As everyone watched in stunned silence, Serena solved Mr. Marshall’s problem in two minutes.
Mr. Marshall’s eyes lit up, his face beaming with excitement. "So that's how it is! Of course, it had to be you, Miss Serena! I’m going to try again right now!"
Serena nodded. "I have to go."
"I still have so many…" Mr. Marshall started, disappointed, but his gaze swept over the other people in the room, and he caught himself. He sighed lightly. "Miss Serena, I won't take up any more of your time with your family. Next time you're free, I'll ask you for more advice."
He quickly called a waiter over to help them pack up their things.
In the end, Le Céleste refused to charge them a single dollar. They even declared that as Miss Serena’s family, they could come to Le Céleste anytime without a reservation, and their meals would be complimentary.
It was obvious to everyone that Serena had a very close relationship with Mr. Marshall, the owner of Le Céleste.
Just how incredible were her cooking skills to make Elyndor's number one master chef, a man known for his culinary obsession, so utterly deferential to her?
Isabella, who had been completely ignored, didn't dare utter a word.
She had already made a fool of herself tonight over Nicholas.
And just now…
Her deliberate attempt to cozy up to Mr. Marshall had left her with absolutely no dignity.
She was trembling with rage, completely unable to believe what she had just seen.
Mr. Marshall was a figure so revered that even her own instructor, Calvin, would have to bow and scrape, and still might not earn a second glance from him.
She had always been so proud of having a famous chef like Calvin as her mentor.
But in front of Serena, all of it was reduced to nothing.
Why?
Serena was just a country girl!
A nobody who deserved to live at the bottom!
Isabella’s eyes darted around, scanning the luxury cars parked at the entrance of Le Céleste. She grabbed Catherine’s hand, her tone a mix of petulance and feigned thoughtfulness. "Mom, I don't think our car has enough room for everyone, and I didn't drive here tonight…"
As she spoke, she cast a shy glance in Nicholas’s direction.
Her meaning was unmistakable—she wanted Nicholas to be a gentleman and offer her a ride home.
If she could just get some time alone with him, she was confident she could win him over.
Catherine frowned slightly, her gaze on Isabella becoming more suspicious and analytical.
Her adopted daughter’s behavior tonight had been far too deliberate. From the moment she arrived at Le Céleste, she had seemed to be losing her composure again and again.
Something was very off.
That look made Isabella’s heart tighten.
She quickly forced a more obedient smile, adopting a thoughtful and generous demeanor as she explained, "Mom, don't misunderstand. I just noticed that since Serena came back to the family, she's always out and about and hasn't had much time to spend with you all."

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