Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 279 We walked downstairs to dinner hand in hand, and when we stepped into the dining room, I was honestly stunned by the atmosphere Elizabeth had created. The table was set with this effortless, elegant simplicity-no showy decorations, just that quiet kind of sophistication that seemed to come naturally to a family like theirs. White porcelain plates, silverware that clearly had history, and low candles casting a soft, golden glow. "It's nothing too elaborate," Elizabeth said as she came in from the kitchen carrying a steaming dish. "The official dinner will be tomorrow night.

Tonight is just for us to get to know each other a little better." The aroma rising from the dish was comforting and completely unfamiliar to me-a mix of meat, spices, and something that smelled like buttery pastry. "Shepherd's pie," Richard announced proudly as he helped Elizabeth serve. "House specialty." I tasted the first bite and couldn't hide my genuine surprise. It was delicious. The layers of seasoned meat, vegetables, and mashed potatoes blended together in a way my palate had never experienced. "It's wonderful," I said, and I caught Elizabeth's satisfied smile.

"The closest thing to British food I've had at pubs is fish and chips... and that's it." "And barely fried right," Oliver added, laughing as he poured wine for everyone. Richard nodded with that calm, proud tone I was already learning was typical of him. "Just know my wife's cooking is the best you'll taste in England." "I don't doubt it!" Annie agreed. "Especially paired with a Kensington wine," Tori added, lifting her glass slightly in our direction. There was something in the way she said it-not exactly hostile, but carrying a weight I couldn't quite decode.

Like she was connecting dots I hadn't even noticed yet. I tried to ignore the feeling and focused on being pleasant. I was there to meet Nate's family, after all, and I genuinely wanted things to go well. "Nate mentioned you work at an art gallery," I said, turning to Tori with genuine interest. "That must be amazing." "It's nice," she replied, cutting delicately into her portion. "But my real plan is to work at Christie's or Sotheby's." I frowned a little, trying to place those names in my memory. "Are those clothing or makeup brands?" I asked, genuinely confused.

auction houses. Very traditional ones.' 11 "Auction?" I repeated, still trying to grasp it. 1/3

find new ways to burn money." Tori laughed-genuinely, for the first time since she'd come downstairs to meet us. "And there's no better place to be than right in the middle of them," she said, with zero shame in her ambition. There was something refreshing about how openly she admitted she wanted to be close to money and power. It was

in her expression. "It doesn't work like that. You only get in if you know the right people." My gaze slid automatically to Nate, trying to understand the dynamic. I mean, he was the COO of one of the biggest companies in the world. Surely he had connections that could help his

he's not a Kensington. Carter is still a last name without pedigree." The silence that followed was brief but heavy. I felt Nate tense beside me, and Elizabeth cleared her throat

about the Kensington wine, the way she kept bringing up Carter not having pedigree. She wasn't just being snobby-she had a plan, and I was the thing standing in

son's arm as she 2/3 laughed. "Oliver Carter, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" "Sorry, couldn't resist," he said-not sounding sorry at all. "But the puppies are due right at Christmas. It's going to be adorable." The conversation naturally