She began guiding Aldrich in making dessert. Aldrich, venturing into the kitchen for the first time, felt somewhat flustered. However, seeing the handsome man striving to maintain his composure always made Maggie burst into laughter.
“We shouldn’t waste any remaining egg mixture; let’s save it in a clean container for making bite-sized treats.”
“Creating dessert requires pouring in love and stirring clockwise with care. It can be a relaxing process,” Maggie advised while rolling up Aldrich’s sleeves.
As she got closer to Aldrich’s tall frame, Maggie’s cheeks turned slightly rosy, and their wrists brushed unintentionally, creating an ambiguous atmosphere. Aldrich realized that Maggie was more charming than the dessert itself. Nervously, he took a step back and nearly knocked over a plate, but Maggie swiftly caught it.
“Even Aldrich can have clumsy moments!” she playfully remarked.
Maggie chuckled. When Aldrich met her gaze, his eyes seemed to be trying to read her, and she felt his radiant smile, making her cherry lips look particularly alluring. He wished he could kiss her to taste that sweetness.
Aldrich was taken aback by his own thoughts, realizing the increasing impact this woman had on him. With the help of Maggie, Aldrich successfully made a cake. They cut the cake, and Maggie playfully dipped her finger in the cream and tasted it. “Not bad!” she said, satisfied with the cake, even though she got cream on the corner of her mouth.
Aldrich, seeing Maggie’s happy mood, smiled absentmindedly and licked off the cream without even thinking.
Maggie was shocked by his action, and her whole body softened like the cake due to the sensation of Aldrich’s tongue.
Aldrich noticed Maggie’s reaction and smiled softly. The servants at the door reminded him to control his emotions.
Blushing, Maggie noticed there was still a lot of cake left and hoped to donate it to the orphanage.
Aldrich admired Maggie’s kindness and compassion, instructing the servants to pack the pastries for donation. He escorted Maggie to her bedroom and bid her good afternoon. Watching her close the door, he couldn’t help but wonder how such a kind and thrifty girl could succumb to vanity, max out her credit cards to buy designer handbags, not to mention the high costs of high-end entertainment venues. Maggie couldn’t possibly do such things.
It seemed there was more to the story, and Aldrich’s expression grew mysterious.
Sunlight streamed in beside the bed, and Maggie’s eyelids fluttered open. She sleepily glanced at the clock on the bedside table. Hunger gnawed at her stomach, and she realized she had been asleep all morning.
A maid pushed a luxurious dessert cart into the room, laden with a variety of tempting delicacies. The air was filled with irresistible aromas that immersed Maggie in their captivating scents. Seeing the delicious pastries, she drooled, and the golden crust glistened under the soft lighting.
Maggie turned to the maid, her wide eyes filled with curiosity, her face a mixture of surprise and anticipation.
“What is this?” she asked, her voice brimming with excitement and confusion.
The maid wore a warm smile and explained, “These are all special creations, meticulously crafted by our respected chef according to Aldrich’s requests, especially for you.”
Maggie couldn’t resist any longer and reached for an exquisite pastry, taking a careful bite. As the flavors burst on her tongue, her eyes widened in amazement. Each dish was like a symphony of tastes, a harmonious fusion of texture and flavor. She marveled at the creativity behind these culinary masterpieces.
One particular dessert caught her attention-a delicate white pudding. Curious, she scooped a spoonful into her mouth, and a wave of happiness flooded her senses. The cream melted on her tongue, and the delicate strands of chicken added an unexpectedly delightful depth of flavor. It was a dessert unlike anything she had ever tasted, surpassing the boundaries of culinary imagination.
Maggie was amazed by each dish, which proved Aldrich’s eagerness to please her. It was a meaningful gesture, a reminder that she was no longer alone in this world.
Maggie rarely experienced such nurturing care. The contrast between Aldrich’s devotion and her past relationship with Max couldn’t be ignored. She couldn’t help but compare the two men, and the differences were magnified by the taste explosions in her mouth.
With each bite, a rush of emotions welled up within her. Gratitude and desire were intertwined, and she yearned to build a connection she knew was impossible. The harsh reality of her humanity conflicting with Aldrich’s lycanthropy cast a shadow, making any romantic aspirations seem unattainable. Although she felt warmth in his actions, she couldn’t help but shake her head, reminding herself of the insurmountable gap between their worlds.
Deep in Aldrich’s study, he had a meeting with Charlie. To better understand Maggie, Aldrich urged Charlie to delve into her past and find answers to unravel the mystery surrounding her.
Aldrich sat behind the spacious oak desk, leaning forward, his gaze unwavering on Charlie. “What have you found, Charlie? Tell me about Maggie.”
Charlie cleared his throat and, with a furrowed brow, narrated his findings. “Aldrich, per your request, I investigated Maggie’s financial situation. Before her identity was stolen, her credit record was impeccable, with no missed payments. She even supported her former boyfriend, Max, and her best friend, Linda. That handbag belongs to her.”
“In reality, Max used Maggie’s credit card to make the purchase, attempting to leave a lasting impression on Linda.”
Listening, Aldrich’s expression softened somewhat, and a sense of empathy touched his heart. It was evident that Maggie had been manipulated, and her trust had been abused by the people she cared about. A protective instinct swept over him, igniting his determination to make things right.
Aldrich spoke with empathy, “Charlie, it seems Maggie has gone through a lot in the past. Max and Linda need to learn a lesson and understand the consequences of their actions. I trust you will handle this well and make sure they don’t take advantage of her generosity.”
Charlie’s eyes gleamed with loyalty. “Understood, Mr. Aldrich.”
Aldrich leaned back in his chair, contemplating the complexities of human relationships. He reexamined everything this woman had been through, determined to bridge the gap between their worlds.
Wolf cubs! Aldrich was reminded of Maggie’s suggestion once again…