Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Christian’s POV

“No, Christian. This has already gone too far!”

I felt Zoey’s fingers slip from mine, and before I could react, she was already pulling away, disappearing quickly into the crowd. For a second, I stood frozen, watching that blue dress vanish as dozens of curious eyes flicked between me and her retreating figure.

My grandfather remained on stage, his proud expression shifting into confusion. The microphone amplified his call, which now sounded more like a command:

“Christian? Zoey?”

There was no time to think. Years of hard negotiations had taught me how to improvise under pressure. I plastered on the most convincing smile I could manage and climbed onto the stage alone, slipping my arm around my grandfather’s shoulders.

“Forgive my fiancée,” I told the microphone, keeping my tone light. “Zoey has a touch of stage fright. Especially when all the attention is on her.”

Understanding murmurs rippled through the crowd. I could practically see the influencers already drafting captions about “the shy, adorable bride.”

“She was so moved by the announcement that she needed a moment.” I raised my glass. “But I can assure you, we’re both equally thrilled about the date. May fifteenth is already marked on our calendars and in our hearts.”

The crowd applauded, raising their glasses in a collective toast. Behind their expensive sunglasses and practiced smiles, I caught Elise watching me with suspicion. Next to her, Alex wore an infuriating half-smile. And in the back, almost hidden in the shadows of the vineyard, Francesca lifted her glass toward me, her eyes saying something I refused to acknowledge.

My grandfather pulled me aside as Marcus took the microphone to speak about a new line of wines.

“What really happened?” he asked, his voice low but razor-sharp.

“Exactly what I said. She has social anxiety.”

Joseph studied me with those eyes that could pierce through the most polished lie. The same eyes that had watched me grow up, evaluated every business decision I’d made, and hardened the day he found out about Francesca.

“She didn’t seem anxious when I spoke with her the other day.”

“It’s… selective,” I swallowed. “Depends on the situation.”

He nodded slowly, not fully convinced but willing to let it slide for now.

“May fifteenth, Christian. It’s not negotiable.” His hand gripped my shoulder with surprising strength for his age. “I’ve waited long enough to see this vineyard in the right hands.”

“Yes, Grandpa.”

“And Zoey is the right woman.” It wasn’t a question. “Don’t let her slip away.”

Thirty minutes of forced conversations and empty promises to people I barely knew later, I finally managed to slip away from the event. My footsteps echoed heavily as I climbed the stairs toward the suite, my mind a storm of conflicting thoughts

What was I doing? This arrangement had already spiralind far beyond what I intended it was supposed to be simple: she pretended to be my fiance for a few days, I cleared her father’s dete. A No feelingstrade

But nothing had been simple since the moment I saw her at that wedding teagi, time, her eyes carrying more pain than she wanted to admit

When I opened the door to our room, I found Zory pacing like a cage. The moment the saw me, the terms -her eyes red and swollen, her breathing uneven.

“Christian, I can’t…” Her voice was breaking, “This is too much. A wedding in May? You gather announcing it to everyone as if-”

She looked on the verge of collapse, her hands trembling as the gestured wildly, I rougher the bigger, the wasn’t acting. This was real panic.

“Breathe, Zoey.” I stepped closer, keeping a careful distance. “Just brea

“I can’t!” Tears began spilling down her face. “How did we get here? It was supposed to be just a trip, a few days of pretending Now there’s a wedding date and… I can’t get married, L. I hate wedding. I know it’s a lie, but just the thought of it-”

Something cracked inside me at the sight of her like that Seeing a woman Religjenced to this because of the arrangement I had proposed… it wasn’t right. This wasn’t how I did business. This wasn’t how i tward the people who helped me.

Zoep My voice came out softer than I meant. “It’s okay

“It’s not! None of this is okay! I can’t—”

“Okay.”

“Just a chat.” She smiled, that same smile that used to disarm me. “Like old times.”

I shook my head, lifting my glass again.

“There are no ‘old times,’ Francesca. You made sure of that when you stole our trade secrets.”

She sighed dramatically, leaning closer.

“We were young and foolish. People make mistakes.” Her hand brushed against my arm, her fingers tracing slow circles. “Some mistakes can be corrected, you know?”

I looked at her, noticing the subtle changes since the last time we had been this close. A few fine lines at the corners of her eyes, a new haircut, the same unshakable confidence that she could always get what she wanted.

“I’m not interested in correcting anything.”

“Christian…” She leaned in closer, her face just inches from mine. “We both know that girl isn’t for you. What does she have to offer? What does she know about our world?”

“More than you think.”

A predatory smile curved her lips.

“But she isn’t here now, is she?” Her hand slid further up my arm. “And I know exactly what you need.”

Francesca leaned in even closer, her lips almost brushing mine. That’s when I heard the faint sound of fabric brushing against the doorway.

I turned just in time to catch a glimpse of blue disappearing-the hem of Zoey’s dress.

I shoved Francesca back instantly, already on my feet.

“Zoey!”

But she was gone, her hurried footsteps echoing down the empty corridor.