Chapter 73 The Dinner Strategy
Chapter 73 The Dinner Strategy
Could it be that she was going to suggest moving out of the villa?
The thought sent a wave of dread through Nathan. His darker instincts surged.
No. Absolutely not.
She could date whoever she wanted–he wouldn’t interfere.
As long as she didn’t bring Lucas back to the villa, he could live with it.
Still guessing wildly, Nathan stripped off his clothes and headed into the bathroom.
+5 Free Coins
He’d always made a point to be freshly showered and dressed before Stella came home, presenting the cleanest, most put- together version of himself.
Tonight, he didn’t want to keep her waiting, so he’d have to be quick.
Cold water streamed down from overhead, splashing across his sharply defined abs and trailing down his lean waist, exuding an effortless sensuality.
Downstairs-
The butler had staff cleaning up the blood on the floor.
He sighed inwardly.
It was hard to believe that the same man who commanded the business world with such dominance was such a clueless fool when it came to love.
What a perfect opportunity for Ms. Stella to play the sympathy card–and she didn’t even seize it!
He was exasperated.
Still, judging by Ms. Stella’s reaction earlier, she definitely cared about his boss–just a little.
In the kitchen-
“Do you think I’ll pull it off tonight?” Stella asked as she tied on her apron.
J
Landon twitched at the corners of his mouth. “Do you want the truth?”
Stella rubbed her nose. “Is my cooking really that bad?”
Landon considered for a few seconds. “That ribs dish you made this afternoon? Let’s just say the pig died in vain.”
“… Wow.”
Stella sighed. “I guess I was only ever meant to eat, not cook.”
Her phone buzzed on the counter.
She glanced at the screen–it was a WhatsApp video call from Ethan.
She answered, and his handsome face filled the screen.
“I just got back to the hotel. You said Louis moved, but you didn’t explain. What happened exactly?”
Ethan and Tina had been tied up in back–to–back meetings all afternoon and hadn’t had time to ask until now.
Seeing that Stella was in a video call, Landon respectfully excused himself and stepped out.
1/2
3:55 PM PP
Chapter 73 The Dinner Strategy
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Stella had just opened her mouth when Ethan’s brows furrowed.
“What are you wearing? Are you in the kitchen?”
She raised the camera to show him her apron. “I’m cooking.”
+5 Free Coins
Ethan’s expression darkened. “Why are you cooking? The kitchen’s full of oil and smoke–bad for your skin. What if you burn yourself? Just order in from one of your favorite restaurants.”
“I had Tina send you the numbers for a few good places. My friends own those restaurants. They deliver.”
Stella smiled. “I’m not cooking for myself. I’m making dinner for Nathan.”
Ethan blurted out, “Why the hell does he get to eat your cooking?”
It hit him a second too late that he was talking about the very Mr. Foster he’d been idolizing recently, but he didn’t take it back.
No one deserved his sister’s cooking–not even him.
Back at home, Stella never had to lift a finger. Her younger brothers always fought to do everything for her.
She explained, “I need his help looking into Louis. We don’t have any connections in the slums, and I need to show some appreciation.”
Ethan was immediately wracked with guilt. He rubbed the rosary on his wrist. “Sis… I’m sorry. You’re only doing this because of me.”
If he hadn’t lost Louis, none of this would be happening.
“How about I hop on a plane right now and go cook for Mr. Foster myself?” he offered, already starting to get up.
Stella burst out laughing. “Relax. By the time you make it to Ashford, it’ll be breakfast. And don’t think for a second that eating my food is some kind of reward. I’m not exactly a culinary genius.”
As a kid, Stella had loved learning new things–cooking included.
After a few days of her attempts in the kitchen, the whole family had food poisoning.
Eventually, her parents made Ethan beg her to give it up to avoid another household disaster.
Ethan winced. “That’s exactly why I’m worried for Mr. Foster.”
After updating him on Louis‘ situation, Stella hung up the call with a few grumbles.
Then she went to find the chef.
Landon, who took food very seriously, had been mulling things over outside. When she called him in, he looked at her and said, “Here’s an idea, Ms. Stella. I’ll cook the meal tonight, but I’ll make it taste totally different from my usual dishes. Then we’ll just say you made it. I swear I won’t say a word.”
Stella frowned. “That won’t work. Nathan’s just upstairs applying ointment. He’ll be back down soon–it’ll be too easy to get caught.”
