving those riddles was the most important thing in the world. "Find anything?" Christian asked, coming up beside me. "A hidden safe," I said, carefully moving the painting aside.

the room where the team was working together with focus. "This whole camp idea really worked," he added casually while examining the safe. "Everyone sees you

myself than to Christian. "You don't sound very confident," he observed. The truth was, I wasn't confident about much of anything lately. And it wasn't about the challenge itself. Madeline was clearly angry with me for some reason I couldn't identify, and I still had to decide how-or

upset with me for reasons I didn't understand? It would be like pouring gasoline on a fire I didn't even know how had started. 1/3 Chapter 456 +25 Bonus "Yes!" Zoey

1716, Grand Duke Cosimo formally defined the borders of the Classico Valley, laying the foundation for the region's wine legacy." The entire room went still, everyone turning to stare at Zoey in surprise. Christian was watching her with unmistakable pride written all over his face. "How do you even remember that?" he asked, clearly impressed. "I've been studying," she replied, trying to sound casual, but failing to hide her satisfied smile. I turned to

never taking his eyes off her. "My wife is a wine nerd." I entered the numbers into the safe. It opened with a satisfying click, revealing an ornate key and a parchment with the next clue. "Excellent work," I said to Zoey, but my eyes automatically searched for Madeline, wanting to share the small victory. She was looking-but the second our eyes met, she quickly turned back to her own task. It was as if

we worked methodically through a series of interconnected challenges. Latin codes. Math puzzles. Riddles rooted in wine history. Clues that required knowledge of Valentian geography. It was impressive how our team functioned as a single unit, each person