Chapter 471
Jenna coughed subtly, trying to make her suggestion sound as casual as possible. “It’s just, you know, about adding each other on social media to get to know one another.”
Mirabella gave her a look that danced between amusement and annoyance.
“My cousin is in IT, a real tech wizard. In college, his team took home the gold in an international coding competition. I’m telling you, he’s really something…”
Mirabella rubbed her temples and, with an upward swipe of her hand, cut Jenna off mid–gush. “Honey, if you’re that obsessed with acing tests, I’ve got an extra box of flashcards you can have.”
Jenna’s voice halted abruptly at that. Mirabella was the devil incarnate.
Finally, peace returned to Mirabella’s ears, and she lowered her gaze, returning to her writing.
After school, Vincent made his way back to the Mendoza Estate. He relayed to his grandfather, Knox, Mirabella’s exact response to the invitation he had given her earlier that day. Knox stroked his chin thoughtfully and then pulled out his cellphone to make a call.
Vincent sat quietly to the side, watching his grandfather speak with courteous ease on the phone, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.
Before long, Knox hung up and turned to his grandson. “Those new recipes I taught you a while back. Have you mastered them yet?”
Vincent met Knox’s gaze and nodded slightly. “Pretty much, yeah.”
“Good,” Knox said. “You’ll be in charge of the main table’s meal tomorrow night.”
Vincent blinked in surprise. “Grandpa, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
He understood the gravity of the guests coming over the next evening. It wasn’t a question of his culinary skills, but these high–stakes social gatherings were still a bit out of his league. He’d rather spend that time hitting the books.
“Nonsense, Knox said with gravitas. “It’ll be good for you to meet some influential people–it will do wonders for your future.”
Vincent’s cool, collected expression faltered. “Grandpa, mingling isn’t exactly my forte. Maybe we should pass.”
Knox shot him a look of exasperated affection, his frustration evident. Every time he tried to pave the way for his grandson, Vincent resisted. It was infuriating. Taking a deep breath, Knox shifted the conversation. “You’re tight with Mirabella, aren’t you?”
Vincent hesitated, then replied, “We’re alright, yeah.”
Knox’s eyes twinkled with a plan. “Mirabella is a gifted kid. I’m considering taking her as my protégé. You guys are classmates. You’re both young–you can talk to her and convey my intentions.”
After a pause, Knox added, “And you can impress upon her that being mentored by the Mendoza family will mean no one in Ashford would dare cross her.” She already had James, but well, more friends meant more connections.
Vincent’s mouth twitched in mild annoyance, his hand instinctively going to his temple. “Grandpa, I really think you should abandon the idea of taking Mirabella as your apprentice.”
Knox’s brows knitted together. “Why? Do you have any idea how rare it is to find someone with an exceptional palate who also understands pharmacology?”
“She’s a young girl, and you want her to work as a cook? Do you really think that’s appropriate?”
Knox bristled at that. “Cook? She’d be a culinary herbalist. You know how prestigious that position was in ancient times?”
“But this is the modern era,” Vincent couldn’t help but point out.
Knox slammed his hand down on the nearby table, exasperated. “Are you arguing for the sake of it? You’re always contradicting me!”
