Chapter 178


    Although she had met Penelope a few times before, she liked her a bit more at that moment.


    Allison was prepping to whip up a cherry pie. Back in the day when she was in Cloudville, there was


    this old bakery at the corner street of the county.


    The olddy who ran the bakery was buddies with her grandma, and they often scored some free


    pastries. Allison practically grew up in that bakery, watching the olddy bake every day, and


    eventually picked up the skills


    Then one time, an earthquake wrecked most of Cloudville, and she had no clue how the olddy was


    doing now


    The cherry pie was out of the oven in no time. Miranda took a bite, the cherry vor sweet and smooth


    but not cloying. Compared to her own, this one was even smoother. Two totally different sensations. He


    eximed, “Penelope, I had no idea you were such a whiz in the kitchen”


    “Lucian should be in the side hall, let’s take it over to him”


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    Side hall


    Lucian and George were having a go at chess.


    Lucian was ying with the white pieces, George with the ck ones. The two were locked in a fierce


    duel, neither willing to give an inch.


    Kami was watching from the sidelines, “What do you say? Should we spice up this game with a little


    wager? Like, the loser has to take me out for a meal!”


    George chuckled, “You’re quite the wheeler dealer. Regardless of who loses, you benefit.”


    Having been spoiled since childhood, Kami responded, “Then it’s settled. Lucian, George, best of


    three, loser takes me out for a meal and then shopping!”


    Just then, a faintly sweet cherry aroma wafted through the air.


    Kami sniffed, “What’s that smell? It’s so good! Did someone bake something?”


    Allison walked over carrying the cherry pie, with Miranda trailing behind her, “This is Penelope’s


    creation, you guys should try it.”


    Allison set the tray down on a table nearby, thought for a moment, and handed Lucian a slice.


    Lucian took a bite after receiving it, it tasted a bit different from what he was used to, but it was


    delicious, even better than any he had tasted before. Smooth in texture, sweet and tasty.


    George also had a slice, “You’re quite the baker.”


    With a puzzled look, Kami asked, “Is it really that good?”


    She was skeptical


    But seeing both her brothers seemed pretty pleased, she couldn’t help but take a slice to taste for


    herself, and then her eyes widened, it really was tasty, even better than what the housekeepers at


    homemade


    Penelope, who knew you were such a culinary master!


    George nced at Allison. She was wearing dark sunsses, covering half of her face. Dressed in a


    ck and white tweed outfit, with her hair gently curled and draped over her back, standing next to


    Lucian. He turned to Allison and asked, “Got any good ideas for a bet?”


    Allison was a bit hesitant, but seeing Lucian looking at her, she said, “The loser has to down three


    extra drinks tonight.”


    Kami snorted. “Boring”


    George said, “That’s fine; it’s been a while since I’ve had a proper drink.”


    Lucian put down his chess piece, ‘Looks like you know you’re outmatched and are going to lose.”


    George retorted, “Only throughparison can we know who’s better. Let me see if your chess skills


    have improved over this time, Lucian.”


    Allison stood next to Lucian, watching him y chess.


    Back in Cloudville, when she was a kid and bored, she yed chess with friends. It was her favorite


    pastime, not as formal as now, but a great way to kill time.


    In the evening, a bunch of people would gather at the entrance of her grandma’s clinic, where she


    would watch the old folks y chess, often untilte into the night.


    The elderly man next door always liked to y chess with her, and after a while, Allison’s chess skills


    became quite impressive.


    She could hold her own against the old guys.