Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 178 Christian's POV The walk back to the dining room was an exercise in self-control that demanded every ounce of strength I had left. Zoey stayed close, her hand tightly clasped in mine, her silent support the only thing keeping me steady. When every curious gaze turned toward us, I managed to force a polite smile. "Everything alright?" my mother asked, her brow creased in a rare display of genuine concern. "Perfectly fine," I said, pulling out Zoey's chair with automatic courtesy. "She just forgot to take her pain medication." The lie rolled off my tongue easily, smooth as truth.

Years of boardrooms and high-stakes negotiations had trained me well in the art of emotional camouflage. Joseph sat at the head of the table, his eyes glowing with that genuine warmth he always radiated when the family was together. My father sat to his right, speaking animatedly with Robert about this year's grape harvest. The normalcy of it all felt surreal, like a photograph of a moment that no longer existed. "How are you feeling, dear?" Regina asked kindly, leaning toward Zoey.

"It must be hard being away from Matt." "It's very hard," Zoey said softly, her honesty ringing through every word. "But the doctors say he's doing well. We'll be able to bring him home soon." The conversation flowed toward safer, lighter topics. Annie told funny stories about her latest projects, earning a round of laughter. Marcus cracked jokes that had even my mother smiling. Matthew argued football with Joseph, their voices rising good-naturedly over the odds of Gremora FC's next match. Carmen had truly outdone herself with dinner.

The shrimp risotto was flawless, the wine paired beautifully, and the dessert waiting in the kitchen promised to be just as perfect. Everything was warm, elegant, familiar. But I couldn't stop watching my father. My mind analyzed and dissected every movement, every word, and every subtle gesture. How could he sit there, chatting about trivial things, knowing what he'd done? "Christian," Joseph said, pulling me back to the present. "You're very quiet tonight. Business troubles?" "Nothing that can't be handled," I replied automatically, forcing another thin smile.

the table. Lawrence's voice carried a warm, practiced sincerity. "I'm just so relieved you're both alright," he said, looking straight at Zoey. "When I heard about the accident, I was terrified that I might lose my daughter-in-law and my grandson before I even had

"Is that so?" My voice came out colder than I intended, slicing through the warmth of the room like a blade. "You were really that worried about losing them?" 1/3 The silence that followed was instant and absolute. Every side

confusion. "Why would you even ask that?" "Maybe because next time," I said, my voice cutting through the room like a blade, "you should tell your mistress not to push my wife down the stairs." The words were

a violent burst of crystal and red liquid. Joseph straightened in his chair as if struck by lightning. Zoey's parents sat frozen, jaws slack, struggling to process

were doing with her!" "That's a ridiculous lie!" Lawrence barked, but I could see the flicker

I'd hit dead center. "You're paying for her treatment?" my mother whispered, her voice trembling, strangled. "Lawrence, tell me that's not true." "Isabelle, I can explain- "Explain what?" I shouted.