Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 308 Alexandra's POV The sharp click of my Louboutin heels against the marble floor echoed through the hotel room, an impatient rhythm that perfectly matched my mood. Forty-five minutes. Forty-five damn minutes waiting to see if my plan would actually work. I stopped in front of the mirror and adjusted my red dress for the third time, irritated not just by the delay but by the space itself. The reflection staring back at me was flawless, as always-hair perfectly styled in elegant waves, makeup done by one of the best artists in London, exclusive Lennox jewelry catching the light.

`And yet, even though it was a Rosemont Hotel and I knew quality when I saw it, I had never stayed in such a... subpar room. The executive suite was nice, sure, with panoramic views of London and high-end finishes, but I usually stayed in presidential suites. Places where I belonged. Spaces that properly reflected my social standing, my status, my importance. But with everything fully booked for New Year's Eve, I couldn't afford to insist on something better just to execute a plan. And really, when I thought about it, it felt fitting. After all, I was dealing with inferior people.

An inferior room suited the kind of business that was about to take place here. I resumed pacing back and forth, mentally running through every element that needed to align perfectly. James had to approach Annie convincingly, and given his frustrated-actor talents, he'd probably done a decent job. She had to drink the prepared wine, and an innocent Verdanian like her wouldn't suspect a thing, especially coming from an "important client." But more important than any of that, Nate had to see them together. He had to witness his precious Annie laughing and drinking with another man.

Annie had always been an obstacle between Nate and me. From the moment he came back from that trip to Verdania with that stupid, dreamy look in his eyes, I knew something had shifted. He tried to hide it, of course, kept up the professional façade, but I knew Nathaniel Carter far better than he realized. I'd spent years studying every micro-expression, every shift in tone, every unconscious gesture. Annie Bennett. Just someone lucky enough to have a sister who married well. No pedigree. No real connections. Nothing that justified the attention she received.

the door made me freeze, my heart jumping with anticipation. Finally. I practically rushed to the door and flung it open. James stood there, carrying a woman in a white dress I

people like that girl. Who knows what she's carrying." And it was true. The very idea of touching Annie made my skin crawl. Not just because of social disgust, though

moved past me, carrying Annie into the room and laying her carefully on the king-size bed. It was obvious she was still fighting to stay conscious. Her eyes fluttered open and closed, like she was trying to wake from a heavy dream. Every so often, she attempted to move, but her limbs refused to cooperate. Perfect. Exactly the effect I wanted. "Did you follow the plan exactly, James?" I asked, moving closer but keeping a careful distance from the bed. "Yes," he replied, running

the main ballroom and had a perfect view of where we were standing." "And the wine?" I asked, even though the answer was obvious from Annie's condition. James gestured toward Annie on the bed, who was now trying to

"I got her to drink the spiked wine, exactly like you instructed. She didn't suspect a thing." "Excellent," I murmured, satisfied that everything was unfolding according to my meticulous planning. That was when I noticed Annie holding her phone, her fingers moving sluggishly across the screen in a clear attempt to type