Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 726

My office door was closed. My name was still there.

I held the handle for a second before opening it.Just to feel it.

When I stepped inside, I found Matthew sitting at the desk.

Not in the main chair.

In the guest chair.

The detail made me smile before a single word was spoken.

Matthew stood the moment I walked in. He had the kind of presence that comes from a man who learned how to be discreet even when he deserves applause.

Even so, his eyes looked lighter.

“I wanted to officially return the crown,” he said, with a smile that balanced humor and respect perfectly.

“Symbolically, of course.I didn’t actually buy a crown.” I laughed.

The sound came easily.No defenses.

“Good,” I replied.

“That would’ve been an unnecessary expense.I already have an entire board to remind me how heavy it is.” He laughed too, and the office felt less like an office and more like a place.

“And I bet you probably have one in your closet.” I pretended to think about it.

“Maybe,” I said, and we both laughed again.

I walked over and hugged him.

A real hug.

Not the polite, distant kind this building usually demands. I felt his body stiffen for a second, like he still wasn’t used to being… appreciated like that.

“I’ll never be able to thank you for everything you did for me,” I said quietly.

Matthew took a slow breath.

“That’s what friends are for,” he answered simply.

I stepped back and moved to the desk, setting my bag down in its usual spot.

My office looked exactly the same. But I wasn’t.

“I want you to stay,” I said, getting straight to the point.

“If you want to.” Matthew looked at me carefully.

“Stay?” he asked.

“In Florentia?”

I leaned lightly against the edge of the desk.

“As Executive Director of Operations,” I said.

I watched his expression change.

The kind of surprise that happens when someone realizes they’re not just being useful.

They’re being chosen.

you the

be surprised.” Matthew let out a quiet

was testing

perfect.” Warmth spread through

been thinking about a change of scenery anyway,” he added, with

said, and the words came

Valentia bring you as much happiness as it brought

Just then, there was a

with the same expression

the outside,

waiting for

we make plans?” I asked

had lunch with Nick before coming here.” Mia pointed at me like she was

“Not you,” she said.

at Matthew with very clear

Matthew blinked, caught off

.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh,” I murmured.

Mia shrugged, satisfied.

neck, hiding the

sure,” he said, like he’d just

“See you later, Gwen.”

“See you,” I replied.

lunch.” Mia was already heading

a quick wave and followed

closed, the silence

time

a good silence. I walked to my chair

And for the first time in a long time, I

were good at

were good at

with a quiet

Estate

one clear, recognizable noise

of smaller sounds that came together

creaking

Tires crunching over gravel.

echoing down

of dishes in

coffee machine

under footsteps that no longer tried to be careful, because this place had stopped being a project and

it

Strong coffee.

Warm bread.

in the air even

clean smell of freshly pressed laundry drifting

with all the seriousness of a board

crossed the courtyard, I could still catch the faint scent of

reminder that these walls had

in motion. One of the staff girls was lining up trays. Another checked a list with a pen

of everything without looking like

the couple in room

seven wants fruit without honey. No honey, Nick. I know you think it’s

I replied, opening the fridge. Martina shot me an amused look,