Chapter 0284


    His words give me pause. Our eyes lock, and for a moment, I’m lost in his brown gaze. But then, I


    realize that he’s right; Logan just wants to throw me off my game. This isn’t the cook-off. There are no


    fellow contestants switching my spices, no real reason to let one judge’sments make me doubt


    everything.


    But that doesn’t mean that I can’t go outside the box for the entree. Suddenly, I have an idea, and a


    grin spreads across my face.


    “I’ve got it,” I whisper.


    …


    “So, Abby, what’s on the menu for the entree?” Vanessa asks, her voice carrying a note of genuine


    curiosity that helps unwind the nerves that have settled in my stomach.


    I nce up, a smile touching my lips. It’s not what I nned for tonight, but I just know it’ll work.


    “Stuffed chicken breast with a side of rosemary potatoes and sauteed green beans.”


    Logan makes a face. “We asked you for something outside of the box, Abby,” he says, his voice almost


    a hiss. “And you choose chicken, potatoes, and green beans?”


    I nod, ignoring his jabs. “I did.”


    Xavier speaks up before Logan can retort and leans in, peering at the herbs I’mying out on the


    counter. “Interesting choice. I assume you’ll find a way to wow us, to make this dish a real standout,


    correct?”


    I nod, my hands already deftly prepping the chicken breast. “I will. You’ll see.”


    Logan’s expression is unreadable, his eyes following my knife, but says nothing.


    Vanessa grins. “Well I, for one, love this dish. I’m excited to see how you make it your own, Abby. A


    twist on a ssic.”


    The chicken is now seasoned and ready for the pan, sizzling as it hits the heat. “The surprise is a hint


    of lion’s mane.”


    The judges exchange looks, each as baffled as the rest. “Lion’s mane? The mushroom?” Vanessa


    asks.


    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    I nod. “Yes. I believe it adds a unique texture and an earthy vor to an otherwise light dish. Combined


    with the tang of the lemon juice in the sauce, think of it like…”


    “A symphony of vors,” Xavier says, sounding pleased. I nod, and lift my eyes to meet the judges.


    Vanessa and Xavier are both on the edges of their seats, while Logan is leaning back, his arms folded


    across his chest, watching me with the utmost scrutiny.


    But I won’t let it get to me. I can’t let it get to me. I’m too determined to make him eat his words.


    As the chicken cooks, I turn to the potatoes, their skins crisping to a golden hue. The beans follow, their


    vibrant green a contrast to the rich browns on the rest of the te.


    “Your timing is impable,” Xavierments, his eyes never leaving the pans in front of me.


    “Vo.”


    Vanessa’s eyebrows lift as she scans the table, then settles her gaze on me. “Abby, where’s your


    te?” Read at NovelDrama.Org


    A pause hangs in the air, and I feel suddenly confused. “I wasn’t aware I should be joining you.”


    She chuckles. “Abby, this is your home—not the cook-off. Won’t you and Ken at least join us for the


    entree?”


    Karl and I exchange nces, both of us taken aback by the sudden invitation.