Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 417

Chapter 417 

Vivian’s POV 

I was stretched out on the Valentian leather sofa in the living room, legs propped up, watching a thriller Dominic had chosen. It wasn’t exactly my first choice for a Thursday night, but I’d learned a long time ago that agreeing with his preferences was easier than trying to negotiate. 

Dominic was lounging on the other end of the couch, looking perfectly relaxed, a glass of whiskey in hand and an almost zen expression on his face. It was impressive how he managed to stay so unnervingly calm, as if the past ten days hadn’t been a complete storm of press, lawyers, and damage control strategies. 

The house was quiet except for the sound of the TV. We’d sent the maid home earlier, and the place had that domestic stillness that always made me slightly uneasy. Moments like this reminded me just how transactional our relationship really was, intimacy disguised as comfort. 

The movie cut to a commercial break, and that was when a polished Kensington wine ad appeared on screen. Stunning shots of vineyards in Serra Gaúcha, followed by elegant scenes of sophisticated people tasting wine in luxurious settings. 

“You know what I don’t understand?” I said, keeping my eyes on the screen. 

“What?” Dominic asked, sounding only mildly interested as he swirled the ice in his whiskey. 

“How you can be so calm while our golden goose, carrying your little golden chick, is hiding somewhere in the world with that Kensington.” 

Dominic turned his head toward me, a small smile forming at the corner of his mouth. 

“Somewhere in the world, no,” he corrected calmly. “Valentia. Florentia, to be precise.” 

My body shifted instinctively against the sofa. The casual way he said it caught me completely off guard. He knew where she was? 

“And if you know that, why aren’t we doing anything?” I asked, my voice sharpening. “Why haven’t you officially reported her kidnapping or let her parents do it?” 

Dominic took a deliberately slow sip of his whiskey before answering. 

“Because it’s not time yet.” 

“What do you mean, not time?” I pressed, turning fully to face him. 

“The time is for them to feel safe. To think they’ve won,” he explained with almost patronizing patience. “To let them believe they’re in control of the situation.” 

“But you mobilized the press,” I argued, thinking of all the strategic calls he’d made. “You had her parents crying on television. You made every paper call Kensington an international kidnapper.” 

“Exactly,” he agreed, his eyes glinting with a familiar satisfaction. “Because my plan includes completely destroying that family’s name. Turning them into public villains so that when the final blow comes…” 

He laughed again, and I forced a laugh in return, trying to sound casual about a comment that felt more like a product evaluation than a compliment. 

I decided to change the subject quickly before my discomfort became obvious. 

“So what do we do now?” I asked, turning my attention back to the TV as the movie resumed. 

“Now?” Dominic echoed, settling more comfortably into the sofa and refocusing on the screen. “Now we finish the movie.” 

e took another sip of whiskey, clearly signaling the conversation was over. 

“And we let them play happy family.” 

There was something in the way he said those last words that sent a chill down my spine. It wasn’t just coldness. It was a near-sadistic satisfaction, as if he were genuinely enjoying the idea of letting Madeline and Marcus build a false sense of safety. 

I turned my attention back to the movie, but my mind was nowhere near the plot on the screen. I kept thinking about Dominic’s tone when he mentioned Florentia. The absolute certainty with which he’d said it. If he knew exactly where they were all this time, why was he really waiting? What could possibly be more advantageous than simply taking Madeline and the baby back immediately? 

And more importantly… what exactly was this “final blow” he was talking about?