Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 157 Christian's POV I stared at Marcus for a few seconds, trying to process the urgency in his voice. Zoey was beside me, clearly confused and worried, and I could see the tension tightening her features. This was exactly the kind of stress she didn't need right now- especially after what had happened in Solara when Elise had confronted her. "Let's talk in the hallway," I said, standing up and gently touching Zoey's shoulder. "It won't take long." "Christian..." she began, her voice laced with concern, but I cut her off gently.

"I'll hear him out first, and then I'll tell you everything, I promise, I said, pressing a kiss to her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin, still tense from hours of waiting. "Stay here and rest. If there's any news about Joseph, call me right away." Zoey nodded reluctantly, torn between wanting to know what Margus had found and the relief of not having to handle more stress right now. Marcus understood perfectly. He gave me a knowing nod, aware I was trying to protect her.

We stepped out of the waiting room and walked to a quieter part of the hallway, near a window overlooking the hospital's inner garden. It was far enough that no one would overhear us, but close enough to get back quickly if there was news about Joseph's surgery. "Go on," I said, folding my arms, bracing myself for whatever Margus was about to tell me. He looked around to make sure we were alone, then took a deep breath, as if organizing a flood of information he didn't want to deliver.

"The forensic analysis of Elise's devices revealed way more than we expected," he began, his voice low but steady. "The IT team managed to recover deleted emails, WhatsApp conversations she thought she'd erased, hidden temporary files, even unsent message drafts.' He paused, watching me closely to make sure I was following. "Christian, everything's documented-dates, timestamps, metadata. Elise and Francesca were working together for at least six months. They exchanged detailed, methodical correspondence.

my chest "What kind of correspondence?" I asked sharply. "Emails outlining specific strategies to damage Kensington.

communications with Edward, Marcus went on. "She was the one leaking confidential information-development timelines, production data, even early Vintara formulations-and making it look like it came from your

'ruining her happiness,' even though she was the one who destroyed their friendship. And Francesca..." He hesitated, his gaze steady on mine. "Francesca wanted you back. At any cost." He held my eyes for a long moment. "They genuinely believed that if they could destroy your trust in Zoey and tank the family business, you'd turn on her. Francesca was convinced that once you thought Zoey had betrayed you, you'd go running back to her." 11 1/3 Chapter 157 +25 Bonus I ran a

was a message thread completely impulsive decision by Elise. Francesca was absolutely furious when she found out. There's an entire where she tears Elise apart, saying the goal was never to hurt you physically, that it had gone way too far." "She really didn't know?" "Not at all. She had no

had happened to you,' that 'this wasn't the plan,' and that 'she only wanted you back, not dead."" I

let it happen." I stayed silent for a long moment, letting the weight of those words sink in-trying to comprehend the sick level of obsession this all revealed. "It's a lot

that exact response. "That's the thing, Christian. There is something we didn't know. And it's a lot worse." Every instinct in me went on high alert. "What do you