She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

Chapter 512 Arthur started with the cold dishes and appetizers. He used only organic ingredients, which he brought from home.

The vegetables, in particular, were either brought with the soil intact or freshly picked and immediately stored in the most advanced preservation refrigerators. They were as fresh as if they had just been harvested when taken out. Fresh fruits and vegetables only need simple preparation and seasoning. Arthur's technique was clean, swift, and efficient.

In just half an hour, he had finished making dishes such as cobb salad, bruschetta, ceviche, and poke salad. Nina assisted him, carrying each dish as it was finished and placing it on the dining table for the elders to taste. After finishing the cold dishes, Arthur began preparing smoothies and strained yogurt, keeping an eye on the stove and finding tto wash and chop items like sausage, bacon, ratatouille, beans, carrot sticks, cucumbers, and lemons.

As he cooked the strained yogurt, the subtle aroma of the yogurt mixed with the tangy scent of the ingredients, wafted through the air. It made everyone nibble on the appetizers while sniffing, their mouths watering in anticipation.

Arthur prepared the chicken and fish after preparing the strained yogurt and ingredients. These were brought from Donovan's Farmland and usually reserved for their restaurant or high-end hotels; they were unavailable in the market.

His method of preparing the chicken and fish was swift and gentle, ensuring they met their end without pain or even a single unsettling cry. The blood and scales from the chicken and fish fell neatly into the sink, never splattering, keeping the kitchen clean and tidy. At an average pace of cleaning one every 10 minutes, he first prepared two chickens, placing them into two soup pots the spring water he brought to make a chicken potpie. While waiting for the chickens to cook, he cleaned two fish thoroughly, leaving not a single scale behind, and cut them into neat, evenly-sized pieces. Considering the meal was for the elders, he thoughtfully removed the fat and separated the fish pieces with extra bones, arranging them on a separate plate. By the tthe fish was cut into pieces, the three chicken potpies were also ready, and he could slice them into pieces and prepare the dipping sauces.

Nina was watching eagerly, nearly drooling. As soon as the chicken potpie was done, she quickly served it. Arthur, meanwhile, began to prepare chicken soup.

Next cdishes like baked ratatouille, lasagna, tuna casserole, stuffed sausages, stuffed mushrooms, roast beef sliders, and more-all prepped by Arthur and served one after another. The elders couldn't help but drool as they watched. Someone mumbled, "We traveled all this way to see Arthur and didn't even have tfor breakfast. We're starving...

Just as Arthur brought over the tuna casserole, his sharp ears caught the comment. Smiling, he said, "Everyone, I just made the freshest dishes. Hurry and eat, or if you wait until everything is ready, many dishes will get cold." "That's true. These ingredients are premium; they must be enjoyed at their freshest to honor the sacrifice they've made, right?" the elder replied. Everyone loved hearing that.

A group of people quickly said, "Arthur, if you're tired, take a break. If you're hungry, eat first. You can make the next dish after you're full. We're not in a hurry." Arthur's eyes lit up as he heard that. "You're right! I don't have to wait until I'm done to eat. I can cook and eat at the stime." He quickly grabbed a bowl and said, "Everyone, please take a seat. Letserve you smushroom soup." He scooped them bowl by bowl, holding them with both hands and placing them in front of the elders.

The elders all watched his hands closely. Even though his hands were already clean, Arthur was still careful, ensuring his fingers didn't touch the bowl's rim or dip into the soup. They nodded in approval, thinking Arthur had paid attention to hygiene.

Additionally, when scooping the soup, every bowl was filled exactly to eight-tenths, without exception. The elders couldn't help but marvel at how many soup bowls he must have served to perfect such a skill. Plus, he kept the kitchen spotless while handling the ingredients, which impressed them even more.

Daand Niamh Lloyd felt for him and said, "Arthur, you've been driving and cooking for so long. You must be exhausted. Hurry up and cat; don't let yourself go hungry." Arthur replied earnestly, "It was Nina who drove here. I wasn't that tired on the way." Nina said, "Arthur drives too slowly, so I drove instead." Everyone was stunned, thinking Arthur was brave enough to let Nina drive. They didn't try to lecture Nina Instead, they nodded at Arthur and said, "Young people should drive slowly that's good. If your health allows, Arthur, you should drive yourself in the future, even if it's tiring." Arthur thought for a moment and understood their concern. With a smile, he reassured, "Don't worry, everyone. Nina is a great driver. She only drives fast when the roads are clear, the traffic is light, and the visibility is good. I feel very safe in her car." Everyone nodded in agreement. Despite how scary Nina's driving might seem, Arthur defended her wholeheartedly it was clear that his feelings for her were genuine.

Arthur smiled warmly and said, "Everyone, please dig in. Letknow if the dishes suit your taste, and if there's anything that could be better, 118 take it as a lesson to improve. The elders couldn't help but appreciate his eagerness to learn. They didn't hold back and immediately started eating.

"Delicious! Absolutely delicious!" Sstarted with the soup, others with the oatmeal, swent for the vegetables, and sbegan with the meat. But no matter what they ate, everyone unanimously exclaimed, "This is truly delicious!" "How is the food so tender?" "Why does the meat smell so fragrant?" "Why is this soup so fresh?" Even the Great-Grandpa, whose teeth were nearly all gone, said, "This cashew cheese melts in your mouth. No one can take it from me." Feeling embarrassed by the praise, Arthur said, "Thank you all for the encouragement. My dishes wouldn't even make it into the top four at home, and my family's restaurant rarely letscook." Everyone was shocked to hear, "My goodness, your cooking is this delicious, yet you're being criticized? You don't even get to cook at the restaurant? That's unbelievable. Your family is too much!" "Oh my gosh, you're being despised for cooking so well? You're not even qualified to cook in a restaurant? Isn't your family too much?" Arthur, you are too pitiful. Don't worry, your family doesn't know your worth, but we do..." "Oh, poor thing, eat more, don't let yourself go hungry..." Chapter 512 Arthur quickly explained. Its not that my family thinks my cooking is bad. It's just that there are so many talented cooks in my family that I have to settle for fifth place at least He continued. "The first place is my mom, second is my older brother, third is my dad, and fourth is my grandpa...

They were even more impressed, thinking he was so humble and considerate to praise his family despite his cooking talent

Nina held up the bowl of soup and offered it to Arthur. "Arthur, this om mushroom soup made with spring water is so delicious. Don't just watch others drink; you should have some, too." She then looked around at the table of elders. "Arthur spent two hours preparing this meal. Can we let him eat first before asking other questions?" Everyone quickly nodded in agreement. "Munchie is right; we didn't think it through. Hurry up and ear. We'll ask later after you've had your fill."

Next cthe enjoyable mealtime.

Although the Lloyd family was the wealthiest in Vredo City, with more money than they could ever spend they didn't have many rules at home. Especially when it cto meals, the main priority was always to eat happily. It had beca family-wide consensus.

Therefore, talking and making snoise while eating or slightly compromising on image and etiquette wasn't a big deal. After all, if wasn't a big they couldn't eat and drink to their heart's content despite having so much money, that would be a misfortune. Besides, everyone present was a close family who knew each other well, so there was no need to pretend to be elegant or noble.