?Chapter 287:


    After Hayley had finished assigning tasks, we headed to the farm behind the manor to gather ingredients. The farm was brimming with life, a vibrant array of livestock and fresh produce stretching as far as the eye could see.


    “You can find everything you need here,” Hayley said before she turned to leave.


    But something in her manner as she left made my skin crawl.


    She paused, her eyes locking on mine. “Makenna, I trust in your cooking skill,” she said, her tone oddly encouraging.


    Hayley being kind? Now that was suspicious.


    As I watched her retreating figure, a shiver ran down my spine.


    Alice muttered under her breath, her expression as frosty as her tone, “What’s up with Hayley?”


    “She’s up to something, that’s for sure,” I replied, frowning as I nced around at the other women. I quickly realized that Hayley’s words had put a target on my back. The looks I was getting from the others were anything but friendly.


    It was clear that Hayley had painted a bullseye on me, hoping to turn the others against me.


    I gritted my teeth. That snake was more cunning than I had given her credit for. Her gesture of making peace was just a facade.


    Noticing the simmering jealousy in the air, Alice swiftly pulled me away from the crowd.


    We escaped to a secluded vegetable garden, where the tension finally eased. Alice let out a sigh of relief, patting her chest.


    “Thank goodness we got away. Those women looked like they wanted to tear you apart!”


    I sighed, unwilling to waste any more energy on Hayley’s schemes. “Let’s not dwell on them. What do you want to cook?”


    Mσrε υpdαтes ιn Gαlnσνels.cσm


    Alice nced around, taking in the garden’s bounty. She seemed unsure, her eyes darting from one vegetable to another. “I don’t know, what do you think?”


    As I considered our options, my thoughts drifted to yton.


    I remembered how he favored mild vors, particrly his fondness for noodles and beef.


    A blush crept up my cheeks as I shyly admitted, “I’m thinking of making beef and tomato noodles.”


    “Let me guess,” Alice teased, a knowing smirk on her face. “That’s Prince yton’s favorite, isn’t it?”


    I didn’t give her the satisfaction of a direct answer, instead focusing on gathering vegetables while keeping the mood light.


    I spotted an especially brilliant tomato while I was making jokes. Just as I extended my hand to grab it, someone else grabbed it before I could.


    Makenna’s POV:


    I looked up suddenly and found myself face-to-face with Molly.


    A flicker of apology passed over Molly’s face when she saw me. She spoke softly. “I’m sorry, Miss Dunn. I didn’t realize it was you. Truly, I’m so sorry.” She then offered me the bright red tomato.


    I didn’t take it. Instead, I smiled, shaking my head as I politely declined her gesture. But deep down, I was wondering what game this woman was ying. With suspicion gnawing at me, I looked at Molly and asked quietly, “Molly, what brings you here?”


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