Semua Bab Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire: Bab 431 - Bab 440

Madeline's POV The darkness inside the elevator felt thicker with every passing minute. Even with the little red light blinking on the panel, I could barely make out anything around me. I was sitting on the floor, my back pressed to the rear wall, trying to control my breathing the way Marcus had taught me over the intercom. His voice had calmed me for a few minutes, but now that he'd stopped talking to deal with the technician, the panic was creeping back in. Every small sound the elevator made, the low electrical hum, the occasional creak of the cables, sent my heart racing. That was when I heard a different noise coming from above. A metallic sound, like someone was working on the top of the elevator. My blood went cold. In my terrified mind, every worst-case scenario rushed in at once. What if the elevator was about to fall? What if the structure was giving way? "No, no, no," I murmured, pressing myself harder against the wall. The noise continued, now unmistakably the

Marcus' POV Her question hung between us, heavy with all the vulnerability we'd laid bare in the last few minutes. When I finally answered, my voice came out softer than I expected. "Don't you see?" I asked, shifting slightly so I could look at her better in the dim light of the elevator. "The time for me to pull away from you has already passed." I felt her tense in my arms, like she was bracing for an answer she didn't want to hear. "I had two chances," I went on, letting brutal honesty take over. "One in that hotel bed, after the first night we spent together. Remember? Another when you asked me to go to the Maldives. Remember that? You were desperate, needing to escape everything, and you asked me to go with you on your honeymoon. I should've said no. I should've let you move on with your life and gone back to mine." The memory was so vivid I could almost feel the hotel sheets again, hear her breathing beside me, feel the internal war raging inside my chest. "But instea

Madeline's POV The relief I felt when I finally heard the elevator start moving was so intense it almost made me cry. Marcus held me tightly as we descended slowly to the ground floor, his hand still laced through mine, like he was afraid I might panic again. "Are you okay?" he asked when the doors finally opened. "I am now," I said, smiling at him. The technician was waiting outside with a visibly relieved expression, clearly happy he wouldn't have to explain to his superiors how two patients had been trapped in a hospital elevator for over two hours. "Apologies for the inconvenience," he said nervously, gesturing as he spoke. "Completely unexpected electrical issue." Marcus replied in Valentian, saying something that made the man visibly relax before he hurried off. I imagined it had something to do with not suing the hospital. "The appointment," I murmured suddenly, remembering the original time. "We missed the appointment." "We didn't," Marcus said, gently guiding m

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

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 lea