Revenge Series 1: Twins of Moonlight Desire

Chapter 6: Passed the Test

Chef Peterson lifted the cover of his soup, amusement was dancing in his eyes. Kathryn and Abby, who were sitting around him, held their breaths as he took a spoonful of the bean-curd egg drop soup Cole created.

Cole stared at the cooking he himself had prepared and didn’t feel any nervousness or doubt about his dishes. He knew in himself that he did his best in imitating the dish Chef Peterson had cooked. Whether he had successfully recreated the dishes or not, he would have no regrets.

Following Chef Peterson’s lead, Kathryn and Abby removed the cover of their soup, their eyes widened at the first dish that was presented to them. If they hadn’t seen Chef Peterson sitting in the same room with them, they would think that these soups were made by him.

“This is extraordinary! I can’t believe that this is Mr. Donovan’s cooking! Miss Jones, you are right! Mr. Donovan really has a talent for cooking! If it wasn’t him that cooked this, then I would think that it was Chef Peterson’s doing. From the colors, consistency, and plating, I would think that a professional chef did this with years of experience, not a student who hasn’t graduated yet!”

Abby picked up her spoon in great anticipation. She couldn’t wait to have a taste of the creamy bean-curd egg drop soup that was garnished with green onions.

Kathryn also took a spoon and had a taste. Unlike Abby’s reaction, hers was much calmer. Although it had surprised her that he had managed to recreate the dish’s appearance, she had never once doubted her judgment in choosing her people. And this time, she was right again.

“Hmm… I have taken the time to taste this soup, wanting to find a flaw in it, but I couldn’t find anything. No matter if it was too creamy or too salty, I couldn’t find a mistake even in the seasoning. But, this is just my personal view. After all, I am not a professional in this field. The final judgment still lies with Chef Peterson”

Kathryn said with a smile after she had finished the bowl in front of her. Now, her anticipation of tasting the next dish rose to the next level. For an amateur cook to produce such meals that could be mistaken as professionally done, Cole Donovan surely had an advantage in the competition.

Seeing such approved looks from them, Cole took the finished bowls away and cleared the table, ready to serve his pan-seared foie gras.

When he served his next dish, it was not only Abby who held her breath but also Kathryn. Her eyes widened slightly with shock written all over her face. The plating of the foie gras was so intricate that she suddenly felt she was dining in a high-class restaurant.

As if in a trance, she took her knife and fork, slicing the delectable dish in front of her. Putting it in her mouth, she was able to discern the slight crisp on the outside, but inside it was so smooth and velvety that it easily slid down her throat.

It tasted like butter. It tasted like the most delicious, velvety, buttery, and creamy deliciousness that she’d ever tasted in her whole life. Probably the most fabulous flavor that she’d tried, that not even those chefs she had encountered could compete with.

Following her lead, Chef Peterson tasted his foie gras and hummed in delight. Although he could not taste the flavor of the dish, he could discern that it was perfectly cooked based on the texture of the meat. “I see. You managed to master controlling the heat. Not bad, young lad.”

Searing and pan-frying foie gras was a no-fuss method that anyone could master. The preparation was so easy that the sauce would take more time and effort. A sauce with a balance of sweetness and acidity was the perfect complement to the taste of the foie gras, which Cole Donovan easily achieved by perfecting the flavors without adding unnecessary seasonings.

They finished the second dish without any problems. They all enjoyed the pan-seared foie gras, but it was Chef Peterson who was really impressed by Cole’s precise control of the heat. Keeping the best quality of the ingredient was so hard that even the professional chefs struggled with it, and yet Cole was able to estimate the right temperature to keep it without ruining its flavor.

With years of experience, Chef Peterson had, he was able to discern when a dish was properly flavored and seasoned without tasting it. His ability to compare the textures and colors of every dish was so superb that losing his sense of taste was not a huge problem. However, everyone would criticize him once they find out about his disability.

The majority of people would have doubts about the dishes served to them if the chef himself had problems with his taste. And, he couldn’t stand those judgmental eyes. He is a coward, he won’t deny it.

“I hate to say this, Chef Peterson, but Mr. Donovan’s version is better than yours.” Kathryn shook her head, “It is very delicious, Mr. Donovan”

“Nah, it’s fine Miss Jones.” Chef Peterson chuckled at her comment. He also agreed with her. This foie gras of Cole was much better than the one he cooked.

Cole Donovan presented the last dish and waited silently at the corner for their opinion. Just like the previous dishes, she didn’t disappoint them. The crisp and juicy flavor that they were expecting to taste from the roasted chicken hit their palate at once.

It was roasted to perfection and cooked with extra vigilance to avoid ruining the meat. It was so flavorful, thanks to the incredible marbling that allowed its fat to give it a taste and tenderness boost naturally.

