Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 242

Chapter 242

Nathaniel’s POV

The air on the terrace stayed heavy even after Annie and Zoey disappeared. An awkward silence settled over the group, broken only by the distant music drifting from the main hall. Alexandra stood there with that satisfied little smile, like she’d just won something important. She clearly believed she’d “put me in my place” with that toxic comment.

Gwen and Matthew exchanged uneasy glances. Neither knew how to handle what had just happened. Henry looked genuinely lost, trying to make sense of Alexandra’s insinuation without understanding the context.

That was when Christian stepped toward me. His face was neutral, but I knew that look. It was CEO mode. Leader mode. Decision-making mode.

“Nate,” he said in a calm, controlled voice. “We need to talk.”

That wasn’t a request. It was a polite order.

We walked to the far end of the terrace, where the string lights cast softer shadows and gave us a bit more privacy. Alexandra watched us from a distance, eyebrows lifted, clearly convinced Christian was about to reprimand me for being involved with an employee.

If she knew what was actually about to happen, she wouldn’t be smiling.

“So,” Christian said as soon as we were far enough, cutting straight to the point. “Is it true? What Alexandra implied?”

I rubbed the back of my neck. Tension had settled deep there. Lying never crossed my mind. Christian deserved honesty, especially now that Annie was part of his family.

“Yes,” I said. “It happened. But it was before she officially joined Kensington. I won’t pretend I didn’t know who she was, because I did. I figured it out while we were talking. What happened was impulsive.”

I paused, choosing my next words carefully.

“But since then, I’ve done everything I can to keep things professional and respectful. We built a friendship. A working dynamic that’s good for both of us.”

Christian crossed his arms. His expression stayed firm, but not hostile.

“Alexandra has contacts everywhere. I’m not surprised she found out,” he said. “But that’s not what concerns me.”

He met my eyes with that same steady stare I’d seen a hundred times back in university.

“The problem isn’t that Annie works at the company. We don’t forbid relationships at Kensington. As long as they’re consensual and discreet. You know that.”

“Then what’s the problem?” I asked. Even though, deep down, I already knew.

“The problem is that she’s my sister-in-law,” Christian said without hesitation. “Zoey’s sister. And I’m not going to let you treat her like some passing fling. Annie looks tough. She’s not.”

His words hit like a punch. Not because I disagreed, but because they were deserved.

I exhaled slowly, staring at the floor for a moment before forcing myself to speak.

“I know,” I said quietly. “That’s exactly why I’ve been keeping my distance. Because I know I can’t treat this lightly. But it’s getting impossible, Chris.”

He held my gaze.

“If she truly is your Zoey, then don’t quit just because Alexandra wants attention and drama. But understand something very clearly.”

His voice hardened.

“If you hurt Zoey’s sister, if you play with her feelings or treat her like she’s disposable, you will answer to me. And I won’t be understanding.”

I nodded, the seriousness of his warning landing exactly where it should.

“The last thing I want is to hurt Annie,” I said, and every word was the truth. “The last. She’s had enough bad relationships. I don’t want to be another one.”

“Then don’t be,” Christian said simply. “Be the man she deserves.”

We looked back toward the group still lingering on the terrace. Alexandra watched us with a stiff, less confident expression now, like she was realizing the conversation hadn’t gone the way she hoped. Henry had disappeared. Matthew and Gwen had drifted off to talk quietly in their own corner.

When we returned, the atmosphere felt different to me. Like something inside me had settled. The talk with Christian gave me a clarity I hadn’t had before. I wasn’t going to hide how I felt about Annie, but I wasn’t going to push her or trap her in anything uncomfortable either.

I was going to earn her trust. I was going to show her my feelings weren’t temporary.

And if Alexandra wanted more drama, she could go right ahead. I wasn’t letting her shape my love life anymore.