Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 239 Alexandra's mansion was even more impressive than I'd imagined. Set in one of London's most exclusive neighborhoods, it was the kind of place you saw in architecture magazines or in the dreams of people with far more realistic budgets. Henry was waiting for me at the entrance. He looked flawless in a tux that could've been tailored just for him. He held two glasses of champagne. "You look stunning," he said as I reached him, offering one of the glasses with a warm smile. "Thank you," I replied, taking the champagne and trying to pretend my heels weren't already killing me.

Henry held the door open with that effortless politeness that seemed baked into him since childhood. It was the kind of gesture that should've made me melt. Instead, it just made me grateful for basic manners. Nothing more. Inside, the mansion was breathtaking. A massive crystal chandelier. Marble staircase. White flowers arranged with absurd precision. Servers walking around with trays of canapés that probably cost more than my daily paycheck. It was opulence designed for social pages and optics. Not for genuine celebration.

"Impressive," I said, taking in the gold detailing on almost everything. "Alexandra certainly didn't hold back," Henry agreed. "Though I admit I prefer more... intimate settings. But for business, I suppose extravagance has its purpose." We stepped into the main hall. The party was already in full swing. The first thing I noticed was how Zoey and Christian naturally drew attention. They didn't try. It was simply who they were. Christian with that commanding presence of a successful CEO. Zoey with her elegance that managed to be both refined and warm.

They were speaking with a group of Euradian investors, and I could see everyone leaning in, genuinely engaged. Then my eyes landed on Nate and Alexandra across the room. They were drawing attention too. But in a completely different way. Alexandra wore a stunning red dress that looked chosen specifically for photographs. Every move she made. The way she held her glass. How she touched Nate's arm. The tilt of her head when she laughed. It all felt calculated to project a "power couple" image. It was theatrical. And it worked.

looked between them. Nate fit the role easily. Responding to Alexandra's touches with perfectly timed smiles. Shifting his stance for the discreet photos people were taking. It was like watching

I agreed, trying to sound casual. And that's when it happened. In the middle of the crowd, the chatter, the music, Nate looked my way. Our eyes locked for a few seconds. The intensity hit me hard despite the distance. Something in his expression knocked the air out

seem a bit distracted. Are you alright?" "Yes. It's just... a lot of people, a lot

in a way that felt real. It was almost frustrating how perfect he was on paper. When he talked about wine, he knew what he was saying without sounding pretentious. When he asked about my family, he showed interest without crossing lines. When he complimented my dress, he

The kind of man my mom would love to meet. The kind who made any relationship look grown-up and steady. So why did it feel like I was trying to convince myself instead of simply feeling it? Why wasn't there that flutter in my stomach? Why

wanting to hear another voice. Was I broken for relationships, or just stuck on feelings I should've let go of by now? The only person who'd managed to make me forget Nate, even for a short time, was Wanderer. His messages had pulled me in so completely. The smart questions. The poetic way he saw the world. For a few days, he'd made me feel that spark again. That curiosity. That tiny thrill. But he'd vanished too, slipping out of my life as