Lincoln and Jules were still locked in their chess match, neither gaining an upper hand after several rounds. When Lincoln saw Nathalie step into the room, he paused the game with curiosity. "Vivian," he asked, "weren''t you busy in the kitchen? You''ve left Nathan alone in there, and he''s not exactly nimble. How''s he supposed to manage on his own? What''s up with that?"


    Jules, not impressed, chimed in, “Come on, Lincoln, what kind of dad are you being? Vivian''s a youngdy-delicate and all that. The kitchen''s no ce for her. You''re not nning on turning this little princess into some rough-and-tumble chef, are you?"


    Lincoln crossed his arms, a bit defensive. "Jules, I didn''t know you could be so sneaky. Do I really need you pretending to care about my daughter? Trying to stir up trouble between us?"


    Jules chuckled mischievously. "Sure, Vivian''s your daughter, but she''s my niece too. You know I''ve never married or had kids, which I regret. We''re like brothers, Lincoln, so isn''t your girl like my own?"


    Lincoln shook his head, clicking his tongue in disbelief.


    Jules leaned in, yful yet earnest, "Lincoln, you''re a smart guy, and Vivian''s got your brains and beauty. Here''s a thought I''d love to make her my goddaughter. What do you say?"


    Lincoln jumped up, pointing at Jules, simmering with anger. "Jules, I thought of you as a brother, and now you''re trying to take my daughter away? That''s low!"


    Jules grinned, "Hey, calm down! I''ve got Vincent Corporation, which is way richer than your Stewart Enterprise. If Vivian bes my goddaughter, she''ll have a stake in it when I''m gone."


    Lincoln''s eyes red with determination. "Oh, it''s on! I''ll work my tail off to one-up you. One day, my Vivian won''t have to lift a finger. She''ll just sit back and count her money."


    Julesughed heartily. "Lincoln, you haven''t changed-still as fiery andpetitive as ever."


    Nathalie watched the two old friends bicker, finding it amusing, and decided to stay out of it. Instead, she settled into a chair, lost in her own thoughts.


    Soon, the kitchen door swung open.


    Morris rolled in, bncing a tray of food on hisp like a pro, looking as intense as a hitman. The dishes gleamed like they were straight out of a chef''s dream.


    Nathalie quickly got up and met him halfway.


    She took the tray from him and set it on the


    kontable. Back and forthe


    velvet


    she


    until the table was


    overflowing with dishes. with dishes.


    Lincoln was taken aback. "Nathan, I had no idea you could cook like this!"


    Morris shot a tender nce at Nathalie.


    Lincoln nudged Jules to sit, grabbing a fork, and k, and then realized the spread


    t exactly his usual for Spread


    helongs to


    "Have I ever seen these dishes before?"


    Lincoln picked up a BBQ rib, frowning. "These look amazing, but they''re a bit too tough for me."


    Nathalie wheeled Morris over and sat beside him. Morris picked up a rib, cing it into Nathalie''s bowl.


    "Since Uncle can''t handle it, Nathalie, you should dig in."


    Nathalie lit up. "Awesome, ribs are my favorite!"


    Lincoln gave Morris a knowing look.


    "You sneaky devil, you made these ribs just for Vivian, didn''t you?"