Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 698

Renee's POV

The elevator doors were almost closed when I slipped inside with Nick.

He looked like a man who had already made a decision.

Jaw locked.

Eyes fixed on nothing.

Breathing short, like he was trying not to explode in the wrong place He didn't even look at me.

The note was still burning in my hand, crumpled from how tightly I'd been gripping it.

'I'm going back to Dad.' That piece of paper wasn't proof of anything.

And yet it was the only solid thing in a situation that was slipping out of my control.

The elevator descended, and the silence inside that metal box felt like a verdict.

I broke first.

"When you go file that...report," I said, choosing the word like I was offering something reasonable, "don't put my name on it." Nick let out a short, humorless laugh.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me." I kept my tone low, practical.

"Say she was with you.Say you...whatever." He finally turned his head.

The look in his eyes was the kind men like Nick use when they want you to understand you've crossed a line.

"I just want to find my daughter," he said slowly, like each word had to fit somewhere safe.

"And you're thinking about how the blame might land on you." I inhaled through my nose.

"That's not it, it's just-" I hadn't even finished the thought when he cut me off.

"You really don't know what it means to be a mother, do you?" he spat.

so raw that for

I stiffened.

like a saint with me, Nick." My

that's what matters right now."

with its concrete

already pulling his

I followed.

because I was

to let this story unfold outside my line

headed straight

parking. I'd left my car there because

without notice, ever since Gwen had

inside and started the engine

Nick pulled out, I waited just long enough for it not to look like I was

man late to save

drove like a woman late

the first intersection, I already had my phone in my hand, Bluetooth connected,

He picked up on the

Did something

"Bella's missing," I said.

Silence.

"What?"

kept my tone dry.If I layered too much emotion

asked, and now I could hear the professional side of him switch

from where? Your

what matters

that her father is on

"Nicholas?" he asked, confused.

"Yes." My jaw tightened.

a report, can this turn into negligence

I need to understand what happened," he insisted, in that infuriatingly calm tone of someone who wants a

at school.The little brat didn't go in," I snapped, only realizing the word

It didn't matter.

wasn't there to judge my

asking why she never

entrance and left?" he asked,