Chapter 353: My Heart Yearns For Philippe

April lowered her phone, slipping it back into her purse before turning back to face the three predators standing in the suite.

Xavier had stepped closer, his eyes fixed squarely on the faint, rose-tinted marks peeking beneath her emerald collar. His jaw was set in a rigid line, his raspy voice dropping into a low, dangerous register as he spoke, ignoring Nat and Alexander entirely.

"You look breathtaking, April," Xavier murmured, his gaze shifting up to her flushed face, a quiet, possessive intensity burning beneath his dark eyes. "Though it seems certain animals lack the refinement to treat a delicate creature with proper care."

"Watch your mouth, you saintly prick," Nat growled out softly, cracking his knuckles as he slouched into one of the velvet lounge chairs lining the hallway, his wicked smirk never fully fading. "Or do I need to remind you who that you’re not so pure either?"

Alexander didn’t say a word. He simply walked past Nat, his sharp blue eyes locked onto April as he pulled out a seat right beside the VIP suite’s one-way glass wall. He sat down, unbuttoning his tailored jacket with fluid, aristocratic grace, his posture pristine—though the lethal, icy storm in his eyes promised that the game was far from over.

April simply walked past all three of them, her emerald silk dress swaying smoothly around her ankles as she took her place at the head of the judging table.

"Save the posturing for after the scores are tallied," April said calmly, resting her chin on her hand as she looked through the pristine glass panel down at the bustling arena floor below. "The final round is about to start."

The final round began with a loud chime and all chefs went into full prepping.

Ten minutes later, the doors opened, revealing Emily and Samuel that had finally made it to the venue.

Samuel amde sure to give wach man a daggering glare before settling his sights on his mistress.

Emily took a seat right beside April, setting her clipboard on her lap as her chest heaved from the sprint up the private corridor. She smoothed her hair, her eyes wide with frantic relief. "Sorry... I’m late! I hope I didn’t miss it!"

April offered a calm, reassuring smile. "You’re not late. They’re still cooking."

Emily let out a soft sigh, turning her attention toward the grand, pristine one-way glass panel overlooking the arena below. Down on the main stage, under the blinding glare of studio lights and amidst the hum of hundreds of cheering spectators, the final contestants were in the thick of their preparations.

Pots simmered, knives flashed across cutting boards with rhythmic speed, and smoke billowed into the high-tech ventilation systems.

Her eyes immediately locked onto Philippe, who was completely absorbed in his work, meticulously plating a delicate creation with intense focus.

A radiant, breathless warmth spread across Emily’s face. Clasping her hands tightly against her chest, she pressed her fingers together, her brown eyes shining with quiet, fervent hope as she whispered through the glass. "Do your best, Philippe..."

Beside her, Samuel stood stoic and pristine, stepping up to offer April tea, while Nat, Xavier, and Alexander observed the scene from their respective seats with either boredom in their eyes or disastisfaction.

Minutes bled into an hour, and then another half an hour included for the dessert combo. Then, the massive countdown timer on the stadium’s central LED screen ticked down to its final seconds: 3... 2... 1...

A loud horn signaled the end of the competition, causing the arena to erupt in thunderous applause. Down below, the completed dishes were placed into the automated service bays.

Moments later, the pneumatic dumbwaiter glided upward behind the paneling of the suite with a soft, mechanical chime, delivering the final, smoking courses directly into the VIP serving bay.

With a taste from each dish, the scores were decided.

When it was Philippe’s dish, April took a bite and felt something warm in her chest. It was so warm that she wondered if the dish had simply been too hot for her, but when she looked towards Emily that had taken that one spoon, she found tears rolling down her cheek.

Why are you crying? It was the question anyone would ask, but for some reason, April did not ask. Maybe, it was because she already knew the answer.

This dish that Philippe made, he had not just poured in his effort, talent adn ingredients, he had put his heart into it so that anyone who tasted it would understand the deep affection he held towards the person he liked.

Thay’s some talent, April thought.

While the other dishes were made to impress, this dish was made to move hearts. There was no way he wasn’t winning with this finalty.

When the final evaluations were logged and the tally was completed, the scores flashed across the screens. The crowd went wild as Philippe secured first place, officially taking home the 50 million grand cash prize.

It was a massive triumph for someone who never went to a prestigious culinary school and had worked hard to prove himself.

Being the winner had also guaranteed his position on Xavier’s culinary team for the private shelter facility in preparation for the apocalypse.

Together with Renzo—the prideful master chef whom Xavier intended to recruit after the event as well—both men were now fully secured to survive the coming apocalypse.

Nat, Xavier, and Alexander rose from their seats, adjusting their jackets to head down to the arena floor for the official televised presentation. As the key sponsors who had funded the entire grand tournament for April, they were expected to hand over the awards in person.

Up in the suite, Emily watched the stage, tears of pure joy glittering in her eyes as she clutched her hands to her heart.

"You look so happy," April noted softly, leaning back in her chair as she watched her sister. "You look like you’re planning to marry the man."

"You don’t understand, sister," Emily whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "It’s simply because my heart yearns for Philippe so much. I was so worried that if he didn’t win, he’d be left alone outside when the... when everything happens. He wouldn’t make it. But now, with this, he has a real shot at staying under Mr. Reed’s protection."

April watched her twin’s glowing face. Emily, having survived an abusive past, had latched onto the first person whom her heart skipped for on thier first meeting, a man who had showed her genuine warmth and kindness, and that loving didn’t have to be grand. It could be simple, and still so beautiful.

At first, it made April uneasy—such raw, unshielded attachment was dangerous. But looking at her sister now, a quiet realization settled in. Maybe I don’t need to worry. Maybe this is just fate working itself out.

She still planned to read that man’s fortune and know what he actually thinks of Emily though. No way was she letting a snake be by her sister’s side.