Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 243 Zoey and I walked back into the party with steady steps. Our arms were linked, a quiet show of solidarity that gave me strength with every stride. "You sure you're okay?" Zoey whispered, her fingers tightening around my arm in a soft, protective squeeze. "I'm okay," I said, managing a small smile. That was when Henry appeared. He stepped out from a small group near the main staircase and headed toward us with that natural elegance he carried so effortlessly. His expression held a hint of worry, the kind that came from genuine concern, not social curiosity.

"Annabelle," he said as he reached us, his voice calm and polite in the way I'd come to expect from him. "May I speak with you in private for a moment?" Zoey picked up the cue instantly. "I'll go find Christian," she murmured, giving my arm another supportive squeeze. "See you in a minute, okay?" "Yeah," I said, watching her disappear into the crowd. Henry waited patiently until we were standing in a more discreet corner of the hall near a small alcove filled with white flowers and soft lighting. The party noise still buzzed around us, but here we had a pocket of privacy.

"Annie," he began, choosing his words with care. "I didn't fully understand what happened on the terrace earlier. London social dynamics remain a mystery to me sometimes." He paused, studying me with eyes that seemed to be searching for more than just the surface. "But from the context, from how everyone reacted, and especially from the way you left... Alexandra's comment was about you and Mr. Carter, wasn't it?" Heat climbed up my neck at once. My face burned. The last thing I wanted was to unpack my personal disasters with Henry. Not after everything tonight had already dragged out of me.

"Henry, I..." My voice came out softer than I'd meant. "It was nothing important," I tried, forcing a smile that felt painfully fake. "Just gossip. You know how these corporate events are. There's always someone trying to stir drama out of thin air." Henry watched me for a few long, quiet seconds. And I could tell he didn't believe a word of my attempt at brushing it off. "Annabelle," he said, his tone firmer but still gentle. "I'm not here to judge you.

all." The sincerity in his voice hit

but he lifted a hand in a gentle gesture. "You're a brilliant, independent woman brave enough to move to another country and build a career in a competitive industry," he said. "That's what matters to me. The rest is your past. And everyone has one. I certainly have mine." I looked at him. Really looked at him for the first time all night. And all I saw was a genuinely good man standing in front of me. Not someone being polite out of obligation. Someone who meant every word he was saying. Someone who saw my worth outside of

drew a slow breath, pulling together every ounce of courage I'd found during my talk with Zoey. Then I decided to be completely

to someone. I don't want to pull you into my emotional mess, Henry." He studied me for a long few seconds. It felt like he was weighing each word with the same thoughtful attention he gave everything. Then a warm, genuinely understanding smile eased onto

sincere. "Thank you for your honesty. It's a rare quality." "Thank you for understanding," I replied, feeling a real wave of relief spread through my chest. "And if one day you do sort through those feelings and want to have a coffee, I'd be honored," he added with a gentle smile. "You're a fascinating woman, Annabelle, no matter the romantic context." With the same calm grace he'd approached me with, Henry stepped back