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.

on the outside,

asked, stepping inside without waiting for permission, like the place already belonged to

I frowned.

make plans?”

lunch with Nick before coming here.” Mia pointed at me

“Not you,” she said.

Matthew with very clear

Matthew blinked, caught

.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh,” I murmured.

Mia shrugged, satisfied.

rubbed the back of his neck, hiding the embarrassment in a way I found almost

sure,” he said, like he’d just remembered a meeting

“See you later, Gwen.”

“See you,” I replied.

heading for

a quick wave and followed

door closed, the silence

wasn’t threatening. It was a good silence. I walked to my chair and

time, I let myself smile without worrying about what came

were good

were good at

I knew, with a quiet certainty, that this was

Valement Estate

one clear, recognizable noise you could identify with your eyes

sounds that

creaking open

Tires crunching over gravel.

down the service

clink of dishes

coffee machine running

longer tried to be careful, because this place had stopped being a

had

Strong coffee.

Warm bread.

lingered in the

of freshly pressed laundry

standard hotel soap Martina had approved with all the seriousness

courtyard, I could still catch the faint scent

that these walls

checked a list with a

poured out of the oven, thickening

Martina stood right in the middle of everything without looking like the center of

room three,” she

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

I replied, opening

shot me an amused

two early arrivals today.The squeeze-ins.” I pulled

already lit

Squeeze-ins.

become normal over the past few weeks.People calling,

“any date.” I stepped over to the counter, grabbed a cup,

booked for the

Six months.

like that had to be some kind of polite

to accept that sometimes things actually work out without

I glanced at Martina.

booked through…” I started, because I still needed to hear

she finished

I let out a quiet

service door swung open, and

just

the day arrived right

I set my cup down on the

pointed at the

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

the guests complaining about

me the invoice,” I

supplier before I even finished my

said when he picked

carried

order.” On the other end, he immediately got defensive, confused, swearing he

didn’t argue.I just got straight to the

early check-ins today, and the kitchen needs the basics.You either send the correct order within an hour,