Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 434 Vivian's POV The road wound through the rolling hills of Highridge Valley, and I watched the vineyards stretch as far as the eye could see. It was ironic to be heading to a winery when our lives had turned into complete chaos because of another family in the same business. But Dominic had insisted this trip was essential to his plans, even though he refused to explain what those plans actually were. "Why do you want to buy a winery?" I finally asked, breaking the silence that had filled the car for miles." You've never shown any real interest in wine beyond drinking it at parties.

And you prefer whiskey, last I checked." Dominic kept his eyes on the road, but I caught the satisfied smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "It's part of my plan," he said simply, as if that explained anything. "What plan, Dominic?" I pressed, my patience starting to wear thin.

"You've been dragging me to secret meetings, strange encounters, and now we're driving out to visit a woman under house arrest to talk about buying a property that makes zero sense for your business." He finally glanced at me, and there was something cold in his eyes that made me swallow whatever protest I'd been about to make. "The problem with you, Vivian, is that you can't see long-term," he said, his condescending tone instantly setting my teeth on edge. "You're always focused on the immediate, on what can be fixed today.

gates of the Montgomery estate. It was impressive, I had to admit. A colonial-style mansion surrounded by acres of meticulously maintained vineyards. Hard to believe the owner was facing such serious legal trouble. We were greeted by a middle-aged woman who introduced herself as the housekeeper and led us to an elegant office where two people were waiting. I recognized Francesca Montgomery

had always made everyone else feel smaller. Beside her stood a man in a suit who was clearly her lawyer, holding a folder stuffed with documents and wearing a grim expression. "Ladies and gentlemen," the lawyer said as soon as we entered, "as Ms. Montgomery is serving house arrest under electronic monitoring, I must inform you that this visit is being

meeting." "Of course," Dominic agreed easily, slipping into an expression of complete innocence that I knew was fake. The lawyer had to say it. That much was obvious. But he was also being paid very well to make sure whatever was said in that room stayed there. Francesca studied us with calculating eyes before speaking. "So," she

conversation today, I'm sure you'll change your mind," he said confidently. "For starters, I don't want to buy one hundred percent. I want you as a partner." Francesca let out a bitter laugh. "And who would want a prisoner as a partner?" "Someone who understands

his ideas for Francesca, painting scenario after scenario about how they could work together, how Montgomery Winery could benefit from a strategic partnership, how certain market connections could be leveraged. I watched, fascinated, as he spun a complex web of possibilities. He spoke in terms vague enough not to alarm