Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 256 Nathaniel's POV For a moment, I just stared at Annie standing in the doorway-her hair slightly tousled, her expression frozen in absolute shock. But my gaze quickly drifted past her, into the apartment... to him. Marcus. Relaxed on her couch like it belonged to him. Leaned back with that casual, arrogant posture meant to broadcast control. One arm draped along the backrest, legs spread just enough to make a point, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Everything about him screamed possession-of the space, of the moment... maybe even of Annie.

The air thickened instantly, turning heavy and sharp. Without waiting for permission-but without asking, either-I stepped inside with controlled, deliberate movements, closing the door behind me. The click echoed like a declaration of war. "What are you doing here?" I shot back, keeping my voice low but firm enough to leave no room for games. Marcus's smirk widened, clearly entertained by my unexpected appearance. He didn't stand or even shift. Instead, he settled even deeper into the cushions, making it very clear he had no intention of leaving.

"Christian sent me," he said with infuriating calm. "To fix the mess..." He paused, eyes locking with mine, the challenge unmistakable. "Well, the mess you made." My jaw tightened, but I forced myself to stay composed. Marcus was playing some sort of subtle power game. I, however, was not in the mood. "Christian sent you into Annabelle's apartment?" I asked, dripping sarcasm. Marcus let out a low laugh that dug under my skin like a thorn. It was the laugh of a man who thought he held all the cards. "No," he admitted easily. "I came here on my own." The blunt honesty caught me off guard.

At least he wasn't dressing his intentions up with excuses. There was something almost admirable about the directness. Before I could respond, Annie cut in, clearly worn out by the tension crackling through her living room. "Okay, enough," she said, arms folded tight across her chest. "Marcus, you were just about to leave. Weren't you?" She wasn't asking. She was telling. And I could hear the exhaustion in her voice. She wanted him gone and this entire situation to stop spiraling. But Marcus, instead of standing like any decent human being would've, leaned back even further.

yet." Then he turned to me, eyes glinting with barely disguised provocation. 1/3 Chapter 256 +25 Bonus "And you, Nathaniel... what brings you here with flowers?" The question hung in the air like a dare. I glanced down at the bouquet

invisible motion, I slipped the card free and tucked it into the inside pocket of my coat before offering her the flowers. "They're from the team at the office," I said calmly, holding her gaze. "A way of saying we believe in innocence... and that we miss having

of the roses. "They're beautiful... thank you," she murmured, her voice carrying a gratitude that hit deeper than I ever expected. And then Marcus opened his mouth. "Interesting choice... red roses." His smirk sharpened, and every muscle in my body tightened. The words weren't subtle, they hung in the air like a loaded accusation. Red roses weren't exactly the kind of thing "the

and something else. Something like suspicion, as if she were fitting puzzle pieces together in her mind. The moment stretched, growing taut, precarious. And that's when

said finally, stepping back. That was a complete lie. I wanted to interrupt. I wanted Marcus out of her space. I