Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 453 +25 Bonus Madeline's POV The dining hall was quieter at lunch. Marcus's absence was palpable. An empty chair that seemed to scream his name at the table. I absentmindedly stirred my soup, far more worried about his condition than the meal in front of me. My plate was practically untouched, slowly going cold while my thoughts stayed fixed on the medical wing. "I just want these activities to be over so we can go home," I murmured, glancing out the window toward the medical building.

"This retreat could've been really great if it weren't for Montgomery's sabotage." "It really could've," Zoey agreed fervently, adjusting her orthopedic boot under the table. "Now I've got an injured foot and Marcus's in the medical wing with hypothermia." "And let's not forget we lost crucial points in the competition," Luke added, methodically cutting his piece of meat. "We were disqualified in rafting while we were in first place overall." Christian let out a heavy sigh, clearly blaming himself for the whole situation. He'd been pushing food around his plate the entire meal, barely eating.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this," he said, running his hands through his hair in clear frustration. "I planned all of this to improve things within the team. To create unity and trust. To strengthen professional bonds through shared experiences." "And in that sense, you absolutely succeeded," Luke cut in, his voice full of genuine conviction. "Everyone followed Marcus's orders to the letter during the activities. He led us to victory twice in a row before today's mess." "That's true," Olivia added, leaning slightly toward Luke, the movement subtle but noticeable to me.

"And everyone jumping off the bridge to support Zoey? That was epic. I'll never forget the organizer's face when he realized our entire team had willingly jumped into the safety net." Christian laughed, clearly amused by the memory. "I'll admit, it was the most unexpected thing I've ever seen at a corporate competition," he said. "You turned a near disaster into a team celebration." "Even Mia jumped..." Luke commented with a mischievous grin, looking straight at his sister. "I did not jump!" Mia protested immediately, rolling her eyes dramatically. "I was pulled.

you fully. Just not enough to voluntarily jump off a bridge. I do have limits to my insanity." Everyone laughed, and for

kind of unconditional loyalty in what's technically supposed to be a corporate environment.' "It stops being corporate when it's real family," Christian replied, his expression softening. "That's exactly 1/3 +25 Donus what I wanted everyone to understand." "Mission accomplished, then," Zoey said, gently touching Christian's arm. "Even with all the problems,

all carrying. Dante managed to get some genuine laughs by telling stories about his questionable adventures in Ascia, and even Mia seemed more relaxed, joining in on the jokes at her cousin's expense. "In Siamara," Dante was saying, "I tried to impress a local girl

was," Dante replied with a self-deprecating smile, "so impressed by my stupidity that she ran off and I never saw her again." Even I couldn't help laughing at that, despite the constant worry about Marcus occupying most of my thoughts. Christian was the first to stand, checking his phone, which had buzzed discreetly a few times during dessert. "I need to take this call," he

remaining activities and speculating about when Marcus would be cleared to leave the medical wing. Once dessert was finished and the plates were taken away, an overwhelming need to see Marcus in person took hold of me. I needed to be absolutely sure he was really okay. "I think I'm going to try to visit Marcus now," I said finally, standing carefully. "Do you want me to come with you?"