Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 616

Chapter 616

Gwen’s POV

“A diamond is something you only give when you love someone very much,” Bella suddenly declared, her small voice slicing through the suffocating tension at the table.

She grabbed the necklace with both hands, pressing it protectively to her chest with that fierce determination only children have when something truly matters to them.

“And I love you very much, sweetheart,” I said automatically, turning to her, trying to keep my voice steady. “But… but…”

The word caught in my throat.

But what?

I opened my mouth then closed it. Nothing came out.

That was when I heard Mia laugh, as if this were the most ridiculous thing she’d heard all week.

“Isn’t it perfect?” she said, turning to Renee with that dazzling, disarming smile. “Seriously, the jewelers in Florentia are artists. They make replicas of practically anything with unbelievable precision. Necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets. You’d swear they’re real. I can take you to the shop next time you’re in

Florentia, if you’d like. They have gorgeous pieces.”

Renee stared at her for a long moment, her expression shifting between disbelief and something dangerously close to restrained anger.

“Replica?” she repeated slowly.

“Obviously,” Mia said smoothly, shrugging. “Gwen works in marketing, she’s not an oil heiress. And honestly, who in their right mind gives real diamonds to a seven-year-old? Imagine losing it. Or it getting stolen. That would be completely irrational.”

Renee’s eyes moved from Mia to me, then to the necklace around Bella’s neck.

“Then it shouldn’t be a problem at all,” she said finally, her voice dangerously calm, “if I take that necklace to a jeweler to be properly evaluated. Just to confirm. Just to be absolutely certain. After all, as you said, I need to ensure my daughter’s safety. I wouldn’t want her at risk of being robbed.”

She extended her hand toward Bella.

“Come here, sweetheart. Let Mommy see that pretty necklace up close.”

Bella shrank back in her chair, clutching the necklace tightly, her eyes wide with panic.

“No!” she cried, her voice sharp and desperate. “It’s mine! It’s mine!”

“Bella, honey, I just want to look,” Renee insisted, leaning closer with that fake maternal tone. “I promise I’ll give it back. Two days, at most.”

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“No!” Bella shook her head violently, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I don’t want to! It’s mine! Gwen gave it to me because she loves me!”

I stood up automatically and moved around the table toward her. I crouched down, placing my hands gently on her shoulders, feeling her trembling.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I said softly, wiping her tears with my thumb. “No one is taking your necklace. You’re okay. Take a deep breath for me.”

Bella threw her arms around my neck, burying her face against me, still sobbing.

“That’s enough, Renee.”

Nick’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

He was on his feet again, both hands braced against the table, his knuckles white from the pressure. His green eyes, usually so warm, were hard as stone when he looked at his ex-wife.

“I don’t know exactly what you’re trying to pull here,” he said, every word controlled but edged with fury,” but you’ve crossed the line. You barged into a private family dinner. You scared our daughter and made her cry. And now you’re threatening to take something that matters to her.

“You need to leave. Now.”

The silence that followed was absolute. Even Bella stopped sobbing, just sniffing softly against my neck.

Renee stood there for a long, tense moment. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.

“Fine,” she said calmly. A calm that was far more unsettling than if she had yelled. “That’s fine. I didn’t

come here to cause problems or create unnecessary tension.”

She rose slowly and gracefully from her chair. Picked up her napkin and folded it with exaggerated care before placing it on the table.

“But Martina,” she added, turning to her with that sweet, poisonous smile, “I insist on taking a generous slice of dessert to go. I’ll eat it in the car. Your cooking is incredible, as always. No one makes pies like

you.”

Martina, visibly uncomfortable and confused, nodded stiffly and got up to fetch a container.

Renee waited, perfectly still, until Martina returned with a neatly wrapped slice. She thanked her with

excessive enthusiasm.

Then she stepped toward Bella, who was still clinging to me.

She placed a quick kiss on her daughter’s cheek. Bella didn’t react.

“Thank you for inviting me, sweetheart,” Renee said in that syrupy tone. “I can’t wait for us to go out again. We had such a nice time together, didn’t we?”

Bella said nothing. She just held on tighter.

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Finally, Renee turned to me.

“Congratulations on the relationship,” she said with a wide smile. “Nick really is an incredible man. You’re very lucky.”

She stepped closer. Close enough that I could smell her overly sweet perfume.

She leaned in as if adjusting something in my hair, her mouth right beside my ear.

“I will find out what you’re hiding,” she whispered, her voice low and full of promise. “And when I do, you’ll

regret it.”

She pulled back, that flawless smile still in place. She waved cheerfully at the table.

“It was lovely meeting all of you! I hope we see each other again soon!”

And then she was gone.

No one moved. No one spoke.

Bella was still crying quietly against my neck. Nick stood frozen, staring at the space Renee had just vacated. Christian’s expression was tight and calculating. Zoey was gripping his hand. Mia was biting her lower lip, clearly processing everything. Dante looked genuinely stunned. Martina had sunk back into her chair, looking ten years older.

It was Paula who finally broke the silence.

“Well,” she said dryly, “the awkwardness pie has officially been served. Welcome to the family.”

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