The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 57

57 Dinner, Jokes, and a Priceless Heirloom

The luxury restaurant’s soft lighting cast a golden glow across our table. I sat across from Sebastian Sinclair–billionaire, mysterious power player, and apparently, the buyer of my mother’s bracelet,

What do you say to someone who casually dropped three hundred million dollars on your family heirloom?

“Thank you” seemed pathetically inadequate.

I fidgeted with my napkin, searching for words. The silence stretched between us like a taut wire. Sebastian seemed perfectly content to wait, his posture relaxed as he sipped his wine.

“I’m not very good at small talk with billionaires,” I finally admitted.

Sebastian’s lips curved slightly. “And how many billionaires have you had small talk with, Ms. Shaw?”

“Counting you? One.

His smile deepened, transforming his stern features. “Then you have no basis for comparison.”

I laughed despite myself. “Fair point.”

Sebastian set down his glass. “Tell me about the bracelet.

I traced my finger along the rim of my water glass. “It belonged to my mother. Family legend says it was passed down through generations of women in our family?

It’s quite remarkable,” he said. “Eighteenth–century carved imperial jade with gold inlay. Museum quality”

“My mother loved it more than anything” I swallowed hard. “After she died, my father needed money. Actually, his new wife needed money. The bracelet was the first thing they sold:

Sebastian’s expression softened. “And now it’s come back to you.

thanks to you? I met his gaze directly “Why did you buy it?

“Because you wanted it

His simple answer stunned me Before Ecould respond. The waiter arrived with our entrees–perfectly seared scallops for me, beef tenderloin for him.

“You should wear it.” Sebastian said after the waiter departed

1 nearly choked on my first bite “Wear a three–hundred–million–dollar bracelet? I’d be terrified someone would chop off my arm to steal it.

Sebastian froze: fork halfway to his mouth.

“That was a joke,” I clarified quickly. A bad one. Sorry

For a moment, he said nothing. Then, to my surprise, he laughed–a rich, genuine sound that transformed his entire face.

“Your humor is… unexpected,” he said.

“Is that good or bad?”

“Refreshing,” he decided. “Most people are too intimidated to joke with me.

I took a sip of water. “Can’t imagine why. You’re only worth billions and can apparently make news stories disappear from the internet overnight.”

Sebastian’s eyebrow arched. “You noticed.”

“Hard not to. One day everyone’s talking about the mysterious buyer who paid three hundred million for a jade bracelet, the next day–poof–not a trace online

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Poof?”

Technical term”

He studied me with new interest. “Most people wouldn’t have noticed.”

I’m not most people. I took another bite of my scallops, savoring their perfect sear “Besides, 1 was the subject of those articles too.

Sebastian nodded thoughtfully. “Fair enough”

40 Prestes, darb

The conversation flowed more easily after that. We discussed art, travel, and fashfor safe, neutral topics. I was surprised by his knowledge of design history. He spoke with genuine appreciation about everything from Ming dynasty craftsmanship to contemporary architectural innovations.

“How do you know so much about design? Lasked, genuinely curious.

“I collect beautiful things,” he said simply.

Something in his tone made me glance up. His dark eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

1 quickly changed the subject. “The food is amazing.

“I’m glad you approve. Chef Matsuda trained in Kyoto for fifteen years before opening this restaurant.

I smiled “Of course you’d know the chef’s entire resume

“Knowledge is valuable.” Sebastian took a sip of his wine. “Speaking of which, may I ask what you plan to do with the bracelet?”

“Keep it safe” I said immediately. “It’s all I have left of my mother”

“Not wear it?”

I shook my head. “It’s too valuable.”

“Value isn’t just monetary.”

“Says the man who paid three hundred million for it, I countered

Sebastian’s expression remained unreadable. “Some things are worth whatever price they command.”

set down my fork. “Why did you really buy it, Mr. Sinclair?”

Sebastian, he corrected

“Sebastian” I repeated, the name feeling strange on my tongue. “Why?”

He considered me for a long moment. “The bracelet belongs with you.”

What doesn’t answer my question

Doesn’t it?”

The intensity in his gaze made me look away first. I focused on my plate, trying to

ther my thoughts.

“I’ve been meaning to ask” I said, changing tactics. “Did the news coverage about the auction cause you any trouble? Before you made it disappear, I mean.

Sebastian’s expression shifted subtly. “Trouble?”

“It seemed excessive. All that speculation about why someone would pay so much for a bracelet. Some articles even mentioned my connection to the piece

“Is that why you think I removed the stories? To protect myself from speculation?”

1 shrugged. “Wouldn’t be surprising. Someone in your position probably values

privacy

“I do value privacy,” Sebastian agreed, his voice measured. “But that wasn’t my primary

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