The Million-Dollar Heart

Sasha was about to add more to the conversation when Vivienne's gaze landed on the cake in her hand.

She hadn't tried this flavor before, and though she was sure it wouldn't beat a slice of good old apple pie, being picky at a moment like this seemed downright immature. Sasha quickly hid it behind her back.

She'd already had her share, why was she still eyeing hers?

Seeing Arthur wouldn't be out of the kitchen anytime soon, Sasha shot Percival a look, silently assigning him a critical mission.

To keep watch.

As the two of them were enjoying their sneaky treat, Arthur emerged from the kitchen, a tray in hand, his voice booming excitedly from afar, "Honey, darling, breakfast is served! Today we've got beef stew with homemade biscuits..."

Sasha nearly choked.

Vivienne decisively swallowed her last bite.

Percival calmly stepped forward to greet Arthur, cleverly blocking his view.

"Who let you in?"

Arthur frowned, clearly displeased, "And keep it down. My daughter isn't married to you yet; don't get too cozy."

Arthur took a step towards Sasha and Vivienne's direction.

Percival tried to intervene again, but Sasha had already come forward, crumbs still lingering at the corner of her mouth.

Arthur noticed immediately and leaned in, curious, "Honey, what did you eat?"

Caught off guard, Sasha pursed her lips, trying to sound casual, "...I was just really hungry, had a biscuit."

Arthur was filled with guilt, blaming his slow pace for leaving his wife famished.

"Honey, breakfast is ready, let's go eat."

Then, the cake box Sasha had been hiding fell from behind the chair, rolling to Arthur's feet.

wasn't

Sasha with a mix of

You have to believe in yourself; your cooking is truly

crucial moment, Percival took the blame, "It's not the master's fault. I accidentally made too much

know what my wife likes, and I'll cook it for her. You, mind

aren't exactly to the master's and

sincerely stated, "They're not

darkened, "Are you

not contradicting the

being provoked, Arthur couldn't let it slide. Not in front of his

have

quickly interjected, aware of her husband's culinary skills-or lack

my apprentice; if word gets out, people will say you're bullying the younger generation." Arthur patted Sasha's hand,

because of all the practice, she couldn't bear to tell him the

raised an eyebrow, "You sure you want to compete? Just

off, "Enough talk,

win, I expect you to agree to

the same. If you

to wait till

of the kitchen,

asked, "What's the

confidently, and a smile across his face, "Since Vivienne loves pasta, let's make her favorite: hand-pulled

Arthur snorted.

from the Dorian family, a

sure of his

the kitchen, leaving Sasha and Vivienne outside as the

massaged her forehead,

instead of worrying here, we might as well think of how to

a look, "No more bringing people home to bully your

curled up, "It was your husband who started it. Why shouldn't I

both contestants presented

was a mystery what lay