Two Reborn, One Throne novel Chapter 174

It was only when Sharif caught the long-forgotten, comforting aroma of steaming rice that he finally pulled his eyes away from his iPad and looked at Amber.

The girl had somehow dug out his cooking apron from one of the cabinets and tied it around herself.

The apron was a bit too large for her, but she had cleverly folded it so it looked almost custom-made.

Sharif sat back on the plush sofa, his legs crossed. As the first woman to ever step foot in Harbor Heights and use his kitchen, Sharif hadn't held out much hope for her culinary skills.

But as he watched her effortlessly fall into a rhythm, he was genuinely baffled—the little fox actually knew her way around a kitchen.

Although Julian had provided him with a comprehensive background check on Amber, showing nothing out of the ordinary, she seemed to know exactly what she was doing. Had she investigated him? Sharif figured that since Lyle took the initiative to pick her up today, Julian must have also tipped her off about his food preferences.

She really put thought into this.

Sharif set his iPad down and walked over to Amber, who was busy preparing the glazed crispy snapper.

He leaned against the side of the massive kitchen island, arms crossed, watching her execute perfect, clean knife cuts.

Seeing him approach, the cat—which had been sitting on the counter—immediately hopped onto Sharif's shoulder. They looked like two partners admiring their loved one cooking a delicious meal for them.

Amber was slightly startled and looked utterly confused. "Mr. Madison, what's wrong? Am I doing something wrong?"

In her past life, she had cooked for this old fox countless times, and a scene like this had never occurred.

Amber tried to read his dark, inscrutable eyes to see if he was micromanaging her, but Sharif wasn't the type to do something so petty.

He was probably just bored. Why wasn't he on the couch reading his documents? Why was he staring at her?

—Was he afraid she was poisoning the food?

"Nothing. I'm just pleasantly surprised. You weren't exaggerating. Your skills are genuinely impressive."

Amber was slightly taken aback. If his mouth had been even half this toxic in her previous life, she would never have watered his lemon tree to death.

"You're too kind, Mr. Madison. The fish isn't even in the pan yet."

Don't try to sugarcoat things with me, she thought, I'm not going to let it go to my head. I know exactly what kind of game you're playing.

Sharif was genuinely surprised. His fingers tapped lightly against his arm as he kept them crossed. He wanted to ask—Amber, just what kind of person are you?

But he held his tongue, because Amber spoke up first. "Mr. Madison, could you please head back to the living room? I'm about to start frying the fish, and it wouldn't be good if oil splattered on you. Your shirts cost tens of thousands; I really can't afford to replace one."

Sharif chuckled. "I won't make you pay for it. But, by kicking me out, are you afraid my presence will affect your performance?"

Amber was speechless.

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