Part 47

Julie Hampton stared at her son with a reddening face. The elderly woman seemed about to scold Gladwin but restrained herself due to embarrassment in front of her guests.

"At least appreciate Phoebe's effort because she took the trouble to cook for us," said his brother-in-law, who was also Abigail's father, in a firm tone.

"I never asked her to trouble herself by cooking for me," he replied, looking at his brother with a cold gaze. He then turned to Phoebe, half of his body turning towards her. "Or did you do all this because you need praise from me?" he asked, one eyebrow raised. The girl's eyes widened, her face turning red, either from embarrassment or anger at Gladwin's rude attitude.

Gladwin flipped his plate, spooning Phoebe's cooking onto it bit by bit. He ate quickly, finishing it in less than two minutes. "Done. Still, Flavia's cooking tastes better."

"Gladwin!" his mother scolded.

"Yes, Ma?" Gladwin looked at his mother with a sweet smile on his face.

"Behave politely."

"I