Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 295 The anger that ripped through me when Alexandra dropped that little bomb about Annie almost getting me fired was so intense I had to clench my fists under the table just to keep from exploding right then and there. It was exactly the kind of cheap manipulation I expected from her-throwing a sensitive, deeply personal issue onto my family's dinner table, knowing Annie would feel cornered and I wouldn't be able to react without turning everything into a scene. "What?" my dad repeated, clearly confused and now genuinely concerned.

I took a slow breath, forcing my voice to stay even and controlled. When "It wasn't like that, Dad," I explained, shooting Alexandra a sharp look. She was wearing that expression of fake innocence I knew far too well. "Annie got dragged into a lie about a supposed data leak at the company. they found out we had... met before she officially started working there, a few members of the board thought she might have been involved in corporate espionage. And that I was... complicit." "Espionage?" Oliver nearly choked on his wine.

"Christian thought that?" "Not for a second," I said quickly, wanting to be absolutely clear that my best friend had never doubted me. "But Christian was dealing with a lot in Verdania with his son, so the board handled it." "And what happened?" my mom asked, visibly worried. "Annie was fully cleared," I said firmly. "And so was I. There was nothing to find because we didn't do anything wrong." "Not exactly," Alexandra cut in with that breezy tone she always used right before causing damage. "Annie is still under supervision, isn't she?

Maybe it wouldn't be wise for you two to show up together at the New Year's party. Better to keep the relationship quiet for now." I felt Annie go rigid beside me, and my irritation with Alexandra spiked even higher. "Keep it quiet how?" Annie asked, her voice carrying a dangerous kind of calm. "Last time it was you who leaked everything." "Was it?" Alexandra replied, her feigned surprise so exaggerated it would've been laughable if it weren't infuriating.

I talk too much when I get excited..." She made a theatrical pause, touching her fingers to her lips like a child making a fake promise. "But I won't say a word this time." The bitter taste of that conversation lingered through the rest of dinner, even though my parents did everything they could to

she'd always been-Christian's cousin, Tori's friend, someone who'd always been welcome in our home. But I knew Alexandra too well to trust anything that came out of her mouth. The dessert my mother made, a chocolate pudding I normally adored, tasted like ash. Every casual comment from Alexandra, every smile she directed at Annie, every attempt to dominate the conversation grated on my nerves more

room for tea and conversation, the familiar warmth of my family's home 1/3 suddenly felt poisoned by her presence. I watched her compliment my father on his latest composition, praise my mother's Christmas décor, make Oliver laugh with stories about exotic animals she'd seen on her

softly, touching my arm. "Are you coming?" "I'll be right behind you," I told her, kissing her forehead. "I just want to finish a conversation with Alexandra." Annie studied me for a few seconds, clearly aware there was something unspoken

final sip of her tea as if she hadn't caused any trouble at all tonight. "We

you want," I said. "You can keep showing up at family events, keep handing out expensive gifts, keep pretending you and I have some special connection. But that door will always be closed to you." I paused, making sure she absorbed every word. "Annie and I are together.