CHAPTER 247: A BREAKFAST OF BILLIONAIRES

Calmly sipping his tea with a satisfied smile, Arthur seemed to revel in the chaos unfolding before him.

Margaret giggled behind her hand while Emily laughed openly at the scene.

Julian and Richard exchanged amused glances that spoke volumes about their shared enjoyment of this family drama.

Kaia stood silently at the stair railing watching it all unfold; initially confused by the ruckus but now smiling warmly at the spectacle before her.

These people were undeniably powerful and cloaked in wealth but beneath those silk robes and surrounded by private chefs lay something much more profound: they were family.

They laughed together, teased one another mercilessly but affectionately scolded each other too, all while genuinely caring for one another.

It was chaotic yet beautiful,a rare moment she couldn’t remember witnessing before.

Billy leaned toward Kaia and whispered conspiratorially, "Still think I should’ve traded all this for freedom?"

She chuckled softly in response. "You might be a fool, Billy Osborn but at least you came back."

He smiled back at her as they both stood there watching this unique family dynamic unfold, a reminder that no amount of money could ever truly buy what they had: connection and love.

The Osborns, dressed in pajamas and facing playful punishments, were something extraordinary: immenselywealthy yet still profoundly human. Still whole.

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The tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread, exotic spices, and warm cream wafted through the grand halls of the Osborn Estate, beckoning the family to gather in the magnificent dining hall.

As golden rays of morning sun filtered through crystal chandeliers and tall arched windows, they danced across a long, polished mahogany table that could easily grace a royal palace.

Kaia sat wide-eyed near the center of this opulent tableau, nestled between Billy and Liz.

Before her lay an almost absurdly lavish breakfast spread waffles drizzled with shimmering blue syrup from the mystical Astrid Flowers of the Northern Isles, dragonfruit slices artfully sculpted into roses, tiny silver bowls brimming with golden caviar, steaming platters of mana-infused pastries, freshly squeezed juices from fruits she’d only glimpsed in glossy magazines, and even a honeycomb glistening atop a chilled crystal tray.

Just one plate here could financially cripple an average family for a decade! Kaia thought as her spoon hovered mid-air.

She cast furtive glances around the table, wondering if anyone else was as awestruck by this royal-level breakfast.

Billy caught her eye and smirked. "Still in shock?"

Kaia shot him a playful glare. "I think just looking at that gold-dusted croissant gave me financial trauma!"

Liz chimed in between bites with puffed cheeks full of food, "She should be more worried about sitting next to this guy who abandoned all this luxury for ’freedom.’"

Kaia burst into laughter, nearly dropping her spoon as Billy groaned. "Seriously, Liz? Are you going to keep bringing that up?"

"Forever," Liz declared proudly while pointing her syrup-covered fork at him.

Laughter rippled down the table like music mingling with the gentle clinking of fine cutlery.

At the head of the table sat Arthur in his midnight-black robe; he observed their banter silently for a moment before allowing his sharp features to soften slightly as he took in the joyful scene.

"Aunt Margaret," he said calmly, instantly silencing everyone at the table. All eyes turned toward him.

"Yes, Arthur?" Margaret replied after dabbing at her lips with a silk napkin.

"How are preparations for our move to Varenya coming along?"

Margaret placed her utensils down neatly and nodded confidently. "Everything is progressing smoothly. I’ve dispatched our senior logistics team to oversee secure transfers of personnel files and essential documents to our new headquarters in Varenya. The estate there is fully operational; we should be ready to move within a week."

Julian interjected smoothly from his corner seat. "The industrial expansion zones have been cleared, Nathaniel’s already in talks with the Varenyan Development Bureau."

Nathaniel raised his glass enthusiastically. "They’ve granted us priority entry permits; our influence there will establish quickly."

Emily glanced up from her sleek tablet, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "I’ve finalized the transport contracts for the estate staff. We’re moving in perfect sync!"

Arthur nodded slowly, his expression one of approval. "Good."

Then, as if a sudden thought struck him, his sharp gaze shifted to Kaia. She stiffened slightly but met his eyes with unwavering courage.

"I believe Billy has filled you in on our relocation?" he asked.

Kaia nodded politely. "Yes, he did. And he asked me to come with him... I’ve already agreed."

A soft chuckle broke the tension in the air. All heads turned as Ashley clapped her hands together excitedly. "Oh-ho! Look at that! Billy finally grew a spine and asked her properly!"

Kaia felt her cheeks flush crimson as William, George, Oscar, and Edward joined in with playful snickers.

"Took you long enough, bro," George teased, nudging Billy with an elbow.

"He was probably crafting the perfect movie-like confession scene," Edward laughed heartily.

"I’ll give him credit,at least this one didn’t bail on him when he needed someone," Oscar remarked pointedly, raising an eyebrow.

The atmosphere tensed momentarily, but Kaia couldn’t help but smile to herself.

Billy cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to mask his embarrassment. "Can all of you just eat and stop turning my life into a sitcom?"

Liz chimed in between bites of mana-bread stick, "This is way more entertaining than most sitcoms!"

Even Arthur cracked a rare smile. He set down his teacup,steam curling gently into the air and leaned back comfortably in his seat.

"Alright," he said with a light yet authoritative tone. "We’ll be moving in a week. Wrap up your personal affairs here in Aurelia before then: tie up loose ends and handle projects. And don’t forget to visit other family members."

Ashley sighed dramatically. "Ugh! That means social dinners with boring people."

"And finishing that assignment you still owe me," Arthur added with a pointed grin.

Ashley froze mid-bite. "You said we were past that!"

Arthur’s smirk deepened mischievously.

Despite the teasing and discipline surrounding her,the weight this family obviously carried, Kaia couldn’t stop smiling.

As she took another bite of food that melted like heaven on her tongue, she looked around at the radiant faces filled with warmth and laughter...and love.

So this is what it means to be part of something greater than yourself, she thought.

She turned to Billy beside her; he had finally surrendered to the teasing and was laughing along with everyone else now. When their gazes met, he smiled warmly at her.

In that moment, Kaia knew she had made the right choice.

The future may be uncertain but this? This family? This place? This feeling? It was undeniably real!

And she was ready to build her place in it.