Chapter 282

Adrian remained silent, his eyes closed in deliberate indifference. The tension in the air was palpable.

Dominic wisely swallowed his next remark when he noticed Vivian's stiff posture. Picking a fight with two people when Adrian clearly wouldn't back him up? Not worth it. He exhaled sharply through his nose.

Emerging from the pool, he wrapped a plush robe around himself and sauntered toward the sofa. "I'm starving. We've got groceries. Who's cooking?"

Audrey sprawled dramatically across the cushions. "Do I look like your personal chef? Make it yourself."

"I never said—"

The ringing house phone cut through their bickering.

Dominic answered to hear a polite staff member's voice. "Good evening, Mr. Sinclair. We're offering an exclusive buffet service in the restaurant beneath your Seabreeze Villa. The space has been reserved solely for your party, and our executive chef is prepared to craft any dishes you desire."

"Excellent." Dominic's face lit up with smug satisfaction as he hung up. He shot Audrey a triumphant look. "See? The universe provides. Think of food, and dinner appears."

In the private dining room

The group arrived freshly showered and changed, only to be assaulted by the pungent aroma of chili peppers. The table groaned under the weight of fiery dishes—spicy lobster, Szechuan chicken, and an array of tongue-numbing specialties that promised tears.

Dominic wrinkled his nose. "Can we get some milder options? This is practically inedible."

Adrian's gaze flickered briefly toward Vivian.

Audrey, never one for subtlety, gasped dramatically. "Viv! These are all your favorites!" She linked arms with her friend, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Your mysterious admirer must have arranged this."

Noticing the storm clouds gathering in Adrian's expression, Dominic quickly interjected. "Enough standing around. I could eat a horse. Let's sit."

They took their seats beneath Adrian's simmering glare.

Vivian selected a fork and passed another to Audrey. A plate of chili-glazed beef strips shimmered before her. She took a careful bite. "It's... decent."

Adrian speared a piece, tasted it, then deposited it in the discard bowl with a look of utter disdain. "Overcooked. Chewy. The spices didn't penetrate properly." His critique dripped with contempt.

Only then did Vivian remember the exquisite version of this dish Adrian had prepared in their home kitchen. Sensing his growing irritation, she sought to diffuse the tension.

Meeting his stormy gaze, she offered softly, "Yours was definitely better." It wasn't empty flattery—Adrian excelled at everything he put his mind to, cooking included.