?Chapter 1676:


    “Bonnie, have some soup,” Jaxen said, easing a bowl toward Christina, but she lifted a hand to stop him.


    “I’m good, thanks — I just don’t feel like it right now,” Christina said.


    Jaxen set the bowl down, stiff and uneasy, and shot Elliott an irritated look. Elliott’s smug little grin only made his temper spike further.


    After finishing her crab, Christina cracked open another shell and pulled out the meat to feed the little girl. Whatever she did, her family treated it as the right call and backed her without hesitation.


    Her gaze drifted to the te of scrambled eggs with zhini sitting untouched in front of Marsha, and a subtle smile tugged at her lips. That dish was unmistakably something Marsha despised.


    Still holding the little girl in her arms, Christina made her way over to Marsha.


    “Mrs. Wade, I was so caught up in my meal that I forgot to offer you anything. I really apologize,” she said, smiling kindly.


    “Oh, it’s alright,” Marsha replied, putting on an indifferent front. Deep down, she was pleased that Christina was finally showing some manners.


    Christina reached for the serving utensils and transferred a generous heap of the scrambled eggs with zhini onto Marsha’s te.


    “Mrs. Wade, you truly should give the scrambled eggs with zhini a try. They’re wonderful. Everyone in our family loves them, and I’m sure you will too.” Christina recalled how Marsha had once insisted she eat food she couldn’t stand while staying at the Wade household. Now, the roles had quietly reversed.


    The entire Jones family was well aware that Marsha loathed the dish, but since it was being offered by Christina, no one interfered.


    ??our ??a?????? ??о???? o?? ????v?????? ??? ga??no????????.????m


    “Go on, try it. It really is delicious,” Florrie added cheerfully, helping herself to a portion and eating it with clear enjoyment.


    The expressions on the Wades’ faces darkened. Not a single one of them liked the dish — Marsha least of all. They felt mildly insulted that no one had thought to mention this to Christina beforehand.


    “Mrs. Wade, you really have to taste it,” Christina pressed, her eyes bright with anticipation.


    Marsha forced her lips into a polite smile. “To be honest, I’m not very fond of scrambled eggs with zhini.”


    “That’s only because you haven’t had enough of it. Give it a few more tries, and I’m certain you’lle around,” Christina said firmly.


    Marsha’s smile stiffened. She didn’t need another bite to know she hated it. “But—”


    “Mrs. Wade, this is one of my absolute favorite dishes. I genuinely think it’s amazing.” Christina’s voice softened, carrying a faint trace of hurt. “Please try it — if you don’t, I’ll be very disappointed.”


    Marsha’s mouth twitched. She felt subtly mocked. Was this retaliation for making Christina eat food she disliked in the past? Had Christina been quietly holding onto that resentment all along?


    Christina then turned her attention to the rest of the Wade family. “None of you like it?” Before anyone could respond, she quickly added, “I’m sorry. I only wanted to share my favorite food with you. I thought you might enjoy it too, but perhaps our tastes are simply too different.” She looked back at Marsha, her voice quivering just enough. “Mrs. Wade, I’m really sorry. I didn’t know you disliked something I love so much. I hoped we could all enjoy it together, but I suppose I was mistaken. Let me get you a fresh te.”


    She performed the apology wlessly — her voice wavering at all the right moments, her eyes remaining perfectly dry.


    She was already turning to fetch a clean te when Zahir stopped her.


    “Bonnie, there’s no need to trouble yourself,” Zahir said with a pleasant smile. “Who said we don’t like it? Anything you enjoy, we enjoy too.” He exchanged a pointed nce with Marsha, then served himself a portion of scrambled eggs with zhini and took a deliberate bite.


    .


    .


    .