Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 437

Chapter 437

Marcus’ POV

The cabins were far more impressive than I’d expected. When Luke mentioned rustic accommodations, I’d pictured basic wooden structures with just the essentials. What we found instead was something else entirely. Sophisticated alpine architecture that blended rustic charm with modern comfort.

Each individual cabin was built from polished hardwood, with sloped roofs covered in dark slate tiles. Large panoramic windows offered breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, while private decks furnished with solid wood furniture invited quiet moments of contemplation. Inside, from what I could glimpse through open windows, there were wood-burning fireplaces, heated floors, and elegant furnishings.

The central cabin where Christian was staying was even more striking. A two-story structure that served as the command center for the entire operation. With wraparound balconies and an observation tower, it looked more like a luxury mountain lodge than temporary housing for a corporate event.

Madeline walked beside me as we headed toward the main entrance, clearly impressed by the level of sophistication.

“This is not exactly what I pictured when you said camping,” she commented, taking in the architectural details.

“Christian never does anything halfway,” I replied as we climbed the solid wooden steps leading up to the main deck.

Before we even reached the door, we heard Zoey’s unmistakable voice coming from inside the cabin, thick with a fury that made my muscles tense on instinct.

“I’m not staying!” she shouted. “I’m not spending one second here with that woman!”

I exchanged a worried look with Madeline before pushing the door open, which was already ajar. The interior was even more luxurious than the exterior suggested. Exposed wooden beams stretched across the high ceiling. A natural stone fireplace dominated one entire wall. Aged leather furniture and Persian rugs completed the

space.

Christian stood in the center of the living room, hands raised in a placating gesture, desperately trying to calm Zoey, who was pacing back and forth like a caged animal.

“Zoey, please, let me explain,” Christian said, his voice tight with the effort to stay calm. “We can talk about this rationally.”

“Rationally?” Zoey spun toward him, her eyes blazing with indignation. “You want me to be rational about being in the same place as the family that tried to destroy us?”

“Love, please—”

“No one is staying!” she cut him off, gesturing wildly. “The Kensington team is leaving. We’re leaving right now, or I swear, Christian, I am not responsible for what I do next!”

Christian ran his hands through his hair, clearly frustrated by how distressed she was.

“She’s not here, Zoey,” he said firmly. “Francesca is still under house arrest. She’s never going to lay a finger on you again.”

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That was when they noticed us standing in the doorway. I stopped there with Madeline at my side, taking in the scene and silently confirming my suspicions about how the Montgomery presence would land.

“So you saw it too,” I said finally, my voice coming out lower than I intended.

Christian turned toward us, frustration written all over his face.

“You didn’t know about this?” I asked, even though the answer was obvious.

“Of course not!” Christian snapped. “I knew they’d be Valentian wineries, but there are hundreds of them. If I’d known the Montgomerys would be here, I never would’ve scheduled this competition on the same weekend.”

Zoey was still pacing, her agitation nowhere near settled.

“I swear I’ll rip out every strand of that blonde hair if she shows her face in front of me,” she declared, her voice leaving zero room for doubt.

“She’s not going to show up,” Christian said firmly. “Francesca is under house arrest. She can’t leave her property.”

“Then who’s representing the company here?” I asked, curious about how the Montgomerys were even participating.

“Apparently Montgomery was sold and is being restructured,” Christian explained. “That’s probably why they’re here. Team integration. With the sale and new leadership, they’re trying to rally the employees for a stronger return to the market.”

“How do you know that?” I asked.

“I read something about the sale a few days ago,” Christian replied. “A quiet transaction, but it showed up in some industry news.”

Zoey stopped pacing and turned to us, disbelief written across her face.

“Who would buy Montgomery after all that scandal?” she asked. “After everything that woman did?”

“Time smooths things over,” I said pragmatically. “A winery with history and a known name, probably selling well below market value… I’m honestly surprised we didn’t buy it ourselves.”

Christian’s reaction was immediate and absolute.

“Never,” he said flatly. “I want nothing to do with that family except distance. A lot of distance.”

That was when Zoey added something that made all of us freeze and stare at her in shock.

“And destroy them,” she said coldly, in a tone that didn’t match her usual warm, affectionate nature at all.

Christian, Madeline, and I looked at Zoey, our expressions caught somewhere between startled and alarmed. There was something in the way she’d said it. A calm, icy determination that felt completely foreign coming from her.

“Zoey…” Christian started, hesitant.

She caught our looks and quickly clarified, though the intensity never left her voice.

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“In the competition this weekend, obviously.” Her smile was almost too sweet to be real. “We’re going to destroy them and show everyone that nobody messes with the Kensington family.”

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