Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 104 Christian's POV "Absolutely not." My voice echoed through the conference room, louder than I'd meant it to. "These numbers don't make sense." Marcus, sitting to my right, rubbed a hand over his face, frustration mirroring my own. Across from us, on the massive video screen, three members of the Euradian board watched with expressions that hovered somewhere between boredom and disdain. "The numbers are clear, Mr. Kensington," said Vincent Caldwell, the eldest of the three, adjusting his reading glasses.

"Projections show that the organic project will require an additional forty percent investment beyond the original budget to meet certification standards." "That's ridiculous." I flipped through the reports in front of me. "Our team conducted a detailed cost analysis. Organic certifications have fixed, well-documented fees." "Perhaps your team's estimates failed to consider all the variables," Caldwell said, his tone laced with condescension. I took a slow breath, forcing myself to stay calm.

Ever since Anthony had been removed from the board, every report, every approval, every Euradian directive had felt off-bloated with artificial roadblocks. "We reviewed all estimates with independent experts less than two months ago," I said, keeping my voice measured. "Certification costs are clearly defined and far below what you're presenting now." "Ah, but that was before the new Euradian regulations on the import of organic wines from non-member countries," said Sandra Langston, the youngest of the trio, with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "They were approved last week.

Surely you received the memo?" I exchanged a quick glance with Marcus, who subtly shook his head. No memo had arrived. "Seems there's been a communication issue," I said, adjusting my tie to buy time. "We'd like to review these new regulations before approving any budget revisions." "Of course." Caldwell closed his folder with deliberate finality. "We'll send all the documentation. In the meantime, it might be wise to pause the expansion of the organic project until these... issues are resolved." Exactly what I'd feared.

project continues as planned." My tone left no room for debate. "Any budget adjustments will be evaluated after a full review of the new regulations." "As you wish," Caldwell said, voice dripping with false civility. "We simply can't guarantee Euradian certification if the proper protocols aren't followed." The meeting ended shortly after, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. "That

agricultural department last week." Marcus nodded, drumming his fingers on the table. "Anthony?" "Who else?" I

by the window. "He must have help. Someone with access. I'll tighten system security and check who accessed the original reports before these so-called ' revisions.'" "Do that," I

bought or intimidated, it's her." Marcus considered that for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Makes sense. I'll take care of it today." When I finally made it back to my office, the sun was setting, casting a

the framed photo on my desk. It was a gift from Joseph after the wedding. Zoey and I on the day of the ceremony. Her eyes

phone and dialed the number that had become the most familiar one on my call log. Three rings later, her voice filled the line. "Hey." I could hear the smile in her voice. "Hey." Just the sound of her was enough to ease the tension in my shoulders. "Did I interrupt something?" "Only my fifth episode of The Great British Bake Off," she said, laughing softly. "No news from the interview?" "The usual," she said, trying to mask the disappointment in her tone. "'We'll

villains?" I couldn't help but smile. That was one of the things I loved most about our conversations-how easily she could pull me out of my frustration, turn it into something lighter, almost manageable. "How did you guess?" "Your tone," she said. "And that little wrinkle between your eyebrows that I'd bet is there right now." Her accuracy was unsettling, even from miles away.