Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 240

Chapter 240

Nathaniel’s POV

When I saw Annie walking up to the terrace with Henry, a sharp sting of jealousy hit me. I tried to rationalize it as professional concern. After all, Henry was an important client, and Annie was a valuable employee. It made sense that I’d want to be sure things were going smoothly.

At least that’s what I kept trying to tell myself.

“The Vintara wines are being very well received,” Alexandra said beside me, following my gaze. “Christian always chooses the best.”

“Hmm,” I muttered, only half listening.

“I think I’ll take a look at the terrace,” I said, aiming for casual. “Check how the drink setup is doing outside.”

“Great idea,” Alexandra agreed immediately. “I’ll go with you. I want everything to be perfect.”

So much for going alone.

The terrace was beautifully decorated, tiny lights woven through the greenery, giving the whole space a warm, intimate glow. Henry and Annie were talking near the railing. She held a glass of red wine and laughed at something he’d said. Her laugh was real, unguarded, and for a moment I wondered if I was being ridiculous for letting it bother me.

“Henry,” Alexandra called out as she approached with her flawless social smile. “Are you enjoying the party?”

“Very much,” Henry said, turning to greet us. “You’ve exceeded all expectations. And the terrace is spectacular.”

“Thank you,” she said, clearly pleased. “And Annie, you look radiant tonight. What a beautiful dress.”

“Thank you,” Annie said. I noticed how she avoided my eyes when she greeted us.

A few minutes later, Zoey and Christian stepped onto the terrace, followed closely by Matthew and Gwen. What had started as a quiet moment between Henry and Annie quickly grew into a small group gathering.

“Oh good, there you are,” Zoey said as she reached us with Christian. “It was getting stuffy inside.”

“The terrace is perfect for conversation,” Christian said, taking a glass of wine from a passing server.

The conversation flowed easily. We talked about travel, about the differences between the Euradian and Verdanian markets, about wine, about the event itself. Annie looked comfortable, joining in with her usual quick humor, though I noticed she made a careful effort not to look my way for too long.

“You won’t believe what happened to me in Kyria,” Matthew said, slipping into the tone of someone about to tell a wild story. “I was mistaken for a pop star.’

“No way,” Gwen laughed. “You don’t look even remotely Kyrian.”

“It’s not easy keeping the Kensington image flawless, right? Zoey must know all about that. You can’t have a COO who… let’s say… handles certain tensions with an employee in an airplane bathroom the first chance he gets. Eventually those stories get out and ruin reputations. Don’t you agree, Annie?”

Her words hit like an explosion.

Silence swept through the group, sharp and raw. Zoey and Christian exchanged looks, both stunned. Henry looked confused, not fully grasping the details but clearly sensing something serious had just happened. Matthew froze mid-sip, the laughter dying instantly.

Annie went still. I watched the color drain from her face, shame and anger twisting together in an expression that nearly broke me. She tried to speak. Her lips parted. Nothing came out.

“Excuse me,” she whispered, so quietly it barely counted as sound.

Then she ran. She practically stumbled in her rush to get away.

“Annie!” Zoey called after her, but she was already gone.

Zoey shot me a look filled with worry and an unspoken question before heading after her sister without hesitation.

The terrace fell into a suffocating silence. Christian stared at me with an expression I couldn’t read. Henry looked completely lost. Gwen and Matthew exchanged uneasy glances.

And I stood there, frozen, fighting the instinct to chase after Annie while wrestling with the fury burning through me. Alexandra had taken something deeply personal, something private, and tossed it into the middle of a party like ammunition. She hadn’t needed explicit words. Everyone understood exactly what she meant. Of course they did.