Revenge is best served cold

Jonah tossed a trout onto the cutting board with a thud.

Sophie saw the fish and couldn't help but chuckle. "What's this? The Minton family run out of chefs?"

"We've got chefs, but none who can make trout soup."

"Can't make trout soup? What kind of chefs are those?"

"Ms. Sophie, I'll be back in half an hour. Thanks."

With that, Jonah left the kitchen without another word to Sophie.

Sophie stared at the trout on the board, feeling a bit exasperated for the first time.

After a while, Jonah returned, right on cue, and asked how the meal was coming. Sophie handed him the trout soup that had been simmering for twenty minutes. "For your boss. Drinking fish soup first thing in the morning? Watch out for nutrient overload."

"No trouble at all, Mrs. Costello," Jonah replied, his tone deliberately formal.

Jonah took the soup upstairs.

Upstairs, Odie glanced at the fish soup Jonah handed him. "What's this?"

"Ms. Sophie's fish soup."

"Sophie? Made soup just for me?" Odie looked at Jonah, clearly skeptical.

Since when was Sophie so thoughtful?

"Did she... make it for me herself?" Odie asked, still unsure.

Jonah didn't miss a beat. "Yes."

"Well, Sophie does have her moments." Odie didn't even notice the slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he took a sip. The delicious flavor spread quickly.

"It's alright, I guess."

"Right, I'll head out now," Jonah said, turning to leave.

But Odie stopped him. "Thank her for me. Tell her I appreciate it. But making fish soup is too much trouble. She doesn't need to cook for me anymore."noveldrama

"Got it."

As Jonah left the room, he ran into Sophie on the stairs.

"Did he drink the soup?" she asked.

"He did."

"What did he think?"

"The boss says thanks."

"Thanks? If he hadn't insisted on having me make soup, I wouldn't have bothered."

"Ms. Sophie, Mr. Colby might still be waiting for you in his room. You should head back."

Jonah was worried Odie might overhear.

From inside, Odie called out, "Jonah, let her in."

Reluctantly, Jonah stepped aside.

Sophie pushed the door open, spotting the fish soup in Odie's room.

At that moment, she was holding the breakfast she'd made for Colby.

Seeing the crystal shrimp dumplings in her hands, Odie tried to act nonchalant. "Actually, I'm not a big fan of seafood."

"So?"

"You don't have to make pies to thank me, but I appreciate the gesture."

Odie tapped the table lightly. "Put it here, I'll eat it later."

Sophie looked at the shrimp dumplings in her hands, suddenly amused. "Odie, who told you these were for you?"

"They're not?"

"These are for Colby. If you want some, ask the chef. Your chefs can't make trout soup; can they even make shrimp dumplings?"