Chapter 1321: Is There Something Dirty in the Chicken Soup?
As Pearl and Sam’s relationship improved significantly, Declan and Natalia’s relationship also saw some easing.
One morning, the servants saw Mrs. Natalia coming out of Mr. Declan’s room with a round face and messy hair, a clear sign that the two had reconciled.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.
At first, Pearl didn’t believe it until she saw her mother busy in the kitchen, an unusual sight.
She watched for a while, not wanting to disturb her. Just as she was about to turn and leave, Natalia called out to her.
“Pearl, wait a moment.”
“Mom… Mommy, do you need something from me?”
Pearl’s eyes were filled with hope and caution, wanting to get close but afraid of being rejected, a look that instantly touched Natalia’s heart.
Natalia smiled gently at Pearl. “It’s rare for me to cook today. Is there anything you want to eat?”
Wow! Mommy was asking her so kindly what she wanted to eat. Pearl almost thought she had misheard or that Natalia mistook her for Libby.
No matter what, she really liked this gentle and kind version of her mother.
“Can I? Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?”
Pearl was always a polite and grateful child. Whenever the servants made special soup for her, she would respond the same way.
For some reason, Natalia felt a pang of sadness. This was the daughter she had carried for nine months, yet they were so polite to each other, like strangers.
“No trouble at all. The first three months of pregnancy are crucial for nutrition. You’re too thin and need to eat well.”
Thin? Pearl instinctively pinched her somewhat chubby chin. She felt she had gained weight, but everyone said she was too thin.
Mommy said so, Daddy said so… even Sam told her to eat more.
“Thank you, Mommy. I’m not picky; I like anything you make.”
Pearl’s sweet words warmed Natalia’s heart. This was something that set her apart from Libby.
“Alright, I’ll make something simple. You go upstairs and rest. I’ll call you when the soup is ready.”
Pearl wanted to stay and help, hoping to spend more time with her mother and perhaps improve their relationship.
However, Natalia seemed to see through her thoughts and unceremoniously sent her out of the kitchen.
“You shouldn’t stand for long in your condition. Go back and rest. Besides, you’ve never cooked before; what help could you possibly be?”
Hearing this, Pearl knew she was being dismissed by her mother. She couldn’t cook, but she could make instant noodles!
“Hehe~ My classmates say my instant noodles are delicious and that I should set up a stall to make money.”
“Alright then, don’t tire yourself out. I’m not that hungry.”
“Okay.”
Watching Pearl leave, Natalia’s mind echoed with the soft words of the young girl.
“No wonder people say daughters are like little cotton-padded jackets for their parents; they are indeed very considerate.”
What a pity…
The chicken had been delivered that morning, cleaned and sterilized by someone else. It was ready to use right out of the package.
Natalia placed the whole chicken in a pot, adding ginger slices, green onions, and cooking wine to remove any unpleasant odors.
After blanching the chicken and washing it again, she started simmering it. Considering Pearl was pregnant and couldn’t have too many seasonings, she only added a bit of salt to the soup.
She also added some ingredients to boost energy: angelica root, red dates, and goji berries…
Soon, white bubbles appeared in the chicken soup, and as they burst, the aroma filled the entire kitchen.
Everyone was surprised. Natalia never cooked; they thought she didn’t know how. After all, wealthy ladies like her usually didn’t lift a finger in the kitchen.
But not only did she know how to cook, she was quite skilled at it, rivaling chefs from five-star hotels.
Natalia didn’t care what others thought of her. Once the chicken soup was ready, she poured two bowls.
The left bowl was for little Pearl, and the right bowl was for Declan.
Natalia hesitated for a long time. The packet of medicine was hidden in her palm. With no one else in the kitchen, it was the perfect opportunity.
She opened the packet and sprinkled the powder into the left bowl.
After cleaning up the counter and making sure there were no traces left behind, Natalia left the messy kitchen for the servants to clean up.
She carried the chicken soup upstairs.
Entering the room, she found Declan and Pearl together, saving her another trip.
“Pearl, Declan… time for chicken soup.”
Declan~
Pearl’s calling him Declan made him freeze momentarily, his body trembling slightly.
“You…”
Why are you calling me that?
Natalia pretended not to notice his excitement and walked over to them, each step heavy with past memories.
“What? Shouldn’t I call you that? Do you prefer I address you as Mr. Gilliam?”
That would make her no different from the servants at home.
Declan seemed to see the gentle and noble woman from years ago again; his eyes couldn’t help but moisten.
“Nothing, just call me that.”
He tried to act indifferent but his clumsy actions betrayed him. He either dropped his pen or bumped into the table corner, enduring the pain silently.
Pearl saw all this and couldn’t help but laugh softly.
It seemed everyone was right; Daddy and Mommy had reconciled. As their daughter, she felt happy for them.
If Daddy and Mommy were back together, could her dream of a reunited family be far off?
“Pearl, what are you laughing at? Drink your soup!”
Natalia playfully scolded her with a shy glance.
Pearl immediately apologized. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I was laughing at my baby.”
“This little one will surely be a foodie in the future; just smelling the chicken soup made it protest in my belly.”
This might fool an inexperienced man, but Natalia had given birth before and saw through her immediately.
“You silly girl, the baby isn’t even three months old; how could it move? It takes at least another three months.”
“Mommy, don’t expose me! The chicken soup smells so good; let me have a sip first.”
Seeing her greedy look, it was clear who the real foodie was.
Pearl casually picked up a bowl-the left one.
She had no guard as she scooped up a spoonful and opened her mouth to drink it when Natalia suddenly stepped forward and snatched it from her hand.
“Wait!”
“Huh? Mommy, what’s wrong…”
The chicken soup was taken away just as she was about to drink it; Pearl pouted unhappily.
The naturally suspicious man found Natalia’s overly unusual behavior today strange.
First cooking, then calling him by name, now snatching Pearl’s chicken soup.
Could there be something dirty in the chicken soup?