Chapter 241 Branden’s Cooking Skill
Initially, Catherine thought that Branden would be a terrible cook like Audrey. After all, considering the Duncans’ reputation, Branden probably didn’t even know the location of the kitchen of the Duncans’ since he was a child.
However, to Catherine’s surprise, not long after, a rich aroma wafted from the kitchen. It instantly aroused Catherine’s appetite.
She didn’t feel hungry before. Now, she caught a whiff of that aroma and immediately found herself struggling to suppress her hunger.
Though Catherine’s footsteps were barely audible, Branden still sensed them. He instinctively turned around and saw Catherine standing behind him.
Branden’s handsome face instantly softened, and his deep voice became more attractive as he asked, “What’s up?”
Catherine didn’t hesitate and bluntly stated her purpose. She said, “I’m hungry.”
He smiled and gently stared at Catherine with his dark eyes. “It’ll be ready in a moment. Go wait outside. It’s pretty smoky in here.”
Catherine considered offering to help, but now it seemed she wasn’t needed at all. Branden was true to his word. Catherine returned to her seat and messaged Ronin. She was preparing to play a game while waiting. Branden soon emerged with a plate of food.
“Come over and eat.”
Catherine approached the table with curiosity. There were meat and vegetarian dishes and a clear soup. The food emitted a rich aroma and looked very inviting.
Branden handed a fork to Catherine and raised an eyebrow in a gesture for her to dig in. Catherine didn’t hesitate and took a bite of the meat. The taste wasn’t mind -blowing, but it was definitely delicious.
It was a simple home-cooked meal that gave a warm feeling. After trying all the dishes, Catherine gave a high compliment. “Not bad.”
She then asked with curiosity, “Did you learn to cook?”
Noticing her curiosity, Branden replied, “I spent some time in a special training camp when I was a kid. I learned a little of everything there.”
His tone was casual, but Catherine, who had a similar experience, knew the hardships involved. At the age of thirteen, she had also been thrown into the most famous special training camp in Decrine by Vicente. It was practically a living hell.
Before entering, there were rigorous screenings, and it wasn’t easy to get in. They selected elites from all over the world, and the number of those who could enter didn’t exceed more than ten.
Moreover, no more than three people graduated each year from the special training camp. If one didn’t make it in five years, he would be advised to leave.
For the elites who managed to enter the special training camp, being advised to leave was the greatest shame. Moreover, it took at least two to three years to graduate.
Catherine was the only female graduate of the special training camp, and she held the record for the youngest graduate. She had officially graduated from the camp in just one year.
Even someone like Catherine couldn’t help but shiver when she thought of her days in the special training camp. It was truly a living hell, where life and death were trivial. Only the strongest people could walk out of there.
It was unexpected that Branden had also been to a special training camp. Typically, a prestigious family like the Duncans wouldn’t send their only heir to such a twisted place.
Losing an arm, breaking a leg, or going blind were common occurrences in there. It seemed that the patriarch of the Duncans was quite ruthless. He was willing to send Branden to such a place.
Catherine ate quickly. It was a habit she had developed through rigorous training. Soon, she finished the meal Branden had served her and declined his invitation for seconds.
Branden didn’t insist. Considering how cleanly Catherine had finished her plate, she had given Branden quite a compliment already.
Branden pointed toward the direction of the couch and looked at Catherine. He said, “You can sit there and relax.. I’ll get you some fruit.”
Catherine suspected that Branden really treated her like a pig. He made her rest right after eating and decided to offer her fruit.
Catherine expressed her disdain verbally. But in her heart, she appreciated Branden deeply. Catherine couldn’t deny that Branden did seem to understand her.
She leisurely walked over to the sofa. Then she sank her entire body into the soft leather sofa. As she waited for Branden to bring her some sliced fruit, she let her mind wander.
Early the next morning, Catherine opened her eyes groggily. Her brain started functioning normally after a brief moment of blankness.
She found herself in an unfamiliar room with a distinct decorating style. Then she instantly recognized where she was. She rolled out of bed and walked out of the room.
The living room was filled with a faint scent of milk, and she could hear the bubbling water coming from the kitchen. Watching the tall figure in the kitchen, Catherine leaned against the wall quietly. Her gaze was fixed on the scene.
Branden poured the boiled milk into a cup. As he turned around, he saw Catherine standing nearby. Her face was still swollen from sleep. Her eyes were bleary, which made her lack the usual coldness and indifference.
The golden sun streamed through the window. It illuminated the spacious and bright room and made Catherine appear dreamlike. She was quite attractive. Branden smiled warmly and stared at Catherine with his deep eyes.
“Good morning.”
Catherine instinctively nodded in response and then listened to his suggestion. “It will be a while before breakfast is ready. How about you get ready in the next room?”
“Okay.”
Catherine accepted his suggestion and walked to the adjacent room. Then she pressed the doorbell. The door opened quickly. A face that showed signs of staying up late appeared in front of Catherine.
Catherine frowned at Audrey’s tired appearance. “Did you stay up all night last night?”
“Not exactly,” Audrey replied. In truth, it was pretty close to staying up all night. She had barely slept at all last night. After saying that, Audrey pulled Catherine back into the room. With a thud, she slammed the door shut.
Then, the two of them sat face to face on the sofa. Audrey sat up straight. She stared at Catherine with a serious expression. Catherine slumped on the sofa. She looked relaxed and carefree. And she waited for Audrey to speak.
Seeing Audrey struggling and appearing as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t, Catherine grew tired of waiting and took the initiative to prompt her.
“If you have something to ask, go ahead.”
As soon as she got the permission she needed, Audrey felt as if a burden had been lifted from her heart.
“Kathy, how did you end up sleeping at Branden’s place? When I came back last night and tried to call you, I heard the phone ringing from across the hall, and then the door of his house swung open.
Audrey felt that even if she had ten more years, she wouldn’t forget the scene from last night. When the door opened, Branden’s tall and elegant figure suddenly appeared before her.
At that moment, Audrey was torn inside. She didn’t know how to ask. Branden was brilliant. He had seen through her thoughts in an instant. Then Branden explained the situation simply.
“Kathy forgot her keys, so she’s resting in the guest room now.”
It was then that Audrey realized that Catherine had called her earlier because she had forgotten her keys. However, knowing that Audrey was working and not wanting to disturb her, Catherine hadn’t informed her.
The call had been made four or five hours ago. As Audrey thought about it, her heart softened. She muttered softly, “Kathy is really careful.”
She was worried about Catherine. She felt that Catherine cared too much about others.
