The moment the head chef pointed at Lin Xu, the entire hall turned to her.
Every whisper fell silent.
Every pair of eyes fixed on her.
Lin Xu slowly lifted her head, confusion flashing across her face.
Then—
A loud, shrill voice shattered the silence.
"So it was you!" Chu Ming shouted as she stood up so fast her chair nearly fell. "You were the one in charge of today's dishes, and yet nothing is ready? Have you no shame?!"
She pointed her trembling finger accusingly at Lin Xu, her voice laced with triumph and venom.
"Lady san entrusted you with this, and you ruined everything! So this is how you repay the Mo residence?!"
Lin Xu narrowed her eyes.
Before she could speak, Lady Fu slammed her fan onto the table, the sound echoing like a whip crack.
"Lady Lin Xu," she said coldly, "you were the one instructed to oversee the dishes today. Yet the food is not ready. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
The hall held its breath.
