Chapter 135
Haynes paused for a moment, “With so many types of cakes out there, why did you specifically choose a nut cake?”
Stella met Haynes’ gaze directly. “So what? Are you insinuating that I deliberately wanted to harm Keen?”
“You wouldn’t order that kind of cake,” Haynes said, his eyes searching hers deeply. “If I’m not mistaken, Marvin was the one who ordered it, wasn’t he?”
Stella hesitated for a moment before understanding Haynes’ implication.
Instead of getting angry, she chuckled, “Marvin saved your child just yesterday, and today you’re accusing him of deliberately triggering Keen’s allergy… Haynes, do you even hear yourself?”
Haynes furrowed his brow, “Appearances can be deceiving. He often bullies Keen behind the scenes. Keen’s suffered because of him more than once.”
There was a glint of mocking disdain in Stella’s eyes.
“Are you trying to say that Rachel’s innocent, and it’s a five-year-old who’s more deviously clever than a twenty-year-old adult?”
Stella continued with a sneer, “Haynes, would you say something so ridiculous in front of strangers?”
Haynes fell silent.
Stella smirked with disdain.
Ridiculous statements like that, they only dared to say them to her.
Stella pulled her hand away from Haynes in disgust, “As for why I confronted Rachel earlier, perhaps you should ask your ‘perfect angel’ why she thought it was a good idea to make seafood chowder for Keen, knowing he’s been unwell and just had his stomach pumped yesterday.”
Seafood chowder?
Haynes glanced at the spilled chowder on the floor.
The chowder looked plain, like any ordinary white chowder.
“Stella, are you sure?”
Stella was utterly sick of having to prove herself every time she was doubted.
She replied coldly, “I cook every day, so I’m very sensitive to smells. The seafood aroma in this chowder is faint, but it didn’t escape my nose.”
“If you don’t believe me, you can have it tested to see if it contains any seafood.”
Rachel’s face turned pale at those words.
“Haynie, I’m sorry, there is… a bit of seafood in the chowder…”
Haynes looked at her in disbelief, “You actually added seafood?”
Rachel hadn’t wanted to admit it, but she knew if Stella insisted and it was found that the chowder contained seafood, it would be undeniable proof of her ill intentions.
It was better to admit it now and try to find another excuse.
With tears in her eyes, Rachel said, “I found some recipes online yesterday. They said adding a bit of seafood enhances the flavor, so… I added some. I’m sorry, I was ignorant.”
Stella’s smile was all ice. “Ignorant? Even grade-schoolers know patients shouldn’t eat raw, spicy, or seafood.” A pause, her head tilting. “Or is Ms. Pearce less informed than a ten-year-old?”
Rachel lowered her head, tears falling, “I thought… I thought adding just a little wouldn’t matter…”
Stella let out a humorless laugh, “Before, you knew Keen was lactose intolerant, yet you didn’t consider his health and let him have a ‘little bit.””
“Now, with his weak stomach, you make him seafood chowder and still say a ‘little bit’ won’t matter.”
“Keen loves sweets, and you could say he pestered you into giving them to him, but he doesn’t even like seafood.”
Pausing for effect, Stella’s eyes hardened.
“Rachel, what was your real intention in secretly adding seafood?!”