Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 123 I woke up with swollen eyes and a pounding headache. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, the late-morning glow telling me it was well past nine. I'd barely slept a few restless hours, haunted by dreams where Christian looked at me with that same cold, accusing stare from last night. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rubbed my face with both hands. My skin was still sore from crying for hours. After he left, I'd sat on the couch in silence, shifting between anger and heartbreak, trying to understand how everything had fallen apart so fast.

Part of me did understand his reaction. It did look bad-the bottles of wine, Edward's card, the timing of it all. And I knew about Francesca, about what she'd done to him. I knew the kind of scar betrayal had left on him. It made sense that he'd react on instinct. But understanding it didn't make it hurt any less. I'd thought he'd cool off and come back once he'd had time to think. Or at least call. Talk to me like an adult. I thought he knew me better than that-that what we had actually meant something. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand. No messages. No missed calls. Nothing.

I'd tried calling him three times in the middle of the night, but each time it went straight to voicemail. I dialed his number again, holding onto a sliver of hope that I'd hear his voice, some kind of apology, anything that would mean he'd realized his mistake. But once again, it went straight to voicemail. "Damn it," I muttered, tossing the phone onto the bed. If Christian wanted to sulk and ignore me, fine. But I had bigger things to worry about. Like finding out what the hell Edward meant by that card-and why he thought I'd done any kind of service for Sunvale.

I took a quick shower, pulled on jeans and a plain white blouse. This wasn't a social visit. It was business. I needed answers, and Edward Mendez was the only one who could give them. The Sunvale headquarters was downtown, a sleek glass building trying a little too hard to look like it belonged among Verdania's top wineries. I walked into the lobby, trying to project the confidence I didn't fully feel. "Good morning. I'd like to speak with Edward Mendez, please." The receptionist who was a young woman with tight curls and an overly bright smile looked up from her desk. "Of course!

some kind of celebrity? Before I could even process that, she was already calling upstairs. Within minutes, Edward himself appeared

office screamed insecure executive-oversized, filled with trophies, with a view he probably thought was impressive. He offered me coffee; I declined. Then he sat behind his enormous desk, smiling like

home." He picked up the card, glanced at it, then smiled even wider. "Oh, that! Just a small token of appreciation for your outstanding work. I thought you'd be happy to see the final results of your efforts." "My efforts?" I asked carefully. "What exactly are you talking about, Edward?" He tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. "Come on,

gave us was crucial in developing our sustainable line before they could. Brilliant move, really." My stomach dropped. "I'm sorry-what?" He laughed lightly, as if I were joking. "All that data you sent to get back at the Kensingtons," he said casually, like he was

you?" He frowned a little, cautious. "Of course I do. Why?" "I just..." I improvised fast. "I want to keep helping, but I lost access to my old account. Could you forward everything to my new email? That way I can review