“There aren’t any mistakes in the three dishes you presented to us. I concede defeat… Congratulations, Mr. Donovan. You are now my last disciple. From then on, I will impart all my years of knowledge to you. I hope you won’t disappoint me, as your teacher.” Chef Peterson turned to the young man.

"Thank you, Chef! Thank you so much!" Cole Donovan gratefully bowed.

He swore deep in his heart that he would not let Cole suffer the same fate as him and as his brother, that he would not let his ability and talent go to waste. He would be damned if he'd let the Hook family subdue another Donovan in front of him.

***

Nightshade Enterprise.

The spacious office, decorated primarily by white furniture and steel equipment was quiet except for the occasional ticking of the clock. Not a single sound could be heard within the desolate room. The atmosphere was suffocating and the tension was high.

The secretary standing in front of the desk with her head bowed did not dare to look up. Her head hung in shame for something she couldn’t have prevented. Nervously swallowing, she could only hope her boss would spare her thirst for blood.

“What do you mean our proposal was rejected?” Rhys Dalton seethed, his fingers pressing harshly on the metal pen.

“W-We have j-just received a— word from Reign Enterprise and—” Secretary Amelia Green let out a startled gasp when an object was hurled towards her. She narrowly dodged, but the dart was able to scratch her cheeks, immediately causing blood to drip.

“You have already told me that a couple of times! I asked you why the proposal was rejected, not for you to repeat yourself like a recorder! D*mn*t!” Rhys roared, slamming his hand onto his desk.

Secretary Green flinched in fear, her breathing came out haggard and anxious. She was terrified of Rhys Dalton and what he could do. When angered, he was like an irrational beast out for blood. It was impossible to quell his anger unless Alice Hook, his fiancee, was present. This was precisely why she practically begged Ms. Hook to make a visit before letting her boss know the collaboration he wanted was not going to push through.

“The proposal was sent back with notes on why it did not pass the Reign Enterprise’s preliminary assessment. A lot of our ideas were crossed out—”

“Fire the entire project planning board!”

“Yes, sir!” Secretary Green hastily typed the note onto her tablet.

“Seek out the primary consultant who was in charge of looking over all the proposals for Reign Enterprise for the next year. Find out their names, their position in the company, address, and contact them as soon as possible!”

Rhys felt his blood boil. He had been planning for a couple of months for this project yet Reign Enterprise rejected it during the preliminary round! He had investigated Reign Enterprise and found out that the mysterious president of the enterprise had his own independent team of consultants. Until now, no one was able to find out who they were, as the boss of Reign Enterprise made sure that their decisions made are free from any influence of external forces.

“Noted sir” Secretary Green’s fingers were slightly shaking because of how anxious she felt. Rhys Dalton was a ticking time bomb right now and one wrong word could set him off.

Secretary Green has been here for five years now. She knew how precarious the situation was, and how it had turned the harsh Rhys Dalton even more unbearable to work with. Ever since Kassidy Jones left the enterprise, their fashion business has been in decline.

And no matter what designs and latest collections were introduced by the company, none of them was able to gain the same results that Miss Jones’s designs had in the past. Because of this, their stocks have been slowly dwindling.

With her gone, the company had taken a big hit. On the surface, they seemed perfectly fine and even looked as if they had maintained the glory they had achieved during the year she worked there. But deep down, they were in decline. If not for the other businesses that Nightshade Enterprise had, they had long filed for bankruptcy.

Rhys had high hopes and expectations for the collaboration idea he had sent to Reign Enterprise. The proposal was created and tediously perfected for a good few months to make sure that it was very good. He had spent his blood, sweat, and tears on creating it, but it was rejected?!

Just then, a knock sounded through the room.

“Who is it?” Secretary Green called out, walking towards the door and opening the room to reveal a stunning woman with an angelic aura.

With luscious hair framing her dainty face, dewy eyes, and peach-blossomed lips, Secretary Green bitterly understood why Alice Hook was ultimately favored by her boss.

Alice Hook embodied exactly what poems would define as a stunning yet weak woman you need to dote on and pamper. This was the exact opposite of Kassidy Jones, who was independent in so many ways.

Alice Hook offered Secretary Green a mocking smile before brushing past her and walking straight towards Rhys, who was surprised to see her.

“Dear, what are you doing here?” His mood took a 360-degree turn and he immediately became better at the sight of his partner.

“I missed you, that’s why.” As always, her voice was dainty and soft, like the gentlest stroke of a feather.

Secretary Green stood by the door, hesitating between leaving and staying there. She looked back at the loving couple and felt her mood turn incredibly sour when she saw that they did not even wait for her to leave the room before getting into a compromising position.

Rolling her eyes at how inappropriate they were in the office, she walked out to fulfill the tasks given to her by her boss. She could also use this time to talk with her best friend to vent.

Right now, she really needed someone to talk to. And Amber Stewart was just the right person to call…

‘I hope she isn’t busy.’