Chapter 90

“Eat quickly,” Emma murmured, “or it won’t taste as good later.”

Liam’s breathing was heavy, his gaze affectionate. After a long moment, he calmed, unable to resist the delicacies Emma had prepared. He elegantly cut his food, and as the juicy, tender meat filled his mouth, a burst of sour, spicy, fragrant juice exploded on his palate. It was fresh and perfectly seasoned. He'd only tasted such exquisite food in a top-tier Michelin restaurant in Antgem. Emma’s culinary skills were unparalleled.

Deep jealousy clouded his features. “Who else have you cooked for?” Her food possessed a certain magic, a captivating quality that made people fall for her effortlessly. It felt tailored to each individual, seizing their hearts.

Emma rarely saw him so enthralled by food. “I’m glad you liked it. I’ll make it for you often,” she said, blowing him a kiss.

But her coquettishness was ineffective. Liam, still serious, held her hand. “When does your hotel internship end?”

Emma calculated. “This Friday. Why?”

“You can’t cook for anyone else,” he stated solemnly, “especially Aiden.” Anyone, especially men, who tasted Emma’s cooking fell too easily under her spell. He wouldn't permit such “privileges” to another.

Emma smiled. “Alright, I promise.”

However, upon returning to the hotel, Aiden continued to request Emma’s cooking daily, offering ten times the usual fee of a five-star hotel. Yet, her promise to Liam remained firm. She supervised the kitchen staff, teaching them her skills and sharing her recipes. Aiden was extremely satisfied with the Emma-guided delicacies for a week, until he learned of her departure.

He expected a return to bland food, but Emma had honed the entire kitchen to perfection. Even without her presence, their culinary output exceeded Liam’s expectations.

When the internship ended, Emma soon returned to Vark College. The hotel and the Global Hotel Association contacted the school, praising Emma as a rare, exceptional young woman with remarkable skill and life experience.

Only then did Emma discover that Aiden was a member of royalty, a low-profile artist, and a senior Michelin judge. She had single-handedly elevated the hotel's catering department to renown, earning Vark College significant sponsorship and collaboration. The school lauded her accomplishments.

Word of Emma's culinary prowess—capable of captivating even a Michelin judge—spread like wildfire. Students, now veritable gluttons, bombarded her with offers.

"Emma, I'll do your homework for a semester! Just cook for me!" one pleaded.

Another chimed in, "I'll buy you drinks for three years! I have to taste your cooking!"

Emma teased, "What about cup noodles?"

"Cup noodles are fine! Yours must be amazing!"

She laughed. He was quite the smooth-talker. While Liam forbade cooking for others, a barbecue with classmates seemed permissible.

"Let's go to B-Hut next time. I'll make barbecue."

Cheers erupted. The news spread through the corridors, reaching even the second class, who had been avoiding Emma since Alva’s incident. Their hunger was palpable.

“Damn it! If I’d known, I wouldn't have offended her! My Michelin-level barbecue…” one lamented.

“I’m starving! Let’s sneak over to Emma’s place!” another suggested.

After school, Emma found not Liam’s Mercedes, but Levi’s company car. Levi respectfully opened the door. "Madam, Mr. Hall asked me to bring you to the company. There are important project investments, and he wants your opinion.”

“My opinion?” She was surprised. Beyond the hacking crisis, she’d never been involved in his work. Perhaps he silently considered her his most trusted confidante.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at Halls Group headquarters. Emma, still carrying her school bag, sensed the tension within the boardroom through the glass door.

The shareholders frowned upon her entrance.

“Mr. Hall, what’s going on?” one demanded.

“This is a Halls Group meeting! Why is she here?” another echoed.

Liam, in a black suit, sat in the chairman's chair. Beside him, a smaller white leather chair sat empty—clearly reserved for Emma.

“Emma is a rare investment genius with an exceptional eye for detail,” Liam announced. “I asked her to advise everyone.”

The shareholders panicked.

“She’s an undergraduate! She’s not a shareholder or employee! How dare you give her a top seat at this meeting? You’re going too far, Mr. Hall!”

As the complaints mounted, Emma swaggered in, tossing her bag onto the chair.

“Mr. Hall asked for my opinion. If you’re so confident in your abilities, why does my presence bother you so?”

A shareholder sneered, “You’re just an abandoned child from a small family! How dare you…”

Emma smiled coldly. “I’m not showing off. But if your skills can’t surpass an ‘abandoned child,’ isn’t that embarrassing, Mr. Ames?”