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.

“Christian will offer you the position formally,” I added.

“So pretend to be surprised.” Matthew let out a quiet laugh.

“Yeah…” he said, like he was testing the idea inside his head.

“That actually sounds perfect.” Warmth spread through my chest.

“I’ve been thinking about a change of scenery anyway,” he added, with a hint of humor.

“Then welcome to Florentia,” I said, and the words came out like a blessing.

“May Valentia bring you as much happiness as it brought me.” Just then, there was a light knock at the door.

Mia appeared with the same expression as always.

the

asked, stepping inside without

I frowned.

plans?” I asked

that.I actually had lunch with Nick before coming here.” Mia pointed at me like she was correcting a

“Not you,” she said.

at Matthew with

Matthew blinked,

.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh,” I murmured.

Mia shrugged, satisfied.

of his neck, hiding the embarrassment in a way

like he’d just remembered a meeting on

“See you later, Gwen.”

“See you,” I replied.

already heading for the door,

a quick

closed, the silence

it wasn’t threatening. It was a good silence.

time in a long time, I let myself smile without

were good

were good at

a quiet certainty, that this was

Valement Estate had a

clear, recognizable noise you

that

gate creaking open

Tires crunching over gravel.

down

soft clink of dishes

machine running

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

it had

Strong coffee.

Warm bread.

that lingered in the air even out

clean smell of freshly pressed laundry drifting

standard hotel soap Martina had approved with all the seriousness

I crossed the courtyard, I could still catch the

that these

a list with a pen

the oven, thickening the

right in the middle of everything without looking like the center

cappuccino for the couple in room three,” she said,

fruit without honey.No honey, Nick.I know you think it’s ridiculous, but that’s

didn’t say anything,” I replied, opening

amused look, and I

forget.We’ve got two early arrivals today.The squeeze-ins.”

already

Squeeze-ins.

word had become normal over the past few weeks.People

the counter, grabbed a

booked for the next

Six months.

had to be

accept that sometimes things actually work out without asking your

I glanced at Martina.

because I still needed to hear it out

months,” she finished

making that shocked face, I’m going to start charging admission.” I let out

open, and Paula walked in pushing

bread delivery just

problem of the day

she hesitated, “it’s wrong.” I set my cup down

pointed

and gluten-free.Where are the regular ones?” I closed

complaining about

“Give me the invoice,” I

supplier before I

I said when he picked

tone carried a

the other end, he immediately got

just got straight to the

needs the basics.You either send the correct order within an hour, or I’ll buy it somewhere else and