Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 291 A few hours had passed since my conversation with Tori in the library, and now the family was gathered in the living room, chatting calmly while we waited for lunchtime. Elizabeth had prepared a few light appetizers, and Richard played a soft melody on the piano. That's when Tori walked in with her phone in hand, a slightly annoyed expression on her face. "Alexandra just texted," she announced. "She's going to be late because of the weather, but she said we can have lunch without her." I saw the relief flicker across Nate's eyes before he tried to hide it.

"Then let's have lunch," he said immediately, in the tone of someone eager to take advantage of the opportunity to leave before the unwanted guest arrived. Elizabeth, ever diplomatic, raised an eyebrow. "Well, maybe we should move our family meal to dinner," she said thoughtfully. "After all, it wouldn't be very polite to exclude Tori's friend, now would it?" Nate rolled his eyes almost imperceptibly and tried to push back. "So you're going to exclude your son and future daughter-in-law?" "Why?" Oliver cut in, clearly confused.

"Weren't you only leaving tomorrow morning?" All eyes turned to me, waiting for my answer. I felt the weight of the decision I'd made the night before and took a steadying breath. "We're not leaving earlier than planned," I said firmly, looking straight at Nate. I could see the mixture of admiration and nerves in his eyes. He knew I was choosing to face Alexandra instead of running, and part of him was clearly worried about what might come of that. Oliver, blissfully unaware of the tension simmering through the room, clapped his hands once. "Perfect!

get to show Annie one of the best places in Bath. 11 I blinked at him, surprised. "Pizza at this hour?" I asked, laughing at the idea. "On December twenty-fifth?" "The Green Oven never closes.

together. Her dark jeans and cashmere sweater made her look like she'd walked out of a magazine, but apparently going to a pizzeria still required additional preparation. Fifteen minutes later, we were all walking through the streets of Bath on our way to The Green

probably cost more than my monthly salary, and Oliver was excitedly explaining how he'd discovered the pizzeria back in his college days. The pub was exactly what I'd expect from a beloved local spot. It was cozy without being pretentious, with well-

devoted mom," she said warmly. "She spends every second arranging the puppies, licking each one to make sure they're clean and warm." "That must be beautiful to watch," I said, feeling a little