Chapter 277

The spatula froze in Stella Valentine's hand.

Adrian Roland leaned against the doorframe, his tall frame accentuated by the black suit. "I remember you never stepped into the kitchen before," his deep voice rumbled. "Did you learn for him?"

"..."

"He must be special to make the Valentine heiress cook."

Stella flipped the pork slices, oil sizzling in the pan. "I didn't learn for Mr. Alistair," she said calmly. "It was for you."

Adrian's pupils constricted. "For me?"

"Five years of marriage, and you barely ate at home." Her wrist flicked gracefully, sending the meat swirling. "I knew about your stomach problems, how business dinners left you in pain. Every day I cooked mild dishes, waiting."

She looked up, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "Eighteen hundred days. Even a fool would master it."

His Adam's apple bobbed, speechless.

"Pity," she plated the caramelized pork, "neither you nor Mr. Alistair ever tasted my cooking."

"He hasn't either?"

"No. His stomach handles spice well."

Alexander Heilbronn's laughter floated from the dining room. After a beat, Adrian asked, "What will you do about Lily Savigny?"

Stella's hands stilled.

"It's time she paid," her voice icy soft. "A life for a life."

"I'll handle it."

"Can you bear to?"

His gaze turned glacial. "The moment she killed my father, she signed her fate."

Stella lifted a piece of sweet-and-sour pork to his lips. "Try it."

The tangy aroma enveloped them. Adrian hesitated, then accepted the bite.

"Well?"

"Perfect." His voice roughened. "No need for extra seasoning."

She arranged the dish—golden meat against emerald greens, sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Adrian took the plate. Alexander whistled. "TING, flour on your sleeve."

Bianca Cardenas smirked. "Rumors are true. The office iceberg melts at home."

"Hard being my secretary?" Adrian brushed his cuff.

"Like working in the Arctic!" Bianca rubbed her arms dramatically. "Video conferences could frost the screen."

Alexander's gaze slid toward the kitchen. "But being Mrs. Roland seems... blissful."

"Bliss?" Adrian's laugh was bitter. "Her biggest mistake was marrying me."

Stella approached with the final dish. Adrian stood, their fingers brushing as he took the bowl—

Both froze.

That touch...

Familiar as Mr. Alistair's hand enveloping hers.