Chapter 8 Cooking for his family

Nicholas entered the room a minute later and found Chloe already asleep on the bed. He paused, his gaze lingering on her peaceful face. For a moment, his cold demeanor softened.

"Hope you won't end up like the others," he murmured under his breath, almost as if it were a warning-both to her and himself.

With a sigh, he turned and entered the inner room connected to theirs. Inside was a second bed, neatly arranged, along with all the necessities he needed. This was his sanctuary, a place where he could retreat and keep his distance.

After retrieving his toiletries, he stepped back out to take a shower in the shared bathroom. When he was done, he returned to the inner room, shut the door, and sank onto his bed.

The next morning, Chloe was startled awake by the blaring sound of an alarm. She sat up abruptly, groggily searching for its source, but there was no alarm clock in sight. The sound continued, loud and relentless.

Frustrated and confused, she got up and followed the noise. It was coming from downstairs.

When Chloe reached the living room, she saw everyone already gathered there, their expressions indifferent as if the noise was a routine part of their day. Embarrassed that she was the last to arrive, she quietly retreated upstairs to freshen up.

After taking a quick shower and dressing neatly, Chloe returned downstairs. She found Laine and Verona standing before Catherine, who sat like a queen at the head of the seating area. The men were nowhere to be seen, and the atmosphere was tense.

Catherine's sharp eyes immediately landed on Chloe as she entered. Her expression turned stern, her disapproval evident.

"Why are you just coming now?" Catherine demanded, her voice cold and cutting.

"I'm sorry, ma," Chloe said timidly.

"Not 'ma,'" Catherine corrected. "Mother-in-law. Address me properly."

Chloe hesitated before replying, "Okay... Mother-in-law."

Catherine's lips twitched slightly, but it wasn't a smile. "Since you're new to this family, there are certain things you must learn-and quickly. Every daughter-in-law here has duties. Let's see if you're capable."

Chloe stood silently, unsure of what was coming next.

"You will prepare breakfast for everyone this morning," Catherine continued. "We'll see if you're worth anything at all."

Verona smirked, her tone dripping with malice as she added, "I doubt she even knows how to cook."

"Silence!" Catherine snapped, and the room fell quiet. She turned back to Chloe. "It's tradition in this family. Every daughter-in-law must cook for the household on weekends. It's a rule you cannot ignore."

Chloe nodded hesitantly. "Okay, Mother-in-law."

"Good. Then go to the kitchen and prepare something for everyone," Catherine instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Chloe swallowed hard, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on her. She had cooked before, of course, but this wasn't just cooking-it felt like a test. A test she couldn't afford to fail.

Without another word, she turned and made her way to the kitchen, her heart pounding. As she stepped inside, she was overwhelmed by the sheer size of it. Everything was state-of-the-art, gleaming and spotless. But the intimidating grandeur only added to her nerves.

Taking a deep breath, she rolled up her sleeves and began to gather ingredients. If this was a challenge, she would face it head-on. She might not know much about the Knight family yet, but she knew one thing: she couldn't afford to let them see her as weak.

In the dining room, Catherine and Verona exchanged sly glances, while Laine watched silently, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. Upstairs, Nicholas had been observing from the shadows, unseen by the others. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of curiosity-and perhaps concern-as he watched Chloe disappear into the kitchen.

Chloe stood in the vast, intimidating kitchen, her nerves threatening to overwhelm her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She had to do this. She couldn't give Catherine or Verona the satisfaction of seeing her fail.

She opened the pantry, surprised by its sheer size and the endless rows of expensive ingredients. Her fingers hovered uncertainly over the options. What should she cook? She didn't know the family's preferences, but she decided to stick to something simple yet hearty-something that could impress without being overly ambitious.

She began chopping vegetables, boiling water, and seasoning the meat she'd chosen for a stew. Her movements were careful but determined, and she tried to ignore the voices of doubt in her head.

"Just focus," she whispered to herself, wiping her forehead.

As the aroma of cooking filled the kitchen, Laine peeked in from the doorway. "Need any help?" she asked, her tone light but genuinely curious.

Chloe looked up, startled but grateful for the offer. "I think I've got it under control... but thank you."

Laine smiled faintly. "You're doing well. Don't let them intimidate you. Catherine likes to test people, but she's not as terrifying as she seems."

Chloe gave a weak smile in return, unsure if she believed Laine's words. "I'll do my best."

Laine nodded and left, leaving Chloe to finish her task.

About an hour later, Chloe emerged from the kitchen, carefully balancing trays of food. She had prepared a rich vegetable and beef stew, fresh bread rolls, and a simple fruit salad for dessert. The dining table was already set, and everyone had gathered around, waiting.

As Chloe placed the dishes on the table, she felt the weight of their stares. Catherine's expression was unreadable, but Verona's smirk was evident. Laine, as always, watched quietly, offering no opinion just yet.

Nicholas, who had finally joined them, sat at the head of the table, his cold gaze briefly meeting Chloe's before he looked away.

"Let's see what you've made," Catherine said, lifting a spoon to taste the stew.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Catherine took her first bite. Her expression didn't change immediately, and Chloe's anxiety grew with each passing second.

Finally, Catherine set the spoon down and nodded slightly. "It's decent," she said, her tone grudging.

"Decent?" Verona interjected, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure we've had better-"

"Enough, Verona," Catherine snapped. "She's done better than I expected."

Chloe felt a small wave of relief wash over her. It wasn't glowing praise, but it was far better than she had feared.

Nicholas, however, didn't comment. He picked up his spoon and began eating without a word, his expression giving nothing away.

Laine smiled encouragingly at Chloe. "It's delicious," she said warmly, taking another bite.

"Thank you," Chloe murmured, her cheeks flushing slightly.

The children, Daniel and Daniella, sat at the far end of the table, poking at their food without much interest. Daniella muttered something under her breath, but Chloe chose to ignore it.

As the meal continued, Chloe felt a small sense of accomplishment. It wasn't perfect, and the atmosphere was still tense, but she had managed to make it through her first challenge.

After dinner, as she cleared the table, Nicholas approached her in the kitchen. His tall frame loomed over her, and she tensed, unsure of what to expect.

"You handled yourself well," he said finally, his voice low but even.

Chloe blinked, surprised. It wasn't exactly a compliment, but coming from Nicholas, it felt significant. "Thank you," she said softly.

He nodded and walked away without another word, leaving Chloe standing there, confused but slightly more confident.

For the first time since entering the Knight mansion, she felt like she had taken a small step forward. But deep down, she knew this was only the beginning.