Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 307

Chapter 307

“I’m Christian Kensington’s sister-in-law,” I explained simply, watching Tori nearly drop the card she was holding. Her eyes went wide, her mouth fell slightly open, and she blinked several times, like she was trying to process something impossible.

“You’re… what?” she asked, taking a step back and shaking her head in disbelief. “Nate never mentioned that! And he and Christian have been best friends since college.”

I discreetly rubbed my temple, a dull headache starting to form. The noise of the party felt louder all of a sudden, and the chandelier lights were beginning to bother me.

“Yeah,” I said, leaning lightly against the nearby counter. “My sister Zoey is married to him.”

Tori ran a hand through her hair, still clearly processing the revelation.

“I can’t believe you never mentioned it… and that Nate never said anything either,” she murmured, looking at me with a whole new perspective.

“Why didn’t you ask Nate to make that connection with Christian for you?” I asked, genuinely curious about the family dynamic, while subtly shifting more of my weight onto the counter.

Tori grimaced and looked away, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of the card.

“Nate isn’t exactly a fan of my… plans,” she admitted with a sigh, her shoulders dropping slightly.

“Your plans to work as close as possible to billionaires?” I asked with a half-smile, watching her blush. ” Especially the young, single ones?”

Tori’s cheeks flushed visibly, but she lifted her chin defensively.

“I have to think about my future,” she said, crossing her arms.

I leaned more fully against the counter, a wave of light dizziness washing over me. It was probably the wine on an empty stomach. Tori was gesturing as she spoke, clearly feeling judged.

“I’m not judging you,” I said honestly, lifting a hand in a calming gesture. “If I were, I wouldn’t have helped. But the day you actually fall in love, you’ll realize there are things that matter more than money or… pedigree.”

Tori stopped gesturing and looked at me more softly, her arms slowly uncrossing.

“Thank you,” she said at last, her voice losing its defensive edge. She glanced down at the Christie’s card, turning it between her fingers. “I still can’t believe you did this for me. And… why did you? I just gave you a Christmas gift card. What do you want in return?”

“Nothing,” I replied, rubbing my forehead as the headache intensified. “I like you. Friendships aren’t transactions. And if Alexandra taught you otherwise, you might want to think twice before taking advice from

her.”

I noticed Tori frown at the mention of Alexandra, but my attention was increasingly overtaken by the growing sense of discomfort. The music from the ballroom felt amplified now, and I had to grip the counter more firmly. “Annie, are you okay?” Tori asked, stepping closer, real concern written all over her face. Her eyes scanned me

1/3

carefully. “You look kind of pale.”

“I didn’t eat properly today,” I admitted, massaging my temple in small circles. “And I’ve been under a lot of stress lately. I had a sudden drop in blood pressure the other day, and the doctor told me to stay hydrated and eat well. The wine probably wasn’t my best idea, but… hey, it’s New Year’s Eve, right?”

Tori moved even closer, extending a hand as if ready to steady me if needed.

“You should eat something,” she said, all earlier awkwardness completely replaced by genuine concern.

“I will,” I agreed, carefully pushing away from the counter and testing my balance. “I think I’m going to sit in the lobby for a few minutes. Get away from the noise.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Tori offered, stepping forward.

“No need,” I said, forcing a reassuring smile and motioning for her to stay. “Stay here and enjoy the party. I just need a few minutes of quiet.”

I left the ballroom and walked slowly toward the hotel’s main lobby. The contrast was immediate, and deeply inviting. The space was empty, softly lit, and the music had faded into a distant murmur.

It was exactly what I needed.

I made my way to one of the elegant sofas near the large windows overlooking London at night. I sat down carefully, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to steady the dizziness that was getting worse by the second.

Instead of easing, everything intensified. The headache had turned into a constant pressure, and a subtle wave of nausea crept in. It felt like my body was reacting to something-the accumulated stress, not eating properly, the wine, or all of it together.

I tried to focus on my breathing, but I could tell my awareness was starting to blur. The lobby lights seemed to flicker, even though I knew it was my vision failing, not the lights themselves.

My thoughts slowed, becoming thick and disjointed. I knew I should go back to the ballroom, ask for help, or at least call someone, but my body refused to cooperate. It was like watching everything happen from far away, unable to react in time.

That was when I heard footsteps approaching.

Through the haze clouding my mind, I saw a male figure walking toward me. For a brief, confused moment of hope, I thought it might be Nate, that he’d noticed I was gone and had come looking for me.

“Come with me,” a voice said, though I couldn’t fully register who it belonged to.

Hands helped me up from the sofa, supporting my weight when my legs failed to hold me properly. Part of me felt relieved as someone had found me and was helping. Surely they were taking me back to the ballroom, or to reception, somewhere they could call for medical help.

But as we walked, something felt wrong. Even through the fog in my head, I realized we weren’t heading toward the ballroom or the front desk. Instead, my companion guided me in a different direction, and I heard the unmistakable sound of elevator doors opening.

2/3

“No,” I tried to protest, alarm cutting through the confusion, but it was already too late.

I felt myself being led into the elevator, and when I tried to resist, I realized I was too weak to put up any real

fight.

COIN BUNDLE: get more free bonus

Comments

1

Support

Share

GET IT

3/3