C352 Why Come Only When She Cooks

Mary and Georgia stood up and walked toward the crowded kitchen. The sight before them immediately surprised them. Several maids and security guards were gathered outside the kitchen door. Some were even holding up their phones and recording videos. Others were standing patiently, waiting. Other offered to help her but she refused. Only after Alicia finished did Mary finally turn toward them.

With genuine curiosity, she asked, "Why do all of you come whenever Alicia is cooking?" She folded her arms. "Why don't you come when I'm cooking?" The group immediately burst into laughter. Mary blinked in confusion. One of the maids stepped forward and smiled. "Madam, we made a promise among ourselves." "A promise?" "Yes." The maid nodded seriously. "We promised that whenever Miss Alicia cooks, we would come." The others nodded in agreement. Another maid raised her hand. "Madam, I run a cooking page online."

Mary looked surprised. "You do?" The maid smiled proudly. "Yes. Every time Miss Alicia cooks, I do a live broadcast." Everyone laughed. The maid continued, "If one day I suddenly post a video of you cooking instead of Miss Alicia, my followers will become very confused." The kitchen erupted into laughter again.

Even Georgia who had followed behind Mary couldn't help smiling. One of the security guards spoke next. "Madam, I spend most of my time guarding the front gate." He scratched his head awkwardly. "Usually the smell of food never reaches me." He paused before smiling. "But somehow Miss Alicia's cooking always reaches the gate." Everyone laughed again. The last maid stepped forward. "Besides, Madam, we all bring our own lunch." She smiled warmly. "It's just that Miss Alicia's food feels special."

Mary stood there completely stunned. She didn't know whether to laugh or feel defeated. Without saying another word, she slowly turned around and walked away. Georgia followed behind her, struggling to hold back her laughter. When they returned to the dining room, Peter immediately noticed their expressions. "What happened?" he asked curiously. Mary sat down quietly. She looked completely speechless. Peter blinked. "Mary?" She still said nothing. Georgia finally burst out giggling.

Peter turned toward her. "What?" Georgia laughed. "I'll let Mary explain." The entire room laughed. Mary looked around the table and saw everyone staring at her expectantly. Peter leaned forward. "Well? What did they say?" Mary sighed helplessly and shook her head. "They said they only come when Alicia cooks." Peter laughed so hard that he nearly choked. "That's it?" Mary pointed at him. "Don't laugh. I asked them the same question. I asked why they never rush to the kitchen when I cook." "And?" Peter asked, still grinning.

Mary looked completely defeated. "One of the maids told me she runs a cooking page online. She said her followers are used to seeing Alicia's food. If she suddenly starts posting my cooking, everyone will be confused." The laughter became even louder. Quinton wiped tears from his eyes. "Poor Mary." Georgia was laughing so hard she had to hold onto the table. "That wasn't even the best part." Peter looked at her curiously. "What was the best part?" Georgia pointed toward the kitchen. "The security guard said he spends all day at the front gate."

Everyone waited for her to continue. "He said normal food smells never reach him..." She paused dramatically. "But somehow Alicia's cooking always reaches the gate." Mary shook her head. "Does that mean we are bad at cooking?" The entire table erupted again. Even the ten coaches couldn't hold back their laughter. Conner the Beast shook his head. "Madam's cooking is that powerful?" Lewis the Sniper nodded seriously. "It sounds like a weapon." Fraser the Reaper added, "A dangerous one." The room laughed again.

Mary folded her arms. "And the last maid said something even worse." Peter grinned. "What now?" Mary looked toward the kitchen before answering. "She said they all bring their own lunches." Everyone nodded. "But Alicia's food simply feels special." For a moment the room became quiet. Then Georgia smiled. "Well, they aren't wrong." Mark nodded in agreement. "Alicia has always enjoyed cooking." At that moment, a delicious aroma drifted out from the kitchen again, causing several people to turn their heads instinctively. Peter smiled knowingly. "Looks like the chef is finally finished."

A few minutes later, Alicia finally appeared carrying several large dishes. Behind her, a few maids followed with more food. The delicious aroma instantly filled the dining room. Angus the Hammer and Fraser the Reaper exchanged glances. Conner the Beast was the first to speak. "Madam personally cooked for us." He rolled up his sleeves dramatically. "Then I won't be polite." Everyone burst into laughter. The moment the food was served, everyone immediately began eating.

A second later, shocked expressions appeared across the table. "Wow!" "This is delicious!" "Madam, this is incredible!" "How can food taste this good?" Soon the coaches were practically fighting over certain dishes. The dining room became noisy with laughter and arguments. While the Mooney family ate more quietly. Alicia noticed her father's unusual silence. Since she entered the dining room, Mark had barely spoken. She said nothing at first and continued eating. Only after dinner ended did the coaches finally leave.

The atmosphere inside the house became quieter. Mark looked at his daughter. His expression was serious. "Why didn't you tell me that possessing that dagger is so dangerous?" The room instantly fell silent. Alicia looked at him for a moment before smiling softly. "So that's why you've been upset since I came back from the kitchen?" Mark didn't smile. Alicia sighed. "Dad, I only found out this evening." "Mike was there." She looked toward the others. "My friends were there too." "None of us knew." Mark frowned. "And you're still accepting it?"

Alicia lowered her gaze briefly. Then she shook her head gently. "It isn't a matter of accepting it or rejecting it." Everyone listened quietly. "It wasn't my choice." She paused. "I never asked for this responsibility." Her voice softened. "It isn't something I would have chosen for myself." She looked toward the direction of Gold and Diamond. "But somehow it came to me." Silence filled the room. Alicia smiled faintly. "Maybe..." She paused. "Maybe it's my mother's wish from heaven." The room instantly became quiet.

Nobody argued. Nobody tried to convince her otherwise. Nobody blamed her. Everyone simply looked at her. For a brief moment, they all thought about the woman who was no longer there. Alicia broke the silence. She turned toward me. "Mike, how did it go?" I smiled and pointed toward a large box near me. "I bought it." Her eyes brightened. "The computer?" I nodded. She immediately stood up. "Let's go set it up." I laughed. "Now?" "Yes, now." The family finally smiled again. The two of us stood up and headed upstairs together.

At the Wood Residence. Sarah arrived home early once again. Kelvin and Tracy were already waiting. Ever since Samantha started coming home late, they had developed the habit of worrying. Ben, on the other hand, seemed unusually cheerful. After taking a shower, Sarah came downstairs and sat in the living room. About twenty minutes later, Samantha finally arrived. However, unlike usual, she seemed distracted. Her thoughts were clearly elsewhere. She greeted everyone and quietly sat down. Dinner was served shortly afterward. The family ate together.

Yet Samantha barely participated in the conversation. Several times, Sarah noticed her staring blankly at nothing. Sarah finally asked, "Sam, what's wrong?" Samantha looked up. "What?" Sarah frowned. "You've been distracted all evening." She paused. "Were you followed again?" The room instantly froze. Tracy's eyes widened. "Followed?" She turned toward Sarah. "What do you mean followed?" Kelvin straightened in his seat. His expression became serious. "Sarah..." His voice lowered. "Who would follow Samantha?"