?Chapter 1647:


    Christina recited a long list of dishes in one breath, then lifted her eyes toward them with a smile of visible embarrassment. “Did I go overboard?”


    For an instant, stiffness shed across the Wade family’s faces before they quickly masked it. Annoyance simmered beneath the surface, yet this was not the moment to turn cold or pull back — their only choice was to grit their teeth and agree.


    “Not at all,” Marsha said promptly, motioning for the staff to clear the ruined table.


    Christina stood quietly, watching as every member of the household threw themselves into food preparation. She drifted to La’s side, where vegetables were being rinsed, and spoke with deliberate care. “Bain would be incredibly lucky to marry someone as capable as you.”


    Those words sent La working with renewed energy, a shy smile spreading across her face. “Being able to marry Bain would already be my greatest luck.”


    “Aren’t you still feeling unwell?” Christina frowned, her concern evident. “Maybe you shouldn’t be doing all this — I’d feel awful letting you cook an entire meal for me.”


    “I’m truly fine. I feel much better already,” La answered immediately. “Staying active actually helps. You should go rest in the living room.”


    “Well…” Faced with her insistence, Christina sighed helplessly. “Alright.”


    “Bonnie, take a look at this beef,” Jaxen said, holding up a b.


    “That’s perfect for steak.” Christina’s expression brightened at once. “Bain makes the best steak — I admire him so much. Whoever bes my sister-inw will be so lucky. I really wish I could find a boyfriend who cooks like that.”


    The moment those wordsnded, Jaxen was energized, as though he could take on the world. He wasn’t actually skilled at the dish, but that hardly mattered when showing off in front of Christina. Confident in his own cleverness, he was sure he could figure it out.


    “Bonnie, you’re going to love it. I’m excellent at steak too,” Jaxen dered with unshakable confidence.


    “Wow!” Christina reacted with wide-eyed admiration. “Jaxen, that’s amazing!”


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    Jaxen was so pleased he nearly floated. “Go rx in the living room. I’ll make it for you.”


    “Thank you, Jaxen. Your steak must be wonderful — I’m really looking forward to it,” Christina replied warmly.


    She turned to Marsha and Zahir, both already tied into aprons, and praised them with equal enthusiasm. Once herpliments were delivered, she lingered a moment to watch their busy movements before heading into the living room.


    There, she quietly calcted the timing and sent a message to her father. From time to time she returned to check on their progress, making sure everyone stayed upied. When most of the dishes were nearly ready, she retreated to the living room once more.


    The real performance was about to begin.


    Christina pressed down the curve of her lips, a sh of cunning crossing her eyes, and began counting silently in her head.


    Not long after, La hurried in. “Bonnie! Everything’s ready —e eat.”


    Seeing Christina’s drained expression, La asked with practiced concern, “You must be starving, right?”


    “La, I’m sorry. I’m afraid I might disappoint you after all the trouble you went through,” Christina said, pressing a hand to her stomach, her face pale and weak.


    “What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?” Believing the medicine had taken effect, La quickly added, “Why don’t you go lie down in my room for a bit?”


    “I don’t feel very well. I want to go home,” Christina said faintly.


    “Wait here — I’ll go get the driver,” La said, and rushed toward the dining room. They couldn’t let her walk out of the Wade household like that. If she left now, every n they hadid would copse.


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