Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 440 Madeline's POV "What are you doing here?" I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady. Vivian rose gracefully, brushing invisible dust from her immaculate clothes. "Looking for a briefcase," she replied with unsettling calm. "You haven't seen it, have you?" The thing was, I had. The moment I stepped into the room, my eyes had caught a flash of brown leather tucked between two bookshelves in the opposite corner. The briefcase was right there, partially hidden but clearly visible if you knew where to look. I should have grabbed it, run out, and won the game for Kensington.

It was the logical, strategic thing to do. But I didn't. Instead, I crossed my arms and pressed on. "You know exactly what I mean. What are you doing here in Valentia?" Vivian took a few steps closer, and what surprised me was her posture. She wasn't aggressive or defensive like I expected. There was an almost peaceful calm to her movements, as if this conversation were completely normal. "I separated from Dominic," she said simply, like she was commenting on the weather. I laughed out loud, unable to stop myself. "I don't believe you," I said. "You two are perfect for each other.

Two liars, criminals, completely without scruples. A match made in hell." Vivian shrugged with elegant indifference and went back to searching through the furniture, her hands checking every drawer and compartment with professional precision. "I don't really care what you believe or don't believe," she said, her voice still infuriatingly calm. "We split up. He has other plans that don't include me." I laughed again, this time sharper, meaner. "So that's it," I taunted. "He finally dumped you." Vivian paused and turned to look at me, mild amusement flickering across her face.

moment, trying to connect the dots. "And you expect me to believe you broke up when you're the

her search and turning to face me fully. "I won't. Not when I don't know the plan." She walked over to an armchair and leaned

"They never waste time on things they don't think deserve it. Like reading contracts." The smile she gave me was pure victory, and for a moment, a chill of recognition ran through me. This was the Vivian I knew. Calculated, manipulative, and ruthlessly intelligent. "You're still rotten," I said, unable to hide my disgust. "I just want a fresh start, and I needed to secure myself financially," she shot back with cold

her voice, lit a fire inside me. Maybe it was the pregnancy and the hormones. Maybe it was months of bottled tension. Or maybe I was just done being underestimated. "Too bad that's not going to happen," I said. Then, in

sprinting for the door. "Marcus! Mia!" I shouted as I tore down the hallway, the suitcase swinging wildly in my hand. I heard footsteps behind me. Vivian, trying to catch up. But I had the advantage of surprise and momentum. I flew down the stairs, my heart pounding, fueled by both the run and the rush of victory. Marcus and Mia appeared from opposite directions, their expressions shifting quickly from confusion