Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Breakfast at the Kensington mansion had an almost unreal air to it. The elegant morning dining room, with its wide windows allowing the sunlight to flood in, looked like something out of a design magazine. I tried to keep my composure as I watched Christian’s mother, Isabelle Kensington, cut a slice of bread as if she were performing delicate surgery.

She hadn’t stopped talking since she’d come down for breakfast, her Valentian accent subtly emphasized whenever it suited her-especially when she spoke about the “importance of family traditions.” Every word was carefully chosen, every gesture perfectly calculated. Unlike Joseph, whose nobility came from natural authenticity, Isabelle exuded a forced aristocracy, as if she constantly needed to remind everyone of her position.

“It’s a shame we only arrived yesterday,” she remarked, looking straight at me. “We’ve had so little time to get to know our son’s fiancée.”

“We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other after the wedding,” I replied with a polite smile, feeling Christian’s eyes watching us closely.

“Of course, of course.” Isabelle waved her hand gracefully. “Although I am still surprised by the haste. When Christian called us about the ceremony, we could hardly believe it.”

“Mother,” Christian cut in, his tone slightly strained, “we’ve already discussed this.”

Christian’s father, Lawrence, simply observed the scene with studied disinterest, hidden behind a tablet where he scrolled through financial news. He had spoken little since their arrival, but whenever his gaze flicked toward me, it carried the same cool evaluation I saw in his wife’s eyes.

“You know what would be wonderful?” Isabelle suddenly said, brightening with what I already suspected was a premeditated idea. “A spa day for the ladies! The mansion has a beautiful space downstairs. We could spend the morning there… just us women.”

Regina, my mother-who seemed utterly fascinated by Isabelle-immediately accepted the invitation. Annabelle, sitting beside me, nudged me lightly under the table-a warning I didn’t need to interpret.

“Of course,” I managed to say, already feeling the trap closing around me.

An hour later, we were in the mansion’s spa facilities a place of pure luxury with a heated pool, sauna, and several treatment rooms. Isabelle had arranged massages for everyone, and now we were lounging in silk robes embroidered with the Kensington monogram, reclining on chairs around the pool.

“It’s impressive how much Christian has changed since he met you, Zoey,” Isabelle commented, feigning casualness as she stirred her tea. “Before, he was so… focused on the vineyard.”

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