Brian Carter's brows furrowed as he said, "Miss, what do you mean by this?"

Abigail Grant gave a gentle smile, looking completely harmless as she said, "It's nothing, I just want to eat a pear."

A scheme, this must be a scheme, surely sent by the Zhou family to make fun of him.

Brian Carter was furious. He had never been so angry before. You can insult my character, but you cannot insult my profession. You can plot to seize my family property, but you cannot kick me when I'm down.

This is outrageous!

Brian Carter suppressed his anger and glared at Abigail Grant: "Could it be that eating my food is scarier than being stabbed?"

In the blink of an eye, this bookish man, usually as gentle as a spring breeze, had turned into a wrathful guardian.

Abigail Grant was surprised. She had never seen such a moody scholar before. The guards at her side wanted to act, but she shot them a look with her beautiful eyes, signaling them not to act rashly. Then she smiled sweetly and said, "I've always loved cleanliness."

"And what else?"

"I'm a picky eater."

Brian Carter was shaking with rage. This was blatant provocation, absolutely blatant provocation. Do you think the Qin family has no one? Loving cleanliness—wasn't that slandering the food at Ruchun Restaurant? Saying you're a picky eater—wasn't that just saying the food wasn't good? You haven't even tasted it, yet you make such a judgment. If that's not picking a fight, what is? Zhou family, this isn't over!

Without another word, Brian Carter grabbed Abigail Grant's wrist. He used considerable force, leaving a faint mark on her snow-white, delicate wrist.

No one expected Brian Carter would dare to act violently. He seized Abigail Grant's pulse point in an instant. Several guards reached for their swords, but hesitated for fear of Abigail Grant's safety, leaving them at a loss.

Abigail Grant cried out in pain, "Aiyo!" Just as she was about to fight back, Brian Carter dragged her along, fuming, "What grudge do I have with you? Why must you slander the reputation of Ruchun Restaurant? You think the food is dirty? Then I'll let you see the kitchen with your own eyes—where is it dirty? If you say it's inedible, then see for yourself what real delicacies are..."

He dragged Abigail Grant straight toward the kitchen.

Abigail Grant stumbled, both embarrassed and angry. She twisted her calf, and tears sprang to her eyes from the pain. Biting her red lips, she said, "I twisted my ankle."

Brian Carter burst out laughing: "Ha! Demons and monsters, do you think I can't see through your tricks? Enough nonsense! Since you've ruined my restaurant's reputation, you've insulted my honor and virtue. If I don't open your eyes today, I'll write my surname Qin backwards!"

Brian Carter dragged Abigail Grant directly into the kitchen, with several guards hurrying after them.

Inside the kitchen, David Carter heard the commotion and, seeing what was happening, exclaimed in shock, "Cousin..."

Brian Carter was in a mood, not caring even if the King of Heaven himself showed up. He resumed his wild demeanor and said in a tone that brooked no argument, "Help out. Heat the wok."

David Carter clicked his tongue and hurried to add firewood.

The kitchen was small and couldn't hold many people. The guards couldn't get in, but Brian Carter still held onto Abigail Grant, speaking to her in a commanding tone: "Customer, what would you like to eat?"

Abigail Grant was still in shock, her pretty face flushed, panting heavily through her nose. She had grown up in the prime minister's mansion, enjoying every luxury. Later, after her father was convicted, she was sent to the palace, but with Wu Zetian's protection, she had always been above others. When had she ever been treated like this? Yet this "bookworm" before her neither treated her as a high-ranking official nor showed any pity. He was both hateful and intimidating.

She was somewhat overawed by Brian Carter's presence, but forced herself to stay calm and said, "I... I don't know..."

"Very well, if you don't know, then you'll eat whatever I make." Brian Carter ignored her and called to David Carter, "Knife!"

David Carter grabbed a kitchen knife and tossed it toward Brian Carter. This was a skill Brian Carter had taught him. Brian Carter reached up into the air, and the knife landed steadily in his hand.

The guards outside had wanted to rush in and subdue Brian Carter, but were startled by this display. Abigail Grant was very close to Brian Carter; if they charged in and provoked him, who could guarantee he wouldn't lash out with the knife in desperation?

So the guards didn't move, all frozen in place.

At this moment, Brian Carter said, "Cabbage."

Fresh cabbage was tossed over. Brian Carter slapped it in midair with the flat of the knife, and with a smack, the cabbage landed right on the chopping board. He was now completely absorbed, determined to prove himself. As soon as the cabbage hit the board, the knife in his hand began to move.

Cabbage, which in later times would be called Chinese cabbage, was handled by Brian Carter by cutting off the root and keeping only the leaves, which he sliced into long strips.

Chop chop chop chop chop chop...

The sound was rapid and rhythmic. In his hands, chopping vegetables became a pure art form.

Even Abigail Grant, who had been so indignant just moments before, couldn't help but be captivated. She had seen imperial chefs at work—indeed, she had organized many palace banquets herself and knew quality when she saw it. The best chefs in the palace were certainly skilled with a knife, but even they might not reach the artistic heights of Brian Carter, who wielded his knife as if painting with bold strokes.