The Heiress's Second Chance At Vengeance (Eliza) novel Chapter 565

565 A Taste That Lingers

“I told you, didn’t I? He’d come to you himself for soup,” Eliza said with a faint smile.

“So… this time I should make it properly?” Vivian asked nervously.

24

Finished

“Of course,” Eliza replied. “But don’t feed him too much. Leave him wanting more–that’s how you keep him hooked.”

“Leave him wanting…” Vivian repeated softly, as though savoring the phrase. Then her eyes brightened. “I understand. I know what to do.”

She hurried off to the kitchen.

In the guest room next door, Nolan had been waiting for Eliza. When she returned, the tension in his expression eased. “My Eliza… you really are a master of hearts.”

“Love is easy to see from the outside,” Eliza murmured. “But when it’s your own… clarity vanishes.”

Her gaze turned distant. She pitied Vivian–pitied how Wendy had turned her into a pawn. Without that shadow, she might have grown into a simple, lovely girl.

Meanwhile-

When the tray arrived in Cramer’s study, he frowned. “Just this much?”

“Miss Vivian said the ingredients were running low, sir. This was all she could prepare. She apologizes if it’s not enough.”

The maid kept her eyes lowered, her voice shaking. How dare Vivian serve Mr. Cullinan only a small bowl?

Cramer’s breath caught, irritation rising. Yet what could he do? If that was what Vivian claimed, he couldn’t very well order more.

Suppressing his displeasure, he lifted the spoon. The taste spread across his tongue, rich and familiar. Exactly as before. His furrowed brow eased.

Before he knew it, the bowl was empty.

But the small portion only sharpened his hunger. Dissatisfaction flickered in his eyes. “Tell her to prepare a few light dishes.”

The maid hesitated. “Sir… Miss Vivian has already retired for the night.”

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Chapter 565 A Taste That Lingers

“Retired? At this hour?” His frown deepened.

“Y–yes…”

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Finished

A cold weight pressed in his chest. Somehow, her absence unsettled him more than he liked to admit.

“Fine. Leave it.”

The maid whisked the empty bowl away, nearly tripping in her haste to escape the unreadable mood in the study.

In the hall, whispers stirred again.

“What is Mr. Cullinan thinking, suddenly wanting her to cook?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He’s making things hard on her. First he found fault, now he’s demanding more–clearly he’s still against her.”

“Exactly. She may be beautiful, but she’s Wendy’s gift. He’ll never accept her.”

A pointed cough silenced them. The secretary stood nearby, eyes sharp. “Mind your own duties. Mr. Cullinan’s household is not for you to gossip about.”

The maids ducked their heads quickly.

Upstairs, Cramer leaned back in his chair. His body was weak from the day’s collapse; his appetite was poor. Yet that small bowl of soup still lingered in his senses, frustrating in its scarcity.

“Mr. Cullinan,” his secretary said carefully, “we brought in some pastries you used to like. Would you care for a taste?”

“Mm.”

He accepted. They were adequate, filling his stomach but leaving no pleasure.

The secretary ventured cautiously, “Sir… could it be you’ve taken an interest in Miss Vivian?”

Cramer’s

gaze

lifted sharply. “You too? Asking me this?”

“I only mean–she was sent here by Mrs. Cullinan. You mustn’t place too much trust in her.”

“You’re overthinking,” Cramer replied coolly. “She’s just a woman. Nothing more.”

But later, when word reached Vivian that he had finished every drop of her soup and even asked for more, her heart soared. She rushed to share it with Eliza, clinging to her guidance as

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Chapter 565 A Taste That Lingers

though it were gospel.