After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 265

Alice let out a little huff. “What, we’re not allowed to dress up now? Just because Lawrence’s family doesn’t have money, it’s suddenly a crime for us to look nice?”

“Dad, Mom and I are just trying to make you look good,” Shirley chimed in.

Nestor dropped the argument. He glanced at his wife and daughter, and gave them one last piece of advice. “Once we’re at the table, maybe take it down a notch. Be polite, and watch what you say.”

Alice mumbled, “Got it. I’ll make sure they don’t lose face because of us.”

Shirley’s eyes flashed with a hint of mockery. She had no plans to give Catherine any extra grace. If Catherine chose to marry into a family like that and ended up being looked down on, that was her problem.

At eleven sharp, Nestor’s driver pulled up to take them to the restaurant.

Shirley hadn’t expected Lawrence to pick anywhere nice, but when she checked the details, her expression tightened. Solstice?

That was one of the city’s best restaurants, the kind only the rich could get into. One meal there could easily cost more than what Lawrence used to earn in a year.

So this dinner was probably on Catherine, Shirley thought. Or maybe her father had slipped Lawrence some money behind the scenes. Either way, the idea made Shirley feel even more annoyed.

When they reached Solstice, a line of servers in matching cheongsams greeted them at the entrance.

They were led upstairs to a private room on the second floor. The whole place gave off a quiet, expensive vibe, with thick carpets softening every step.

Alice tugged Shirley’s sleeve, whispering, “Is this place really that expensive?”

Nestor was surprised to feel an unexpected sense of warmth. Alice, meanwhile, couldn’t believe her eyes. This wasn’t at all what she’d pictured.

She’d expected Lawrence’s parents to be nervous and awkward, maybe even out of place. But the couple in front of her looked totally at ease. Lawrence’s father didn’t have a hint of the security guard about him. If anything, he looked like someone who was used to being in charge.

Compared to Alice and Shirley’s flashy, jewel-studded outfits, the Gates family’s clothes had a quiet, simple elegance.

“Nestor, good to see you,” Patrick said, greeting him first.

Nestor hurried forward to shake his hand, still reeling. He’d come in ready to be polite to a security guard, but the man in front of him didn’t seem like a guard at all. He had the calm confidence of someone who was used to being respected.