Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 285 We came downstairs for dinner already dressed with me in a navy-blue dress I'd brought specifically for the occasion, and Nate looking flawless in a dark green dress shirt that made his eyes stand out even more. The dining room was absolutely stunning. Elizabeth had outdone herself with the Christmas décor. The table was set with fine china, crystal glasses catching the golden glow of the candles, and a simple but elegant centerpiece of pine branches, red candles, and small gold ornaments.

The piano music had stopped, and Richard was already seated at the head of the table, wearing a dark blazer that somehow made him look even more distinguished. Elizabeth moved around the room making last-minute adjustments, clearly nervous but pleased with how everything had turned out. That was when we heard the front door open, followed by excited voices and... barking? "Oliver's here," Nate said, laughing as the unmistakable clatter of paws on hardwood echoed through the house.

Oliver appeared in the dining room doorway with a pretty brunette woman beside him, her smile warm and bright, and behind them trotted a visibly pregnant golden retriever who immediately began sniffing every corner of the room. "Sorry we're late," Oliver said, slightly out of breath. "And sorry for canine Sarah too. She could go into labor any minute, and I promised Mr. Brown I'd keep an eye on her through the holidays." The golden retriever, as if understanding she was being introduced, marched straight up to the dining table and started sniffing the chair legs, her tail wagging wildly.

"Sarah," the woman beside Oliver said, extending a hand to me with a genuine smile. "The human one. It's nice to meet you, Annie. Oliver doesn't stop talking about you." "Nice to meet you too," I replied, instantly liking her warm energy. She reminded me a little of Zoey-someone who just naturally made people feel welcome. "And this is Sarah the Golden," Oliver added, gesturing to the dog now trying to reach something on the table. " Soon-to-be mom of five or six puppies.

"At least keep her away from the table, Oliver," she said with affectionate resignation. "Before she decides half the dinner belongs to her." "Of

watched the whole scene with the effortless elegance that seemed to be her trademark. She wore a deep red dress that complemented her fair skin perfectly, and her hair was pulled back into a low chignon that screamed sophistication. "At least she's well-behaved," she commented, taking a sip of wine. As if on

perfectly positioned to observe the entire family dynamic with queen-like poise. The golden retriever finally curled up in a corner of the room, clearly exhausted from her enthusiastic tour of the place. "So," Elizabeth

Nate. "But Nate had a few special surprises. The Jane Austen Centre opened just for us, and then we visited the Roman Baths." Oliver burst out laughing. "Oh, my brother's

to carry more weight than Oliver intended. "With the right person, anything's possible," Nate said with a laugh. He seemed shy about talking openly about how he used his influence. "He couldn't be more right," Tori added, raising her glass slightly. "That's exactly what I