Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 446

Chapter 446

Madeline’s POV

Mia and I had found a strategic spot to watch the activity. Two fallen logs formed natural benches on a small rise that gave us a perfect view of the entire competition area. It was comforting to be able to participate without exposing myself to the obvious physical risks of building a bridge. I’d only need to cross at the right moment.

“Look at Zoey,” Mia said, laughing as she pointed at the energetic figure darting back and forth across the Kensington construction zone.

It was impossible not to laugh. Zoey was clearly in full competition mode, gesturing dramatically as she directed the placement of each plank, personally testing the strength of every rope, and occasionally shouting instructions at team members like a general commanding her troops.

“She’s taking this very seriously,” I commented, watching as she practically flew from one end of the structure

to the other.

“You’d better have a solid strategy to win this,” we heard Christian say to Marcus, who was measuring something with a rope, “or I’m the one who’s going to pay for it tonight.”

Mia and I exchanged amused looks. The dynamic between Christian and Zoey was fascinating to watch. She was pure competitive energy, and he very clearly loved every second of it.

“They’re perfect together,” I murmured, noticing the way Christian smiled as he watched her determination.

“They really are,” Mia agreed. “She brings out his fun side, and he calms her emotional storms.”

We kept watching as the first phase unfolded. Team Ross had chosen a more methodical approach, their members working in small, organized groups. Team Montgomery, on the other hand, seemed to be dealing with internal disagreements. We could see Vivian gesturing sharply at some of the builders, clearly unhappy with their progress.

Our team, though, was operating like a well-oiled machine. Marcus had naturally taken on the role of chief engineer, while Christian coordinated material logistics. And Zoey… well, Zoey was being Zoey, making sure everyone kept up the frantic pace she believed was necessary to win.

“Madeline,” a familiar voice said behind me.

I turned to see Marcus approaching with a carefully wrapped sandwich and a cup of fresh juice.

“You need to eat properly,” he said, handing them to me with a gentle smile.

“Thank you,” I replied, brushing my fingers lightly against his when I took the cup.

“Hey, what about me?” Mia complained dramatically. “I’m your favorite sister!”

“You’re not eating for two,” Marcus shot back, smiling at me before heading off to rejoin the construction.

I let out a heavy sigh as soon as he was out of sight, and Mia noticed immediately.

“What is it?” she asked, watching me closely.

“Before, I was afraid this baby might be Marcus’s and Dominic would come after us because of it,” I admitted,

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taking a small bite of the surprisingly good sandwich. “Now… now I feel safe with Marcus. But at the same time …I’m scared the baby isn’t his, and that he’ll be deeply disappointed.”

Mia shrugged with her usual, effortless calm.

“Marcus’s already decided the baby is his,” she said simply.

“And you?” I asked, genuinely curious. “And your parents? How are you all dealing with this?”

“Honestly?” Mia took a sip of the water she’d brought. “I deal with it by deciding it’s none of my business. My brother is having a baby, I’ll be the aunt who spoils the kid rotten and then disappears the moment he starts crying or needs a diaper change.”

I laughed at her brutal honesty.

“If you’re okay with it, then I’m okay with it,” she concluded pragmatically.

I laughed again, but the conversation had brushed up against something that had been bothering me for days.

“It’s just that…” I hesitated. “It’s about something you once told me, back when we first met. About fully giving myself… or walking away. And last night… last night, I gave myself completely.”

“You know the best thing about not knowing my brother’s past hookups?” Mia cut in, amusement clear in her voice. “Not having to listen to anyone vent about him in bed.”

“Honestly, there’s nothing to vent about,” I replied, heat rushing to my face. “It was incredible.”

Mia laughed out loud, but her expression soon softened as the conversation shifted back to something more serious.

“But about giving yourself or walking away…” I sighed, trying to put my thoughts in order. “Mia, I don’t think I can truly give myself without knowing for sure that this baby is his. Because… I won’t be able to-”

“Sabotage!” Zoey’s shout sliced through the air like a lightning strike, cutting me off completely.

We both whipped around toward the Kensington construction site, where Zoey stood with her hands on her hips, staring at something on the ground with absolute fury on her face.

“This is sabotage!” she yelled again, this time projecting her voice toward the organizer. “Someone sabotaged our materials!”

My stomach dropped. I stood up from the log in one swift motion, Mia doing the same beside me, both of us straining to see what had triggered Zoey’s outburst.

From where we were, we could see Christian and Marcus sprinting toward her, while other Kensington team members gathered around whatever she’d discovered. The other teams had stopped working entirely, all attention drawn to the chaos.

“What do you think happened?” Mia asked, worry clear in her voice.

“I don’t know,” I said, but a cold feeling was spreading through my chest. “But knowing Zoey, if she’s screaming sabotage…”

“Then it’s probably sabotage,” Mia finished darkly.

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We hurried toward the commotion, my heart pounding harder with every step. Whatever the problem was, the sheer intensity of Zoey’s reaction told me it wasn’t something small or easily explained.

And in the back of my mind, a quiet voice whispered that this was exactly the kind of thing Vivian would be capable of orchestrating.

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