Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 247

James picked up the menu, his long fingers flipping through the pages like he was just passing the time.

“These fruits and veggies are a good mix,” he said casually. “Easy on the stomach, and they’ll get your appetite going. Try to eat a bit more later, okay?”

Emmy grabbed the other menu. Just as she expected, every dish was stunning—almost too pretty to eat—but there wasn’t a single price listed anywhere.

Clearly, nobody who came here cared about the bill.

The door to their private dining room opened.

Mr. Nelson was wheeled in, wearing a warm, easy smile. His voice was smooth, almost soothing. “How’s the food? Is it to your taste?”

Emmy stood up right away. “Mr. Nelson, you’re too kind. Really, this meal is—”

But James stayed right where he was, calm as ever. He picked up a clean glass and slowly rinsed it with hot water, completely unbothered.

Emmy started to feel anxious and tugged at his sleeve under the table.

He didn’t move.

She tugged again.

Still nothing.

Mr. Nelson lifted his hand, his smile growing. “Please, sit down. There’s no need to be so formal. Just relax.”

“My mother’s always talking about you, says you’re like a granddaughter to her. That makes you my little sister. There’s no need for all this politeness with family.”

Emmy sat back down, but inside she was on high alert.

She knew better than to think someone from a family like this would just accept her as a sister without a second thought.

Quickly, she shifted the conversation, keeping her smile in place. “Mr. Nelson, my husband isn’t used to these types of dinners. He doesn’t really know all the rules. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”

She added, almost in a rush, “I know he and James look a lot alike, but he meant no offense.”

Mr. Nelson’s eyes slid past her and landed on James, his gaze thoughtful.

“Don’t worry. I know my own brother when I see him.”

She shot a look at Mr. Nelson across the table. He was serving himself with perfect manners, acting like he hadn’t noticed anything.

Relieved, she quickly scooped two big helpings onto her plate, then added another piece for James.

As soon as she set her fork down, the turntable started moving again, this time bringing a dish of blue lobster custard her way.

James stopped it again, just as it reached her.

Emmy’s cheeks warmed. She lowered her voice, a little flustered. “James, stop. People will notice. Let go.”

He didn’t move. “With all this food here, no way I’m letting you leave hungry.”

With no other choice, Emmy helped herself again.

And so it went—every time she eyed a new dish, James would stop the turntable and wait for her to take some.

Eventually, Mr. Nelson finally looked up, his tone playful. “For a second there, I thought the turntable was broken.”

He paused, his gaze lingering on James’s hand. “Or maybe someone’s just trying to break it.”