บททั้งหมดของ Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire: บทที่ 451 - บทที่ 460

Madeline's POV The morning was freezing, a low fog hovering over the river where the rafting activity would take place. I was wrapped in a thick coat and still felt the cold sinking straight into my bones. Zoey stood beside me in the spectator area, just as bundled up and just as visibly irritated about not being able to participate. "This is torture," she muttered, adjusting her orthopedic boot. "Standing here watching while everyone else gets to have fun." "I know how frustrating it is," I replied, watching the teams get ready. "But at least we're staying warm." "You're not even a little tempted to join?" Zoey asked. I looked at the river, where small waves crashed against the rocks and steam rose from the icy water. "Honestly?" I admitted. "I'm kind of grateful I'm not competing. It's freezing, and just thinking about falling into that water gives me chills." Zoey laughed but shook her head, clearly wishing she were out there. "At least we're guaranteed some entertai

Marcus' POV I was lying on the hospital gurney, completely bored out of my mind and desperate to get out of there. The hypothermia had passed hours ago, my body temperature was back to normal, and I felt perfectly fine. But the medical team insisted on "preventive observation" and a few more hours of absolute rest. It was torture being stuck like that. I was used to always doing something. Meetings, calls, decisions, constant movement. Lying there, staring at a white, sterile ceiling, felt like a complete waste of time. And a Kensington learns early on that time is money. My fingers tapped impatiently against the side of the gurney as I watched the subtle movement in the hallway through the half-open curtain. Nurses passing by, other patients being attended to, the hum of medical equipment. All of it reminded me that the world was still moving while I was trapped in that bay. That was when I heard Christian's familiar voice speaking politely to someone in the corridor. "I pro

Marcus' POV The challenge began with a level of complexity that immediately demanded our full attention. We were locked inside an elaborately decorated room that felt like a cross between an old library and a scientific laboratory. Shelves packed with fake books, vintage equipment, paintings hiding coded messages, secret drawers—it was a sophisticated escape room designed to test both our teamwork and our ability to solve problems under pressure. But no matter how hard I tried to focus on the task, my mind stayed divided. Madeline had been deliberately keeping her distance from me ever since we entered the room. When we needed to discuss clues, she spoke to the group as a whole instead of looking directly at me. And every time our eyes met by accident, she looked away immediately. It was unsettling. And frustrating. The last time we'd talked, she'd been completely affectionate. When I fell into the river during rafting, I'd seen real panic in her eyes—genuine concern. And now, ju

Madeline's POV The main hall buzzed with energy as all three teams gathered, everyone anxiously waiting for the final results to be announced. The atmosphere was an interesting mix of leftover competitiveness and the camaraderie that had developed over the past few days—despite the very obvious tensions. Team Montgomery was openly bragging about their escape room time, with Vivian speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear about how her task-splitting strategy had been "clearly superior." I rolled my eyes internally. Even after losing absolutely every other activity, she still managed to sound arrogant. On the other side of the hall, the Ross and Kensington teams were mingling easily, chatting about the challenges they'd faced and laughing over the most absurd moments of the competition. It was oddly comforting to see that, despite being technical rivals, there was genuine mutual respect between our teams. I stood near Mia and Zoey, amused as I watched a little scene unfold a

Marcus' POV I watched Madeline walk away from the hall, my frustration growing by the second. I had no idea what I'd done to deserve that icy treatment. I was seriously considering going after her when I felt someone step up beside me. "Trouble in paradise?" Dante asked casually, appearing with two glasses of wine and offering one to me. "Something like that," I muttered, taking the glass but never taking my eyes off the door Madeline had disappeared through. "I don't know what you did," he went on, "but I'm on her side. Women are always right." "What? You don't even know—" "Let me guess," Dante cut in, leaning against the wall in that deliberately casual pose he'd perfected over the years. "She's having one of those inexplicable female mood swings? Loves you one minute, acts like you're radioactive the next?" I looked at my cousin with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "It's not exactly—" "Of course it is," Dante interrupted, with the confidence of a man who belie