Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 445 Marcus' POV The second activity was set in a wilder area of the complex, where a mountain stream ran between rocks and centuries-old trees. The organizer had put together an impressive setup. Three separate starting points, each with a pile of building materials and basic tools. On the other side of the stream, three brightly colored flags marked the finish points for each team. "Good morning, competitors!" the organizer's voice echoed through the crisp air.

"Today's activity will test teamwork, improvised engineering, and leadership under pressure." I studied the available materials as he spoke. Ropes, wooden planks, nails, hammers, and a few other items that had clearly been chosen to make the task challenging but not impossible. "Each team must build a functional bridge over the stream," the organizer continued. "The bridge must be strong enough for all thirty team members to cross safely. The first team to get everyone to the other side will be declared the winner.

The structures are designed to be safe, of course, and we also have protective nets in place to prevent accidents." Christian stepped closer to me as the organizer went over safety rules, his hands already moving in a way I recognized as his strategic planning mode. "A metaphorical bridge," he murmured. "Teamwork. Overcoming obstacles. Very symbolic." "And very physical," I replied, assessing the width of the stream. "About ten feet across. Moving water.

was an unmistakably amused tone in his voice that made me glance at him suspiciously. I laughed and decided to throw the teasing right back at him. "I'm guessing you're talking about yourself and Zoey," I shot back. "You two can't spend five minutes in a romantic setting without-" Christian laughed out loud, completely unfazed. "We take advantage of every moment," he admitted shamelessly. "But I'm not talking about us. You're a lot more... relaxed today." I felt heat rise to my face, and my reaction must've been obvious,

it's just attraction when you've literally just... consummated the attraction," I answered honestly. Christian stopped what he was doing and stared at

processing this, "that you've been married for months and only now...?" "It's complicated," I defended myself. "It's not exactly a normal marriage." Christian went quiet for a moment, clearly reassessing everything he thought he knew about my relationship with Madeline. "Then there's nothing to question," he said finally. "You definitely love that woman.' "What?" The statement blindsided me. "No... it's too soon to think about-" "It's

for a woman. Never. You wouldn't have that kind of patience or care if this were just physical attraction." His words made me stop and actually think. He was right about my past behavior. Relationships had always been simple. Direct. No emotional complications. If I wanted something, I went for it. If it didn't work, I moved on. There was no

makes everything worth it." "How do you know when-" I started to ask, but I didn't get to finish. Madeline, who had been talking with Zoey near the building materials, looked our way at that