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.

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 behind

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

A growing sense that there were deals happening behind closed doors that involved me, and I was the only one not in the loop. "Is there something you're not telling me?" I

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 me with that

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 I could respond, leaving me standing in the corridor with the sinking feeling that my life was