?Chapter 1426:


    She slid into her usual seat and pointed at herself. “This nutritionist is here for me?”


    William shot her a t look. “Do I look like I need one?”


    She nced him over—tall, lean, every muscle defined.


    Yeah… he wasn’t exactlycking in nutrition.


    Before the conversation could spiral, Karina stepped in with practiced timing. “I’ll head to the kitchen and assist the chef. Please continue.”


    The kitchen was massive, built to amodate more than a full team of staff.


    The chef worked efficiently, and in under ten minutes, the first course arrived.


    Braised eggnt, still steaming.


    Then came the second dish. And the third. All ted beautifully, all clearly made with strict health standards in mind.


    Ste picked up her fork… and then hesitated. Something about the table—though filled with dishes—made her stomach sink.


    Karina returned from the kitchen just in time to see Ste frozen in front of her te. “Ms. Russell?” she asked gently. “Don’t you like these dishes?”


    Ste looked up, a little caught off guard. Was she allowed to say that?


    She didn’t want to be rude, but not a single item matched her preferences.


    Even if she understood that nutritional meals came with strict rules… did every dish have to taste like it had a multivitamin mixed in?


    On top of that, none of the vors were familiar to her pte. Nothing she’d normally choose for herself.


    Karina noticed the flicker of hesitation in Ste’s eyes and offered a warm—but slightly patronizing—smile. “Ms. Russell, all of these dishes are beneficial for your health. You really shouldn’t be picky. Your body needs proper nutrients to stay strong and avoid getting sick.”


    Her tone, though polite, came off more like a lecture meant for a stubborn child. It rubbed Ste the wrong way.


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    She hadn’t even said she wouldn’t eat. She just… hadn’t found a single thing on the table that appealed to her. Out of a full spread, it was almost impressive how none of it suited her taste.


    William gave her a quick nce, his voice clipped. “If you’re not going to eat, then leave.”


    That hit her like a p.


    She hadn’t made a scene. She hadn’tined. And yet here he was, hiring a nutritionist, serving food she didn’t like, and then snapping when she didn’t pretend to enjoy it.


    Was this really about her health—or just another form of control?


    The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She ced her fork and knife down with a quiet clink, pushed back from the table, and walked upstairs without another word.


    Karina stood frozen, watching her retreat. Then she turned to William, a bit unsure. “Mr. Briggs… maybe we should ask Ms. Russell about her preferences first? I’ll be more careful next time.”


    She’d designed the menu based on general health standards. The added vitamins were exactly what someone with Ste’s condition was supposed to be eating.


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