Chapter 719: The Carefully Catering Aunt and Niece

Bernice couldn’t help but feel annoyed. It wasn’t just Ethan Hawthorne who was having a miserable holiday; she was in a foul mood, too. ’I’ll mention it to him later,’ she thought. ’Maybe we can find some time to visit Caelus Temple and wash away all this bad luck.’

"Don’t use that to cut the meat. The cutting boards and knives for raw and cooked food need to be kept separate. You have to pay attention to these things. Don’t bring your bad habits from the countryside here."

Bernice cut her off, displeased. Jacqueline Spann was using the board she’d just used for slicing ginger to cut the meat. Bernice used to be careless about such things herself, but she’d slowly changed after Ethan Hawthorne had corrected her several times. Jacqueline Spann’s face flushed, and she made a silent vow. ’I won’t make the same mistake again.’

’City people are so particular,’ she thought. ’There are so many rules for just cutting vegetables. They have several sets of cutting boards and knives—one for fruit, one for raw meat, one for cooked meat, and another for chopping bones. Even the plates and saucers have to come in matching sets.’ Over the past few days, she had eaten so many things she’d never tasted before and encountered a whole new world. Her desire to stay here permanently grew even stronger.

’I have to get Uncle Ethan to adopt me as his daughter. It doesn’t even matter if he marries Auntie or not.’

’I have to be on my best behavior. I need to make Uncle Ethan see me in a new light.’

"Auntie, let me make a cup of tea for Uncle Ethan and bring it to him."

After she finished cutting the meat, Jacqueline Spann volunteered for the task. She wanted to make her presence known to Ethan Hawthorne. Bernice, completely oblivious to her niece’s ulterior motives, was simply pleased, thinking the girl was being thoughtful and making her look good.

"Make him some black tea. Your Uncle Ethan only drinks black tea before a meal. It’s good for his stomach."

Jacqueline mentally filed that away: black tea before meals. She found the caddy of black tea, steeped a cup, and carried it carefully to the study. She knocked softly on the door. After a long moment, Ethan Hawthorne’s voice came from within. "Come in."

He had assumed it was Bernice, so he was surprised to see Jacqueline Spann. Frowning, he asked with clear displeasure, "Where is your aunt?"

"Auntie is cooking. She asked me to bring you some tea. She said it’s good for your stomach," Jacqueline Spann answered timidly, beads of sweat forming on the tip of her nose.

Ethan Hawthorne sized up Jacqueline Spann. She was rather plain and had an unsophisticated air about her. But she was clever and remarkably perceptive—not at all like a typical eleven-year-old. ’It must be due to her background,’ he mused.

"Leave it there."

Ethan Hawthorne pointed to his desk, clearly having no intention of speaking with her. Jacqueline Spann tiptoed closer and gently set the teacup down. When Ethan Hawthorne noticed her oil-stained apron, his mood soured instantly. In a low, stern voice, he said, "Get out. And don’t come in here again."

’I’ll have to talk to Bernice later,’ he thought. ’She needs to keep her niece in line and out of my study.’

Jacqueline’s heart hammered in her chest. She had no idea what she’d done wrong, but she didn’t dare ask. Mumbling a meek "yes," she cast a hurried glance at the desk as she turned to leave. Ethan Hawthorne’s hand was resting on a photo album. ’He must have been looking at it just now,’ she thought. ’Whose picture is it?’

’His parents? Or his siblings?’

Jacqueline didn’t dare stare, leaving after only a fleeting glance. Her heart sank with frustration. ’Why did Uncle Ethan suddenly get so angry? He seemed fine just a moment ago.’

But she wasn’t one to be discouraged. ’As long as they don’t send me away, I know I can win Ethan Hawthorne’s favor,’ she told herself. Giving herself a silent pep talk, Jacqueline Spann felt her confidence return and headed back to the kitchen to continue helping.

Bernice was completely unaware of what had transpired in the study. She had meticulously prepared lunch: Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, sweet and sour pork tenderloin, braised beltfish, sautéed greens with garlic, and a crucian carp and tofu soup. Four dishes and one soup—a perfect spread.

"I’m skipping lunch. I have to go out. And don’t make dinner for me tonight."

Ethan Hawthorne rushed downstairs, not even sparing a glance for the food on the table. He threw on his overcoat and walked out the door. The smile on Bernice’s face instantly froze, as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head. But she quickly forced another smile and replied with dutiful obedience.