Chapter 66
Chapter 66
| made an excuse and ducked out of the backyard.
Meanwhile, in the spacious kitchen, Cecilia was in a tizzy, scrambling to get the ingredients ready.
When she saw me, it was like I was her knight in shining armor. “Xaviera, what am | gonna do? My cooking skills are so—so at
best.”
took a look at the chaotic countertop, “so-so” was an understatement — it was a hot mess..
| tied on an apron and said, “Better let me handle it.”
| was no master chef, but whipping up a few of Hry’s favorite home-cooked dishes was a piece of cake for me.
Plus, I''d spent a good two years cooking for Hogan — | knew exactly when the meal was done, and whether to hold back on the
spring onions or skip the ginger. | had their preferences down
toaT.
In less than half an hour, | had five dishes and a soup ready to go. The carp soup was one of Hogan''s favorite stomach-friendly
brews from the ingredients we had on hand, simmering
away.
Hry’s stiff expression finally softened a bit as she looked at the spread on the table.
She didn’t even realize it was my handiwork.
For a moment, | didn’t know whether to feel relieved or sad.
When she was hospitalized with a heart attack, | was in charge of her meals, every single day for over a month.
“Mrs. Hry, give it a try,” Cecilia said enthusiastically, passing Hry the utensils, “see if it’s to your liking.”
“Hold on, Hogan’s still on his way.”
“Hogan’sing back too?” Cecilia’s eyes were brimming with anticipation.
Speak of the devil, Hogan walked in.
Seeing the three of us, he didn’t seem surprised; he must''ve caught wind of it beforehand.
Cecilia tiptoed over with a beaming smile, “Hogan, | cooked tonight,e and taste my culinary magic.”
Hogan took the seat of honor.
With Hry, the elder, on his left, and Cecilia on his right, dishing up enthusiastically, she was the picture of a considerate young
wife—to—be.
| was the odd one out.
But the mother and son seemed to approve of Cecilia’s “culinary skills,” tucking in with gusto.
When the carp soup was served. Ceciliadled out a big bowl for Hogan. He took a sip and couldn''t help but frown.
“What''s up, Hogan?”
Hry noticed themotion and nced at the carp soup, saying coldly. “Hogan can’t stand ginger. Don’t you know that as his
girlfriend?”
The usatory tone, the displeased look.
Cecilia was dumbfounded, her face a picture of shock as she looked at me.
Of course, | knew Hogan couldn’t stand ginger. So | used to use lemon juice to get rid of the fishy smell when | made this dish,
but not today.
With an apologetic tone, | said, “Sorry, Mrs. Hry, I’m the one who added the ginger.”
Hry stared at me in disbelief, “Xaviera?”
In her mind, | was probably someone who treated Hogan’s preferences as gospel.
| drooped my eyelids, feigning innocence.
Out of the corner of my eye, | caught the hint of a smirk on Cecilia''s lips.
Little did she know, just tonight''s act wasn’t enough. At the right time, they still needed me, the faux ex, to throw things into sharp
relief.
The ginger was a deliberate move on my part.
After dinner, Cecilia stayed behind to y the role of the good girlfriend, while | made some excuse to high-tail it out of there.
By the time | made it back to my ce, it was dead quiet. | took off my mask of pretense andy silently in bed.
| thought, after tonight’s drama, Hogan should be even less inclined to cast me aside, right?
Out of the blue, my phone started to ring.
When | saw the caller ID, my eyebrows shot up.
Hogan’s call.
At this hour, shouldn''t he be with Ms. Irwin?
With a mix of confusion and nervousness, | answered the call.
“Mr. Zade.”
“Nice performance tonight,” the man’s voice was husky, “what kind of reward are you looking
Chapter 66
for?”
Caught off guard, | paused for a few seconds before replying, “It was nothing, Mr. Zade. YouN?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
decide.”