Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 439

Chapter 439

Madeline’s POV

The first activity was a scavenger hunt, and I’ll admit I felt relieved when the organizer explained the rules. No rappelling, no climbing, no activities that would have me lying awake at night worrying about Marcus. Just a challenge of intelligence and strategy. Exactly the kind of competition where I could truly contribute to Team. Kensington.

“We’ve hidden a briefcase somewhere in the common areas of the complex,” the organizer explained, pointing to a map that showed the main pavilion, meeting rooms, the library, the restaurant, and other indoor spaces. Inside the briefcase are three special bottles of wine, one from each participating winery. The first team to find the briefcase and bring it to me will be declared the winner of this activity.”

I studied the map carefully. The search area was limited, but still extensive. Dozens of rooms, corridors, lounges, and hidden corners where a briefcase could easily be tucked away. Since it was already nighttime, at least we wouldn’t have to wander through the freezing forest.

“You’ll receive clues along the way,” the organizer continued. “Some will be straightforward, others will require specific knowledge of winemaking or the history of your companies. Use all the expertise your teams have.”

Marcus leaned toward me, his voice low and strategic.

“One briefcase, three teams competing,” he murmured. “We should split into smaller groups to cover more ground faster.”

I nodded, already running through possibilities in my head. Our team had thirty people, which meant we could form smaller, more efficient units.

“I’ll go with you and Mia,” I said to Marcus. “We make a good strategy trio.”

“Perfect,” he agreed, brushing my hand discreetly.

The organizer handed us the first clue, written on elegant paper that added a refined touch to the game:

Where tradition meets the future.

Where ancient knowledge rests safely.

Seek where secrets are kept,

And the rarest wines are studied.

“Library,” I said immediately, confidence blooming. “Or some kind of study room.”

“Agreed,” Marcus nodded. “Let’s start with the library in the main pavilion. Two more teams can come with us. The others should cover meeting rooms and study areas with books.”

We moved quickly down the heated corridor, noticing the other teams mobilizing with the same urgency. The Ross team split into pairs, fanning out efficiently. The Montgomery team… I couldn’t help noticing Vivian assigning tasks to her people with almost military precision.

The library occupied an entire wing of the main pavilion, with tall shelves packed with books on viticulture,

1/3

+25 Bonus

regional history, and production techniques. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with leather armchairs and reading tables lit by classic lamps.

“There,” Mia said, pointing to the central table, where a second clue lay neatly folded.

Where warmth always dances,

And hope never fades.

Where flames rise high,

And light is never scarce.

“Fireplace,” Marcus and I said at the same time, exchanging a quick, knowing smile.

“The one in the main hall,” Mia added. “It’s the biggest and it’s always lit.”

From there, we followed a chain of clues that took us through several areas of the complex. Each riddle led us somewhere new. From the fireplace to a study room, then to the restaurant, then to the reception area, and onward. It was a well-designed scavenger hunt, testing both our knowledge of wine culture and our ability to decode riddles under pressure.

After about forty minutes of clue-solving and exploring different spaces, we finally reached the second floor of the main pavilion. A long corridor stretched in both directions, lined with solid wooden doors that led to various meeting rooms.

“If we split up now, we can cover all the rooms in a third of the time,” Marcus suggested, surveying the options.

“You’re right,” I agreed. “There are three of us. We can divide the corridor.”

“I’ll take the left side,” Marcus decided. “Mia, you check the rooms in the middle. Madeline, you take the right side.”

“If anyone finds anything, shout immediately,” Mia added.

“Deal,” I agreed, even though a flicker of nervousness crossed my chest.

“If anything feels off, you come straight back to us,” Marcus said, gently touching my arm. “And don’t push yourself if you start feeling tired.

“I’m fine,” I reassured him, and it was true. Walking through the heated corridors was easy enough, and the adrenaline of the competition kept me energized.

I headed toward the rooms assigned to me. The first one was empty, just a standard meeting room with an oval table and chairs. The second revealed nothing interesting either-only audiovisual equipment and a presentation table.

The third door, however, was slightly ajar, and I could hear a subtle noise coming from inside, as if someone were shifting furniture or searching through something. I approached cautiously and pushed the door, which opened without a sound.

Inside was a smaller but elegantly decorated meeting room, with a round table in the center and upholstered armchairs around it. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with books and decorative objects, and a small seating

2/3

area with sofas suggested a more informal meeting space.

And at the back of the room, crouched beside a low cabinet, was a figure that made my blood run cold.

It was Vivian,

Her hands were methodically searching through the cabinet’s compartments, clearly looking for the same briefcase we were. She hadn’t noticed me yet, too focused on her task.

For a split second, I considered backing out quietly and calling Marcus. But then my foot betrayed me, stepping on a loose floorboard that creaked loudly enough to announce my presence.

Vivian turned slowly, her eyes locking onto mine with an expression that mixed surprise and something that looked almost like… amusement. A smile spread across her perfectly painted lips.

“Well, look at that,” she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness that sent a chill down my spine. “We meet again, bestie.”

Her gaze flicked over me deliberately.

“Madeline Sullivan,” she added. “Or should I say… Kensington?”

COIN BUNDLE: get more free bonus

Comments

Support

Share

X

GET IT

3/3

+25 Bonus