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 on

at Sasha with a

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

"It's not the master's fault. I accidentally made too much and wanted the master to give

know what my wife likes, and I'll cook it for her. You, mind your own business. Come on, wife and

their tracks, "No offense, but perhaps, the dishes you make aren't exactly to the

stated, "They're

"Are you saying

just smiled, not

couldn't let it

let's have a

quickly interjected, aware of her husband's

is my apprentice; if word gets out, people will say you're bullying the younger generation."

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

sure you want to compete? Just think

off, "Enough talk, let's

win, I expect you to agree to

you lose, let's push the wedding to next

didn't want to wait till next

the kitchen, Arthur and

asked, "What's

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

Arthur snorted.

from

was sure of

the kitchen, leaving Sasha and

her forehead, already

here, we might as well think of how to console

look, "No more bringing

husband who started it. Why

an hour later, both contestants presented their covered

mystery what lay