Chapter 16

Adaline moved through the kitchen with practiced efficiency, checking each station as the clock ticked closer to service time. Everything had to be perfect for Justin's sister's homecoming.

As she approached the sauce station, a peculiar sensation prickled at her nose—something sharp and fiery in the air. Her instincts, honed through years in professional kitchens, immediately signaled that something was wrong.

"The main sauce doesn't seem right," she murmured, leaning over one of the large pots. The rich aroma she had carefully developed hours ago had been overtaken by something else—something aggressive and pungent.

Following her chef's instinct, Adaline took a small spoon and dipped it into the sauce, bringing a tiny sample to her lips. The moment it touched her tongue, her mouth erupted in flames. Her eyes widened in shock as the burning sensation spread across her palate, scorching her throat as she swallowed.

"Water!" she gasped, her voice barely audible as she doubled over, coughing violently. The two cooks at the station froze in panic, watching as their head chef struggled to breathe.

Just then, the kitchen doors swung open, and Justin walked in, his expression businesslike. "Adaline, I wanted to check if everything is nearly set for—" His words cut off abruptly as he took in the scene—Adaline bent over, face flushed, tears streaming from her eyes.

"What are you two standing here for?" he shouted at the stunned cooks. "Get her water now!"

The staff scrambled, someone rushing to grab a glass and fill it from the filtered tap. Justin strode quickly to Adaline's side, his hand coming to rest supportively on her back as she continued to cough.

"Here," he said, taking the glass from the returning staff member and holding it steady for her. Adaline drank desperately, the cool water providing only minimal relief against the intense burning.

When she finally could speak, her voice was raspy. "Something's wrong with the sauce." Her eyes were still watery, and Justin's concerned face swam before her.

The two cooks exchanged panicked glances. One of them cautiously tasted the sauce and immediately spat it out. "This is pure fire! There must be an entire jar of chili powder in here!"

"Who was watching these pots?" Justin demanded, his arm still supporting Adaline as she caught her breath.

The cooks looked at each other with dawning realization. "We were called away briefly," one admitted. "Someone said there were pizzas at the delivery entrance..."

"But there weren't any pizzas," the other added quickly. "When we came back, Melanie was—" He stopped suddenly, his eyes widening.

"Melanie?" Justin repeated, his voice dangerously low.

Adaline straightened, wiping her streaming eyes. "My mother," she said, her voice still rough from coughing. "She must have sabotaged the sauce while they were gone."

"Your mother framed us," one of the cooks said indignantly.

Adaline nodded, her throat still burning. "I'm ver sure she wanted everyone to think my food was rubbish. She's not a good enough cook to know that chefs taste food before serving." A bitter laugh escaped her lips, ending in another cough. "She just wanted to humiliate me in front of the guests."

Justin's expression darkened. "Your mother is still here? After what I heard happened earlier?"

One of the staff members stepped forward nervously. "Adaline decided to let her stay for tonight's event, sir. Under supervision."

"Clearly not enough supervision," Justin snapped. He turned to a tall, broad-shouldered man who had followed him into the kitchen—his personal bodyguard, Dante. "Find Melanie Waston and bring her here this instant."

As Dante nodded and left, Justin rounded on Adaline, his previous concern replaced by frustration. "What were you thinking, letting her stay? After she attacked you? After everything?"

Adaline flinched at his tone. "We were short-staffed, and I thought—"

"You thought wrong," Justin cut her off. "This is your fault. All of this. If you had just sent her away when you had the chance, we wouldn't be in this mess." He gestured to the ruined sauce, his voice rising. "My sister's homecoming party starts in less than an hour, and now we have no main course!"

The kitchen had gone silent, all eyes on the pair. Adaline stood frozen, her chest tight with hurt at Justin's words. Before she could respond, Dante returned, his expression grim.

"Sir, we can't find her," he reported. "It seems she's left the premises. Security at the gate says she claimed a family emergency and left nearly twenty minutes ago."

Another staff member hurried in from the service entrance. "We've searched everywhere, Mr. Westfield. Melanie is nowhere to be found in the mansion."

Justin ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Perfect. Just perfect."

Adaline stared at the ruined sauce, her mind racing despite the hurt from Justin's harsh words. She had been backed into corners before, had faced disasters in kitchens where improvisation was the only solution. This was no different.

"We still have time," she said finally, her voice stronger now. "We can fix this."

Justin looked at her skeptically. "How? That was the main sauce for three different dishes."

Adaline straightened her chef's jacket. "Trust me. I didn't become head chef by giving up when things go wrong." She turned to her staff, who were watching her with uncertainty. "Manuel, start a new base sauce—use the emergency stock in the pantry. Lisa, get me the herb garden clippings from this morning. Sam, pull the backup proteins from the cold room."

The kitchen sprang into action, and Adaline turned back to Justin. "I need you to give us space to work. This kitchen is about to move faster than you've ever seen."

Justin's expression was unreadable for a moment, somewhere between lingering anger and reluctant admiration. Finally, he nodded. "You have forty-five minutes. Make it happen."

As he turned to leave, Adaline called after him. "And Mister Justin?" He paused, looking back at her. "I'm sorry. You were right. I should never have let her stay."

His expression softened slightly. "Just fix this, Adaline".

Despite everything, a small smile tugged at the corner of Adaline's mouth. "Yes, sir."