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.

It wasn't on

at Sasha with a mix of hurt and betrayal,

before soothing Arthur, "Hubby, let me explain. You have to believe in yourself; your cooking is truly a gift. I

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

it for her. You, mind your own business. Come on, wife and daughter,

make aren't exactly to the master's and Vivienne's taste." Arthur

stated, "They're

darkened, "Are you saying

just smiled, not contradicting

let it slide. Not

let's have a

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

out, people will say you're

thought, precisely because of all the practice, she

sure you want to compete?

on, cut him off, "Enough

said, clearly stating his intent, if I win, I

thinking the same. If you lose, let's push the wedding to

want to wait

the kitchen, Arthur

asked, "What's

across his face, "Since Vivienne

Arthur snorted.

from the

was sure of his

entered the kitchen, leaving Sasha and Vivienne outside as the judges, exchanging worried

her forehead, already anticipating

returned to her book, "Mom, instead of worrying here, we might as well think of how

look, "No more bringing people home to bully

it. Why shouldn't I defend Mr. Wolf? This

hour later, both contestants presented their

a mystery what lay