The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 128

Stella couldn't quite grasp what Marvin was trying to say.

Marvin continued, "I just checked, and Mr. O'Brien's table ordered the exact same thing as ours. Stella mentioned that Keen has a nut allergy, and we did order a slice of nut-filled cake."

Stella shot a cold look at Rachel. "Now, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Rachel's shoulders slumped as she stared at the floor. "I... I didn't know the cake had nuts in it," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Haynes jumped in before Stella could respond, his tone defensive. "Come on, Stella. It was an honest mistake. You're acting like she did this on purpose."

"It was Keen who saw what you were having and insisted on having the same. This isn't Rachel's fault," Haynes added.

Stella turned her gaze to Haynes. "Fine, she didn't know Keen was allergic to nuts. But as Keen's father, didn't you?"

Haynes avoided Stella's gaze. "I don't eat sweets often, so I wasn't aware cakes could have nuts in them."

"Sweets?" Stella's eyes narrowed. "Keen is lactose intolerant. He can't have dairy-laden desserts like cream cake. You might not have known about the nuts, but surely you knew about the milk and cream?"

Haynes looked uncomfortable under Stella's questioning.

Rachel tried to jump in and support Haynes. "Ms. Cameron, children are always drawn to sweet treats, especially desserts."

"The more you tell them they can't have it, the more they want it. Sometimes they might even sneak a taste. It's better to let them have a small bite in front of us than to eat it behind our backs..."

Stella interrupted Rachel without hesitation. "Is that the flawed logic you're using to convince Haynes and Keen that it's okay?"