Chapter 96

When Edwin and Elias made it clear they wanted to handle the cooking, Emilia let the matter drop.

Refusing to stand by while others did all the work, Emilia joined Sloane at the couunter to start preparing a pot of soup.

Everyone soon got involved, from washing leafy greens to chopping vegetables and setting up the ingredients.

Edwin set to work with energy, putting together a plate of blackened shrimp bursting with Cajun flavor,slow-roasted pulled pork glazed in barbecue sauce, and grilled clams tossed in garlic butter and spice.

Elias, sticking to comfort food, cooked up garlicky spinach and scrambled eggs loaded with melted cheese and sun-dried tomatoes.

Because maneuvering the kitchen in a wheelchair posed a real challenge, Elias kept his menu short,with Wilbur standing by his side to heIp however he could.

Once the meal was finished, Emilia looked over the colorful dishes spread across the table. "Thank you,everyone, for putting in so much effort."

"It was nothing. Go on, Emilia, have a taste." Edwin flashed her a bright look.

Across the table, Elias grew quiet, a chill settling into his features.

"I'Il start with the clams," said Emilia as she reached for the plate and took a bite.

The moment the flavors hit her tongue, she couldn't hide her delight. Her eyes widened with genuine surprise at just how good Edwin's cooking was.

"This is amazing!" she said, and her.voice left no doubt she meant every word.

Not missing a beat, Wilbur glanced at Elias's tense expression and nudged the conversation along.′′MHarris,you should really try what Elias made too." Catching Wilbur's enthusiasm, Edwin's cheerful expression faltered for a second. He shot Wilbur a sharp glare, making it clear he wasn't fooled by Wilbur's intentions.

"Emilia, you should try the shrimp and the pork too. They turned out really well," Edwin suggested gently,trying to recover.

"I'll get to those next, but let me taste these first." Emilia gave him a reassuring smile. She took a forkful of the eggs and followed it with a bite of spinach.

As she sampled each dish, Edwin's gaze dropped, lashes lowering as he masked the hint of disappointment that crept across his face.

After savoring the spinach, Emilia spoke up. "This is excellent. I never would have guessed you had such talent in the kitchen, Mr. Dixon."

"Thanks for saying that," Elias replied softly, managing a small nod.

"Is the food i made too heavy for your taste, Emilia? I hope I didn't overdo it," Edwin said, a touch of worry creeping into his voice.

"Not in the slightest," replied Emilia, sampling the pork and then reaching for a shrimp without hesitation to put Edwin at ease.

"These are honestly incredible." She flashed Edwin a bright grin and gave him a thumbs up. "I'd say you and Elias could both give professional chefs a run for their money."

"If you're enjoying it, let me get you some more," Edwin responded.

A shadow flickered across Elias's face, and his mouth pressed into a harder line. The sight of Emilia complimenting Edwin, on top of that enthusiastic thumbs up, grated on him.

Not willing to let Edwin win all the praise, Elias took the initiative, urging Emilia to taste more of his food."Not just meat. You should eat vegetables a little more," he said, voice steady and blank.

Watching the two's urge, Emilia gave a resigned smile."Okay, okay. No one is going tobe overlooked."

Sloane hardly glanced up from her plate, savoring every mouthful with the kind of focus reserved for life's greatest pleasures.

Wilbur joined her, shoveling food in with a quiet determination, both of them lost in the flavors,barely noticing anything beyond the next bite.

At the opposite end of the table, Edwin and Elias locked eyes. Neither said a word, but the look they exchanged said it all.

An unspoken rivalry crackled between them, thickening the air with competition as if the meal itself had become a new battlefield.