Chapter 118: Chocolate Clue
Regardless, she had no problem enjoying the food herself.
She returned to the kitchen to continue making churros.
He appeared a few seconds later to take a glass for the juice. From the corners of his eyes, he noticed the woman shaping the dough into several long sticks in a practiced manner before placing them into the hot oil. Within seconds, golden logs floated to the top of the oil. They released a delicious smell that attacked his nostrils.
A hint of light flashed across his eyes.
He shifted his gaze downward. Beautiful cinnamon rolls with chocolate swirls were baking in the hot oven.
Her cheeks were tinted with a rosy pink because of the heat in the kitchen. Her skin was unquestionably beautiful. She did not have the defined sharp jawline that was favored by most social media influencers nowadays. Her slightly chubby cheeks made her appear youthful and adorable.
Charlotte noticed him staring and playfully picked up a churro, waving it in front of his eyes. "Ryan., are you sure you don’t want a taste of this?"
"Not interested."
He averted his gaze and poured the juice into the glass.
The juice in his mouth tasted blunt when he thought of the golden brown churros.
Right then, the woman reappeared from the kitchen and placed a whole feast in front of his eyes. Churros, cinnamon rolls and a cup of hot chocolate...
Ryan twitched his brows into a deep frown as she blinked innocently. "Ryan, you don’t mind me eating here, do you?"
He watched on silently as she began the show.
Her performance was better than he expected. "Please forgive me for having a sweet tooth. I really can’t control myself from having them . It would be a huge disappointment for my tastebuds if I don’t."
Then, she took a massive bite of the churros. She closed her eyes as a look of satisfaction washed over her face.
The flavor just bursts in your mouth. Mhmm, it’s so delicious."
He remained silent.
What a waste of talent that this woman did not pursue an acting career. How could he still stand there.
Ryan walked over and sat in front of Charlotte, extending his hand to grab a cinnamon roll. He took a bite, and the soft pastry melted in his mouth.
"How are they?" Charlotte asked.
"They’re edible.." Ryan replied nonchalantly.
As he was reaching for another roll.Charlotte winked playfully. "Didn’t you say it’s just alright?"
Ryan’s expression remained calm. "Surely you can’t finish all these. I don’t like wasting food."Just as Charlotte parted her lips to retaliate, Ryan interrupted with a frown. "Keep quiet during eating."
Charlotte gasped in astonishment, shocked by Ryan’s audacity. Moments ago, he claimed to have lost his taste for sweets, yet now he devoured churros, cinnamon rolls, and hot chocolate too..
Initially, Ryan intended to only sample Charlotte’s creations, but everything she made exceeded his expectations. Her culinary skills surprised him.
As he savored another bite, Charlotte turned to face him, their eyes meeting unexpectedly.
Ryan’s gaze locked onto hers.
"Looks like you’ve drained my hot chocolate," Charlotte said, a playful smile on her lips.
Ryan wiped his mouth, his expression nonchalant. "Make another one."
Charlotte’s gaze lingered on him, then returned to her churros, her crunching filling the silence.
Ryan broke the quiet. "You still haven’t taken the earrings."
"I don’t want them.." Charlotte replied, her tone straightforward.
"I’ll take you to the jeweler later, and you can select the earrings you like.." Ryan said.
Charlotte smiled slyly. "How generous of you, Young Master Harrington. I’m flattered you’d reward me with a gift for these humble treats."
"I’m off.." Charlotte said, gathering her belongings. "You can clean up the kitchen later."
Ryan’s eyes narrowed. "You used the kitchen, you clean it."Charlotte batted her eyelashes. "But I don’t know how."
"What do you know then?"
Charlotte’s grin was impish. "Only I know how to eat."
She giggled, then sashayed out of his apartment, leaving Ryan to shake his head.
Ryan strode into the kitchen, and his eyes widened in disbelief. The room was in shambles. Earlier, he hadn’t noticed the chaos, but now it was glaringly apparent.
He scowled, anger rising. How could Charlotte leave his kitchen in such a state?He swiftly pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Come to my apartment to collect the file.." he said curtly, before hanging up.
To himself, he muttered, "Next time, she’s not setting foot in my kitchen."
Ryan’s kitchen was a disaster. Flour coated every surface, including the countertops, sink, and stove. Sticky fingerprints smeared the cabinets, and the refrigerator wore a messy collage of takeout menus and scribbled notes.
Dishes piled high in the sink, alongside battered baking sheets and utensils caked with dried batter. Crumbs and spills littered the floor, tracing Charlotte’s hasty footsteps.
The kitchen table was a chaotic landscape of plates, napkins, and snack packets. Empty cups and soda cans formed a towering pyramid, while a lone, abandoned churro sat atop the mess, a sweet and guilty sentinel.
The air reeked of burnt sugar, fried dough, and the faint hint of chocolate. Ryan’s usually immaculate kitchen had been transformed into a culinary war zone, bearing testament to Charlotte’s joyful, reckless cooking spree.
Ryan booked the cleaning service, then collapsed onto the sofa, eyes shut.As he let out a deep breath, Charlotte’s face floated into his mind.
"She’s probably walking through her front door with a smug smile." he thought.
The mental picture of her, still radiating joy and satisfaction, brought a hint of a smile to Ryan’s lips.
Despite the kitchen chaos, he couldn’t help but be charmed by Charlotte’s unapologetic zest.
Ryan’s relaxation deepened, his thoughts lingering on Charlotte’s happy, guilt-free expression.
Charlotte walked into Wright Mansion and settled into the sofa.Grandma Agnes entered the room, a warm smile on her face. She sat beside Charlotte.
"Tired, dear?" Grandma Agnes asked.
"No, Grandma," Charlotte replied.
Grandma Agnes’s gaze settled on Charlotte’s hand, where chocolates peeked out from her fingers.
"Chocolate, dear?" Grandma Agnes asked, her brow raised.
She looked down, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. "I think I picked it up when I made hot chocolate."
"Grandma, I’m going to my room." Charlotte said, already standing up.
Grandma Agnes nodded, "Alright, dear. Get some rest."She hurried upstairs, her footsteps light and swift as she disappeared into her room.
