Chapter 9 Didn't Get Along with Family
Realizing she was thinking about that jerk again, Xandra quickly shook it off and moved behind Frederick to tie his apron strings.
"Need any help?" she asked.
"Can you wash rice?" Frederick's voice was deep and magnetic, but it always made Xandra feel like he was subtly mocking her clumsiness.
Don't get angry, don't get angry!
She really was a novice in the kitchen. Time to face the facts.
Xandra took a deep breath and replied softly, "Yeah, I can."
Frederick paused his meat washing and looked up at her, surprised. He had expected her to snap back, but she was surprisingly calm.
Xandra picked up a bag of long-grain rice and, remembering the lunch, asked, "You haven't told me how much the lunch cost."
Frederick didn't answer, instead he asked, "Didn't I give you half a million dollars? If you can't cook, why not order takeout for the kids?"
Xandra's hand paused slightly, and she said quietly, "The money has to be spent wisely."
She was no longer the wealthy heiress who could spend money frivolously. She had three kids to raise and her mother's medical bills to pay. Every dollar had to be used carefully.
Frederick glanced sideways at her, watching her long eyelashes tremble lightly, like two soft brushes gently sweeping over his heart.
"Lunch didn't cost anything. It's on my boss's tab. From now on, I'll give you four thousand dollars a month for living expenses. Buy whatever you need, don't skimp on the kids."
Xandra paused as she turned on the faucet, a hint of confusion flashing in her pretty eyes.
This Raymond had already paid half a million dollars as a bride price, and now he wanted to give her four thousand dollars a month for living expenses!
There's no such thing as a free lunch. He was handsome, didn't mind she has three kids, and now wantedto give her living expenses!
Why did she feel so uneasy? Like she was being fattened up, waiting to be sent to the slaughterhouse!
"No need, I can earn money to support the kids myself."
"Support the kids? With your terrible cooking? They'll end up malnourished, and people will say their stepfather abused them."
Frederick placed the cleaned meat on the cutting board, his tone light but mocking.
Xandra's cheeks burned, wishing she could disappear into the ground.
"That's not what I meant. I just think we're not really related—"
"Not related?" Frederick's gaze locked onto her. "Xandra, have you forgotten we're already married?"
One sentence left her speechless. Technically, yes, but their marriage was far from normal!
"Xandra, the living expenses are for the kids, not you. They're adorable. Just consider it as me helping them."
Xandra was silent. Okay, Raymond might have a sharp tongue, but he seemed pretty kind-hearted so far.
She'd remember his kindness and repay him when she could.
She didn't argue further, poured the washed rice into the rice cooker, and plugged it in. Turning around, she watched him skillfully slice the meat, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
You can tell if someone can cook by how they handle a knife. This Raymond didn't seem like someone who couldn't cook!
"There's cod in the fridge. Do the kids like it? If they do, I'll make baked cod, it's nutritious."
Frederick saw her spacing out and gently reminded her.
Xandra snapped back and said, "The kids are allergic to cod, they can't eat it."
A couple of years ago, the kids had a reaction to cod, breaking out in rashes, which had scared her.
Frederick paused, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"They're allergic to cod too?"
"Yeah."
Xandra heard the word "too" and curiously asked, "Is someone else allergic to cod?"
"My grandfather."
"What a coincidence."
Xandra asked casually, "Are your grandfather and parents not in Seaside City?"
Frederick's slicing paused, he responded quietly, not wanting to elaborate.
Xandra blinked, wondering if it was her imagination, but Frederick's aura seemed a bit cold just now.
Why? Could it be that he didn't have a good relationship with his family?
The kitchen fell silent for a moment as Frederick soaked the sliced meat in cornstarch water.
Xandra stood by and watched, "Anything else you need help with?"
"Can you wash vegetables? If so, wash them."
His tone was like instructing a child who didn't know how to do chores.
"I'm not that clueless." Xandra couldn't help but mutter.
Frederick's lips curved in a half-smile, "Wash them thoroughly, I don't want to be fighting the kids for the bathroom at midnight."
Xandra was silent.
The kids must have told him about the dirty salad they had for lunch!
So embarrassing!
She swore to learn how to cook and impress them!
She hadn't expected Frederick to actually cook. And the food looked and smelled amazing.
In just half an hour, he made six dishes and a soup: pan-seared steak, fajitas, roasted potatoes with green beans, grilled corn, salad... and a pot of tomato seafood chowder.
"Time was tight, so I just made a few homestyle dishes. Everyone, dig in," Frederick said calmly.
"Wow, smells so good."
"Yeah, looks delicious."
Elizabeth and Margaret's eyes sparkled.
"Is it just pretty?"
Charles's little face remained calm, not forgetting to dampen the mood.
Frederick raised an eyebrow and served him some soup.
"Try it and see for yourself."
Charles took a spoonful of soup, his big eyes lighting up instantly. The soup was tangy and sweet with a rich seafood flavor, surprisingly good!
"Happy with it?" Frederick asked.
"It's alright."
Charles mumbled, but took another sip.
Just alright? He'd already had several sips!
Such a stubborn little guy.
Frederick's lips curved slightly, not calling out his tough act.
"Mr. Flores's soup is so good!"
"Yeah, Mr. Flores is a great cook!"
Elizabeth and Margaret praised generously.
Frederick's eyes flashed with a smile, serving Elizabeth and Margaret some food before starting to eat himself.
Frederick ate with such grace and manners, like he came from a long-standing family.
Xandra couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
This Frederick, handsome, can cook, and has a kind heart. Aside from his sharp tongue and aloofness, she hadn't found any other flaws yet.
Such a man, quite a catch, why did he marry her so quickly?
She couldn't figure it out, really couldn't!
"Knowing I'm handsome doesn't mean you have to stare at me all the time."
Out of the blue, Frederick teased her leisurely.
Xandra snapped back, realizing she'd been staring at him, her cheeks heating up.
"No, I'm just curious how you can make such delicious food."
Frederick paused, his thin lips parting lightly, "Raised in poverty, unloved by my parents—I learned to cook myself."