Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 154

Chapter 154

I was curled up on the couch in the media room, a giant bowl of popcorn on her lap, watching Edward’s TV interview for the third time. Christian sat beside me, his own bowl in hand, and the two of us watched it like it was the best movie of the year.

“Look at his face when the reporter asks about the organic certification,” Christian said, pointing at the screen, barely holding back laughter.

On the TV, Edward looked visibly uncomfortable, fidgeting with his hands and avoiding the camera.

“‘Sunvale acknowledges there were… irregularities in our certification process, I mimicked his voice, making Christian burst out laughing.

“The best part is when he admits Kensington was the pioneer in sustainable organic winemaking,” Christian said, tossing a popcorn

kernel into his mouth. “You should’ve seen his marketing team’s faces when they watched it live.”

It was impossible not to feel satisfied. After months of sabotage, humiliation, and threats, we finally had their first real victory. Edward had confessed on national TV. Sunvale was drowning in a credibility crisis, and their Vintara line was finally being recognized as the true organic innovation.

“So what now?” she asked, turning to Christian. “How are you going to deal with Elise and Francesca?”

Christian’s expression shifted instantly, that familiar protective seriousness settling in.

“That’s not something you need to worry about,” he said firmly. “You just focus on the baby, the Vintara launch party,

They both fell silent, the same thought hitting them at once.

“And Grandpa’s surgery,” she finished, her voice losing all its earlier joy. and…”

Christian nodded gravely. He’d been trying to stay busy, she knew, trying not to think about it. But Joseph’s surgery was scheduled for three days later. The doctors were hopeful. Joseph himself was optimistic and full of faith. But at his age, no surgery was ever simple-especially not heart surgery.

“He’s strong,” she said, forcing conviction into her voice. “Joseph’s strong, Christian. He’s going to pull through.”

“Yeah,” Christian agreed, though it was clear he didn’t quite believe it. “Of course he will.”

She took his hand, their fingers intertwining. No matter how much they tried to stay positive, they both knew the risks were real. And just the thought of losing Joseph made her chest ache.

The night before the surgery, Joseph gathered the whole family and his dearest staff for a special dinner in the mansion’s main dining room. The table was set with the family’s finest china, candles flickering warmly, and every one of Joseph’s favorite

dishes prepared with care.

“Kensington is entering a bright and promising new chapter. We have innovation, authenticity, an incredible team, and above all, we have love holding it all together. My great-grandchild will grow up in a better world, in a united family, and in a company that stands for true values.”

Joseph paused, his gaze sweeping slowly across the table once more.

“I hope I’ll be here to see it all bloom, to teach this baby about the vines, about our history, about the meaning of family,” he said, his voice trembling but steady. “But if I’m not… I want you all to know that I am deeply happy and proud. The future of this family is bright, and full of promise.”

The silence that followed was thick with emotion. Then Christian stood, tears shining in his eyes, his voice rough with feeling.

“Grandpa,” he began, “you didn’t just build a company. You built a legacy of integrity, love, and tradition. Every lesson you taught me, every moment we spent together in the vineyards, every story you told about our family… it’s all engraved in my heart forever.”

Christian looked directly at Joseph, his blue eyes glowing with unconditional love.

“You’re going to be there,” he said firmly, “to be the best great-grandfather this child could ever dream of having. You’ll teach our son about grapes, about the soil, about what family truly means-just like you taught me. Because you’re strong, you’re a fighter, and I know you’re going to win this battle too.”

When they finished, there wasn’t a single person at the table who wasn’t crying. Carmen wept openly, my parents clung to each other, Annie held Matthew’s hand, and I was struggling to breathe between sobs and the rush of emotion filling my chest.

It was a moment none of us would ever forget-a celebration of family, of love, and of the hope that the future would shine as brightly as Joseph believed it would.