Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 266 The email landed in my inbox at nine a.m., formal and straight to the point. [Subject: Reinstatement to Position - Annie Bennett.] My heart still sped up as I opened it, even though Gwen had already told me yesterday's meeting had ended with me getting my job back. [Dear Ms. Bennett, we inform you that the administrative board of Kensington International has decided on your reinstatement to your position. Please report to the Human Resources Department at 10:30 a.m.

to sign the pertinent documents and receive a briefing on the procedures for the temporary supervision period.] The words temporary supervision felt like a constant reminder that even cleared, I was still being watched, evaluated, and measured. Better than suspension, but far from a real victory. I arrived at HR right on time, doing my best to look composed despite the storm inside me. Clara, the HR rep, greeted me with a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes and handed me a stack of documents to sign. "Welcome back, Annabelle," she said, gesturing to the chair across from her desk.

"I'm sure you're relieved everything got resolved." "I am," I answered, taking the pen she offered. "It was a... complicated situation." "It really was," Clara agreed, sorting the papers while I signed. "Fortunately, someone on the board intervened very strongly on your behalf." Something in her tone made me look up from the forms. "What do you mean?" "Oh, nothing major," she said quickly, but the flicker in her expression told me there was more. "It's just rare to see such a thorough, well-prepared presentation.

your defense together really put in the work." I finished signing and left HR with more questions than answers. I needed to understand what really happened in that meeting, and I knew exactly who could tell me. I found Gwen in our office, reviewing documents with that laser focus that always impressed me. I knocked, and she immediately looked up, smiling widely. "Annie!" She stood and pulled me into a hug. "How does it feel to be back?" "Confusing," I admitted, closing the door

sat back down, motioning for me to take the seat across from her. There was something in her expression, like she'd been waiting for this conversation. "What do you want to know?" "Everything," I said plainly. "Who defended me? How did they prove I was innocent?" Gwen exhaled, choosing her words carefully. "Marcus presented your defense during the meeting. He was very convincing, very well prepared. The evidence he brought was irrefutable. There were system logs, camera footage...proof you weren't even in the building 1/3 Chapter 266 +25 Bonus when the accesses were made." "Marcus put all that together by himself?" I asked, feeling a tug in my gut. There was more. I could feel it. "Well..." Gwen hesitated. "He only had all that evidence because

doors that involved me, and I was the only one not in the loop. "Is there something you're not telling me?" I

are you feeling?" "Grateful," I answered honestly. "Gwen told me you presented my defense yesterday. Thank you." "It was the least I could do," he said, but there was something in his tone that felt... calculated. He paused, studying

a decision made without me ever being consulted. "Marcus..." I started, but he cut me off. "Think about it, Annie. You proved your value here. You overcame every obstacle thrown at you. Now it's time to go somewhere you can shine even brighter." And just like that, he walked away before