Chapter 573
Their eyes locked, and something electric seemed to spark in the air between them.
“Alright, let’s have Anthony sit first,” Samantha said with a gentle smile, snapping everyone out of the moment.
“Yes, yes, of course,” Robert replied, almost giddy. He still held onto Lottie’s hand and made a welcoming gesture. “Right this way, Anthony.”
“After you,” Anthony replied, giving a polite nod and falling in step just behind Robert.
They made their way to the dining room, with Charlotte on Robert’s left and Anthony on his right. Anthony kept up a friendly conversation with Robert, making him laugh out loud as they walked.
Samantha slipped off her apron, her brows knitting together as her expression grew complicated. Something about the scene felt… off. She just couldn’t figure out what.
She glanced back at Kenneth, her gaze sharp and searching.
Kenneth’s heart skipped a beat, but he forced a grin. “Anthony’s honestly the best. He takes such good care of my sister.”
Samantha still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was strange.
“Enough chatter. Come eat.”
She and Kevin headed toward the dining room. Kenneth watched her leave, his legs feeling weak and a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. That was way too close.
At the table, Robert took the seat at the head. Anthony sat to his left, Kevin to his right. The seating made sense for the elders. Charlotte and Samantha sat next to Anthony, with Kenneth and Roger across from them.
The mood was surprisingly easygoing.
“Robert, let me propose a toast,” Anthony said, raising his glass respectfully.
“No, let me toast you!” Robert replied, clinking his glass with Anthony’s. “Lottie’s been staying at your place for a while now, I’m
She hasn’t been the easiest guest. The whole Gates family is grateful.”
“It’s really nothing,” Anthony said, finishing his drink in one smooth motion. He glanced at Charlotte, a small smile tugging at his lips.
“When Lottie gets her scores back, we’ll see which university she picks,” Anthony continued All the schools in Cabinda are close to my place. If she doesn’t mind, she’s welcome to keep staying with me.”
Lottie? The way he said her name made Samantha narrow her eyes, glancing back
and forth between Anthony and Charlotte. Something about it felt off.
Robert didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked at Charlotte with warmth. “It’s her choice.”
He still remembered how she couldn’t sleep for two nights straight after she came home last time. That habit of only sleeping in her own bed was a tough one.
As Robert spoke, Charlotte tried to move a pork chop onto her plate. Her hand shook, and the meat slipped right onto the table.
Almost immediately, Anthony reached over and placed a new piece on her plate.
Everyone paused, surprised. What was up with that?
The rest of the meal went by smoothly. Robert was in such a good mood that he kept pouring Anthony more wine.
het
By the end of dinner, Robert was a little tipsy. He grabbed Anthony’s hand and slurred, “You’re a great guy heard you’re still single. Want me to introduce you to someone?”
“Thanks, Robert,” Anthony replied with a smile. “But I’m not in a rush. I’m thinking I’ll wait a year or two.”
Charlotte isn’t even twenty yet, so they couldn’t get married anyway.
Wait a year or two? Did he already have someone in mind? Samantha studied Anthony, her curiosity growing.