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

at Sasha with a

explain. You have to believe in yourself;

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

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

you make aren't exactly to the master's and Vivienne's taste." Arthur paused, turning with a cold expression,

stated, "They're

you saying

smiled, not contradicting

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

let's have

her husband's culinary

out, people will say you're bullying the younger generation." Arthur patted Sasha's hand, reassuring her. He

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

"You sure you want to compete?

spurred on, cut him off, "Enough talk, let's do

win, I expect you to agree to

If you lose, let's push the wedding to next

didn't want to wait till

of the kitchen, Arthur and Percival locked

asked, "What's

glanced at Vivienne, who was confidently, and a smile across his face, "Since Vivienne loves pasta, let's make her

Arthur snorted.

skill from

sure of

and

forehead, already anticipating

returned to her book, "Mom, instead of worrying here, we might

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

it. Why shouldn't I defend

an hour later, both contestants presented their covered

was a mystery what lay