Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 447

Chapter 447

Madeline’s POV

Zoey’s discovery had caused a serious uproar. As we got closer, I could see exactly what had triggered her explosion of outrage. Several of the ropes assigned to our team were visibly damaged, their fibers frayed, with weak points obvious even to someone like me, who had zero construction experience.

“This is clearly sabotage,” Christian was arguing with the organizer, his voice controlled but heavy with frustration.

“And on top of that,” Marcus added, gesturing toward the materials pile, “we have significantly fewer backup ropes than the other teams.”

The organizer kept a professional, neutral expression. He examined the ropes carefully, then shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept this complaint,” he said firmly. “It could have been improper handling by your team that caused the deterioration. There’s no way to prove sabotage, and changing the competition conditions at this point would be unfair to the other teams.”

“Improper handling?” Zoey snapped. “We haven’t even started using these ropes yet!”

“The rules are clear,” the organizer insisted. “Each team works with the materials provided. Technical issues are part of the challenge.”

That was when I heard a low, unmistakably malicious laugh. Vivian had joined the group, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

“It’s best to be careful so no one gets hurt,” she said, her voice dripping with fake concern. Then her eyes locked directly onto mine. “Especially when you have a pregnant woman on your team.”

My blood boiled. The veiled threat. The barely hidden satisfaction on her face. The way she’d aimed that comment straight at me.

I turned to Marcus, who was clearly fighting to rein in his own fury at the obvious provocation.

“We’re going to win,” I declared, my voice louder and more resolute than I’d meant it to be.

“Madeline…” Marcus started, his concern obvious.

“No,” I cut him off firmly. “We’re going to win, and I’m going to help build that bridge.”

Without waiting for more objections, I walked over to the materials pile and started helping select the ropes that were still usable. If Vivian thought she could intimidate me, she’d miscalculated badly.

What followed was an exercise in mounting frustration. Every rope had to be tested meticulously before use. We had to redo our structural calculations three times to compensate for the reduced amount of reliable material. What should have been a smooth process turned into a series of constant checks and last-minute adjustments.

Meanwhile, we could see the other teams making fast progress. The Ross team had chosen a simpler but efficient design, and their members worked with the smooth coordination of a group that didn’t need to question the reliability of their materials.

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First team to complete the crossing!” the organizer announced as we watched the last Ross member reach the far side of the stream.

My heart sank. We were clearly behind, still making final adjustments to our structure while the Montgomery team was already sending their first members across their bridge.

“Come on, people!” Zoey shouted, her voice echoing across the area. “We can still take second place!”

As the team leader, Marcus was the first to cross our bridge, personally testing every foothold before signaling for the rest of the team to start crossing. The process was slower than ideal. Everyone had to move carefully, fully aware that we were working with compromised materials.

When it was finally my turn, one of the last to cross, the bridge had already held the weight of almost our entire team. I placed my foot carefully on the first plank, testing its stability before shifting my weight onto it.

The first few steps were fine. The structure swayed slightly with the movement, but it felt solid enough. I was nearly halfway across when it happened.

The plank beneath my left foot gave way with a sharp, ominous crack. For one terrifying moment, I felt my body tilt dangerously to the side, my balance completely gone.

“Watch out!” Zoey’s scream cut through the air.

In the very next second, strong hands grabbed me from behind, yanking me backward and stabilizing me just before I fell. Zoey had been right behind me and reacted with lightning speed.

But in saving me, she lost her own balance. I saw her eyes widen in surprise as her foot slipped off the edge of the bridge.

“Zoey!!!” Christian’s shout echoed across the entire area as she fell straight into the safety net stretched beneath the bridge.

I froze, shock locking my body in place, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. Then, a second later, Zoey’s unmistakable laugh floated up from below.

“The view is amazing from down here!” she yelled from the net, sounding far more amused than scared.

Christian didn’t hesitate for a single second. I watched him sprint to the edge of the bridge and jump straight in after her, landing on the net with a dramatic bounce that sent it swaying wildly.

“You’re insane!” he said, but he was laughing too, kissing her passionately right there on the net.

“That looks fun!” Luke announced, and before anyone could stop him, he jumped as well, dragging Olivia with one hand and Mia with the other.

What had started as an accident quickly turned into an improvised party. One by one, almost everyone on our team began jumping deliberately into the net, turning our technical loss into a spontaneous celebration.

Marcus ran back across the bridge to get to me, his expression a mix of relief that I was okay and amusement at the chaos unfolding beneath us.

“Are you okay?” he asked, touching my face carefully.

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“I am,” I said, finally able to smile. “Zoey saved me.”

We stood there on the bridge, watching our team laughing and playing in the safety net like kids at a playground. Christian and Zoey were still kissing, Luke was attempting acrobatic tricks, and Mia was shouting dramatic instructions at everyone.

“Well,” Marcus said, wrapping an arm around my waist, “at least no one can say we don’t have team spirit.”

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