?Chapter 293:


    Her response only made the situation more awkward, painting me as the one who was trying to steal the credit. The atmosphere thickened with unease.


    At that moment, Hayley, who had been standing nearby, decided to chime in. With a smile that barely masked the sharpness in her tone, she remarked, “I’m not sure about Miss Dunn’s cooking skills, but Molly has been proficient in the kitchen since she was a child. It’s been her dream to be an excellent cook.”


    Hayley’s words seemed to lend Molly an unassable credibility, making it difficult for anyone to doubt her. Just as I was feeling cornered, a familiar, delicate voice cut through the tension.


    “Your Majesty, I never knew my sister could cook.”


    “Yes, Your Majesty. Makenna has never been able to cook.” Frank’s voice rang out, clear and gloating.


    I followed the sound and saw Jessica and Frank seated at a table in the corner, both looking at me with smug satisfaction.


    They were seated in a section reserved for junior officials and their spouses, a ce I hadn’t noticed initially.


    But their timing, as always, was impable—ready to kick me when I was down.


    Leonardo’s frown deepened as he turned his displeased gaze on me.


    Clearly, he was beginning to believe that I had falsely imed the credit.


    Just when I felt the weight of the situation pressing down on me, yton’s gentle voice cut through the tension, breaking the awkward silence.


    “Father, I saw Makenna ce the bowl of noodles on the left.”


    yton’s words stunned me. I couldn’t believe he was standing up for me.


    I looked at him in astonishment, and he blinked at me reassuringly. There was no trace of me in his warm, golden eyes.


    A wave of relief and warmth spread through me.


    Before I could respond, Alice jumped in, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, now you want to apologize? We don’t need it!”


    Molly pouted, clearly hurt, but before she could say more, Hayley swooped in, trying to mediate.


    “Miss Dunn, it was just a misunderstanding. Why are you being so harsh?” Hayley’s smile was tight, her tone sharp as she tried to save face for Molly.


    I met their gaze with a cool detachment. Instead of epting the apology, I asked directly, “Can you exin why you also made beef and tomato noodles?”


    Molly blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting the question. After a moment’s hesitation, she opened her mouth to answer, but I cut her off.


    “Was it because you knew Prince yton liked it, or had you somehow learned I was nning to make it?” My voice remained calm, but my eyes bored into hers with an intensity that left no room for evasion.


    Makenna’s POV:


    Under my probing, Molly’s eyes flickered briefly before she regained her usualposure.


    She shook her head slightly, a bitter smile ying on her lips. “Miss Dunn, you are mistaken. It is purely coincidence,” she said, her voice calm.


    But despite her words, I could tell that Molly’s fleeting reaction had already confirmed my suspicion.


    Whether she had prepared the noodles to suit yton’s pte or was deliberately trying to mimic me, her intentions were far from innocent.


    Indeed, anyone bold enough to approach me with evidence against the Harrison family could not be as simple as she appeared.


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