Liza’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she thought, It would be such a shame if I couldn’t try this food! Gavin glanced at her, a faint smirk playing on his lips as his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “Mm,” he murmured in agreement. Excited, Liza rushed upstairs to change, leaving Gavin in the kitchen. He opened the fridge, carefully selecting the fresh ingredients delivered daily to Longwan Residential. Everything was top-quality and required only a quick rinse to prepare. As he laid out the ingredients, Gavin unlocked his phone and began browsing recipes. The dishes Liza had requested appeared slightly complex, but he was undeterred. After all, he was a master strategist in the business world, adept at untangling intricate schemes and executing flawless plans. Cooking? That was a challenge he could handle. Confidently, he followed the recipe step-by-step, moving efficiently around the kitchen.Meanwhile, Liza descended the stairs in a soft nightgown, her curiosity piqued by the delicious aromas wafting through the air. The moment she saw the table, her eyes widened in admiration. The dishes were presented impeccably, each plate looking as though it belonged in a high-end restaurant. “Gavin! You’re incredible!” she exclaimed, her excitement spilling over. Remaining calm, Gavin focused on plating the final dish, his demeanor cool and composed. Unable to contain her excitement, Liza leaned in and planted a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth before eagerly grabbing a piece of the braised pork. Her confidence faltered the moment the food hit her tongue. The smile on her face froze, her expression turning awkward as she slowly set her chopsticks down. She stared at the plate of braised pork, its glossy appearance deceptively appetizing. Then she turned to Gavin, disbelief etched across her face.Was this a joke? Her hand trembled slightly as she picked up another piece of meat, hoping the first bite had been a fluke. But no—this bite was just as bad. The flavor was overwhelming, the seasoning off, and the texture… well, let’s just say it wasn’t what she had imagined. Quickly grabbing a glass of water, Liza washed the strange taste out of her mouth, her thoughts racing. Before she could say anything, Gavin’s voice cut through her panic. “Mrs. Liza, are you saying my food isn’t good?” he asked, his tone deliberately slow, almost teasing. Liza hesitated, her brows furrowing. “Gavin… your cooking skills…” “This is my first time cooking for someone,” he interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you go easy on me, Mrs. Liza? Or perhaps you’d like to lose your privilege of kissing me. If I’m unhappy, I might not let you kiss me anymore.” Liza almost choked, a wave of disbelief washing over her. Did he just threaten me? Her mind reeled. If she told him the food was terrible, he would undoubtedly hold a grudge. Knowing Gavin, he’d follow through on his threat. That would mean no more kisses, which also meant she’d lose her ability to taste again. But this dish… She swallowed hard, steeling herself. Forcing a bright, sincere smile onto her face, she exclaimed, “Delicious! I never expected you to be this talented on your first try! You’re truly amazing!” Gavin’s lips curved into a smirk. “Are you sure about that?” “Of course!” she said without hesitation, nodding fervently. “Then you should eat more, shouldn’t you?” he added slyly. Liza froze. This devil! He planned this from the beginning! Resigning herself, she sighed internally. Her ability to taste was fading again anyway, so enduring a few more bites wouldn’t kill her. As long as Gavin was happy, she could tolerate it. Just as she picked up another piece of the questionable braised pork, Gavin’s voice dropped an octave. “Mrs. Liza,” he said smoothly, “as a token of my appreciation for your kind words, I’ve decided to reward you.” Before she could process his words, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was soft and fleeting, but it carried a surprising effect—her sense of taste returned instantly. Liza’s eyes widened in horror as she chewed the piece of meat still in her mouth. The flavors, once dull, now exploded on her tongue in all their chaotic glory. Damn it! she thought, utterly defeated. Gavin leaned back, his expression calm but his eyes glinting with mischief. This man is a menace! Liza forced herself to swallow the unpleasant bite of food, stifling the overwhelming urge to gag. She managed a strained smile as she continued to pick at the food, carefully choosing only a few dishes to nibble on when necessary. Gavin’s voice interrupted her thoughts, low and teasing. “Mrs. Liza, I feel like kissing you again.” Liza froze. How could a man be this shameless? She stared at him, exasperated. With a man like Gavin, refusal wasn’t an option. She knew his vengeful nature all too well—if she dared say no, he would undoubtedly hold it against her and refuse to let her kiss him again. The thought made her heart sink. She could only look at him helplessly, tears threatening to spill but never quite falling. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, breaking the tension. Confused, Liza glanced toward the door, only to hear a familiar, soft voice calling out, “Brother Gavin, it’s me.”Her head snapped up in disbelief. Audrey hasn’t left yet?! Outside, rain poured heavily. Audrey stood at the gate, her frail figure shivering in the cold. Her voice trembled as she pleaded, “Brother Gavin, it’s raining so hard. Can you let me in? Just for a little while?” Gavin raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he tapped a button on his phone, and the gate creaked open. Liza’s jaw dropped as Audrey walked in, drenched from head to toe. Her soaked dress clung to her body, accentuating every curve, leaving little to the imagination. Even the faint outline of her undergarments was visible through the wet fabric. Liza’s expression darkened. Did he seriously let her in? Gavin, unfazed, asked casually, “Miss Audrey, you haven’t had dinner yet, have you?” Audrey’s face lit up with delight. “No, I haven’t. Can I stay for dinner?”He nodded. “I cooked the meal myself. Have a taste.” Liza turned her head away, unable to hold back her laughter. Her shoulders shook as she stifled the sound, letting Audrey interpret her reaction however she wished. Audrey, however, mistook Liza’s trembling for suppressed sobs. Her lips curled in satisfaction as she thought, She must be devastated to see Brother Gavin care about me. This is just the beginning. Soon, I’ll replace her. Confidently, Audrey picked up her chopsticks and took a generous bite of the food Gavin had prepared. The moment the flavor hit her taste buds, her smug smile vanished. Her entire face went pale, and her body stiffened. Gavin, as calm and composed as ever, turned to Audrey. “How is it? Do you like my cooking?” Audrey froze, unsure how to respond without offending him. With great effort, she forced a weak smile, her mind racing to find a way out of this culinary nightmare.