Chapter 485 - Salty

Meanwhile, at the mansion of Matthew where everyone was gathered…

"Good morning, people of the world~!" Zoey's cheerful voice struck their ears which made everyone's head turn to her direction.

There, behind the kitchen counter, she was making her way with a pot over the tray she was carrying. She had an apron clung on her neck, appearing as if she was the one who made their breakfast.

Matthew was perched on the headset as he stared at her and at the pot of poison she was carrying hopelessly. Ryan and Owen, who were summoned to join the master for breakfast, finally understood the reason for this morning call. On the other hand, Carter was clueless about everything as he studied everyone's expression.

Meanwhile, Ivan's expression was way worse than them. He didn't even try to conceal the dismay in his eyes upon seeing Zoey in her outfit before serving the pot in the middle of the long table. The only person whose expression didn't change was Angelo who didn't have a literal taste of hell and Paul who was just standing in the corner.

"Since this is the start of an evolution, I thought of preparing everyone's breakfast to give you energy for the whole day!" When Zoey placed the hot pot of soup and began removing her heat resistant gloves, Zoey announced proudly.

It should sound moving as she bothered to prepare the breakfast herself. However, those who had a taste of her cooking from the previous night and Ivan who had been her number one basher in her cooking, didn't feel touched at all! Just the thought of eating a horrible breakfast made them feel weak! This wasn't a meal to give them energy, it was the opposite. 

It would drain them -- even their life energy! Such power in cooking shouldn't exist as it was just cursed! No matter how much they respected Zoey for her wits and capabilities, one couldn't deny that her hands were better in handling weapons and paperworks than cooking meals!

"Hey, are you crazy?" In utter disbelief, Ivan gasped as he turned to Matthew. After all, this was Matthew's territory. Therefore, he should have the power to stop her from entering the kitchen! 

Yet, Matthew ignored him. His minions, Ryan and Owen, who were always on defensive mode even by verbal attack couldn't argue with him. Indeed, they thought the same. To be honest, the two couldn't help but think Matthew had a hidden grudge against them as he kept on calling them whenever Zoey cooked something to suffer with him.

Meanwhile, Carter was puzzled by Ivan's question. However, he only glanced at Matthew. Since his boss ignored him, he also chose to ignore Ivan despite the curiosity of his question. Angelo also remained silent as he was curious how bad it was.

Angelo had heard stories of Zoey's cooking from Ivan in the past. Since Ivan tends to exaggerate everything, he thought it wasn't that bad. Matthew wouldn't be a fool to let her touch anything in the kitchen if she was that of a terrible cook, right?

"Hey, what are you saying? My darling said my cooking is not that bad! You don't know yet, but I practiced all the time! I just didn't have the time to cook in the company." In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey scoffed at Ivan as she returned the dismay he was casting at her.

"Right, darling? It's good, right?" To prove her claims, Zoey turned to Matthew as she batted her eyelashes coquettishly. 

"Mhmm." As usual, Matthew hummed a low tune as he nodded his head. He didn't dare speak another word as he was busy preparing himself to eat what his woman prepared for everyone. The thought of having everyone share the same suffering reduced his reluctance as they were on the same boat.

"Hah! Really?" Ivan, still suspicious at her claims, narrowed his eyes. Upon seeing that Matthew seemed to appear normal like always, his doubt waned. "Did you really practice?" He asked once again, studying Zoey who was perched nearest to the head seat.

"Why don't you try?" she dared, raising her right eyebrow as she smirked proudly. Without further ado, Zoey served Matthew and then everyone followed.

Since Ivan was easily convinced by her proud claims and Matthew's expression, he still served himself just to confirm if she had truly improved. After all, no matter how fond Matthew was to her, he wouldn't be a fool to eat that was not edible, right? Even NIkolai who was obsessed with Zoey couldn't stand her cooking.

Soon, everyone served themselves knowing that everything on the table was cooked by her. Ryan and Owen who hadn't recovered from two nights ago prayed to the deities and their ancestors to numb their taste buds. Meanwhile, Matthew didn't have any change in his expression while the rest just focused on eating.

It would be a long day as Angelo and Ivan were scheduled to join the men's training. For some reason, Matthew approved of Zoey going to work alone as her schedule was rather free after her meeting with the Zoid Solutions Inc. The rest of her work could be done even if she wasn't in the office herself.

Not long after, the moment of truth arrived. Ryan and Owen took a deep breath as they spoon a spoonful of soup, Their hands could not help but tremble as they lifted it in front of their mouth,

'I'm ready!' The two thought in unison, letting out a deep exhale as they swallowed a mouthful of saliva before shoving the spoon in their mouth.

At the same time, everyone around the table had their first taste of the breakfast. "Pwe!" Instantly, Ivan coughed out loud as his arm sprawled towards the glass of water in desperation.

"What the!" Ivan gasped loudly, even after drinking a mouthful of water didn't help to dilute the taste in his mouth.

Meanwhile, Carter and Angelo's soul immediately left their body as they didn't have the time to react. 'It was horrible!' Both screamed internally, couldn't believe how a soup could taste so deadly. Obviously, Owen and Ryan's reaction was not any better as they nearly wept for expecting the deities and their ancestors to help them.

The only exception was Matthew who was eating it continuously without any changes in his reaction. "Holy…" As Ivan watched Matthew's unchanging reaction, his entire face scrunched up in dismay.

'Fake it till you make it… is this today's theme?!'

"What? It's not that bad." Zoey who was staring at Ivan in disgust scoffed.. She then took a spoon to taste it herself but as she did, her complexion paled as it was too salty! It was as if the water she used was ocean's water.