Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 206 I arrived at Le Bernardin at seven twenty-five. Five minutes early. Punctuality mattered in business settings. This wasn't a date but a meeting. It was a strictly professional meeting to discuss corporate strategy with Franconian investors. I chose a navy dress that covered everything it needed to. Mid-height heels to keep things formal without looking like I was trying to impress anyone. A blazer that screamed business. Hair in a perfect bun. Minimal makeup. Straight posture. I was a professional. A market development specialist. Nothing more, nothing less.

The maître d' led me to a reserved table in a quieter area of the restaurant. Nathaniel wasn't there yet, which gave me a moment to mentally review the key points about the Vintara line and Verdanian consumer behavior. At exactly seven-thirty, I saw him walking toward me. Impeccable suit. That ridiculously sexy smile that was... that was... that was completely irrelevant to our business discussion. "Annabelle," he said as he reached the table. "You look..." "Good evening, Mr. Carter." I cut him off as I stood and extended my hand for a formal handshake.

"Thank you for including my perspective in this business meeting." He looked at my outstretched hand like he wasn't sure what to do with it. Then he took it. "Mr. Carter?" he repeated, raising a brow. "I thought we'd moved past-" "I prefer to maintain appropriate formality in corporate contexts." I sat and placed the napkin on my lap with military precision. "The Franconian investors should arrive at eight, correct?" "Correct..." He sat too, still watching me like I was some kind of puzzle. "Annabelle, are you all right?

You're acting a little..." "I'm perfectly fine, thank you." I opened my folder and took out the neatly organized documents. "I brought updated data on the Verdanian organic wine market, growth projections for the next two years, and a comparative analysis with similar Euradian markets." "Great, but-"I "I also prepared a report on consumer preferences in the southeastern region, which represents sixty percent of Vintara's sales in Verdania." I laid the papers out in precise rows.

not sure what you mean, Mr. Carter. I'm simply prepared for our work meeting." "Mr. Carter again?" He leaned forward. "Yesterday in the elevator you called me Nathaniel." My face warmed, but I

official terminology, there is a clear hierarchy that must be respected." I took a sip of water, eyes fixed on the table. "This ensures a productive and professional work environment." The waiter approached to take our drink orders. "A martini," Nathaniel

question, Mr. Carter." re talking like a corporate robot. You're calling me Mr. Carter like we've

to demonstrate seriousness in corporate environments." "Annabelle, yesterday you were in my office discussing marketing strategy, laughing at my jokes, clearly comfortable. Today you sound like you swallowed an etiquette manual." "Maybe yesterday I was improperly casual." I finally met his gaze, but kept my expression neutral. "Today I'm correcting that." "Improperly casual?" he ren disbelief coloring his voice. "You were being yourself." "And toda our drinks. Nathaniel took a

was misinterpreted." "Misinterpreted by who?" "By..." I stopped, realizing I was walking straight into dangerous territory. "This is irrelevant to our meeting."

my memory. 2/3 Chapter 206 "Mr. Carter, I suggest we focus on the objectives