Chapter 345: Chapter 345: A Favor from You
She set the alarm for eight in the morning because she had agreed to meet Shane Coleman at nine to go to the law firm first.
After she finished washing up and walked out of the bedroom, she saw Ariana Grant clanging around in the kitchen.
To those who knew, they knew she was making breakfast; to others, it might seem like there was a fight going on in there.
Ariana Grant is a foodie, but her cooking skills are practically non-existent.
Ariana Grant has quite a bit of self-awareness, so ever since she came, she hasn’t entered the kitchen much. What’s going on today?
Did the sun come up from the west?
Ariana Grant hadn’t noticed her yet. She didn’t speak up and just leaned against the kitchen door, watching Ariana Grant struggle.
It was clear that she was trying to make buns.
Her clothes were covered in flour, not to mention she had flour on her face, looking just like a big mottled cat.
The funny thing was she didn’t even realize it, as she seriously chopped the filling.
Ashley Shaw had a mild allergy to seafood, so the dumplings were filled with celery and pork.
But that celery was cut... the pieces were as long as a finger. Only the pork seemed alright, although it looked like it had been minced already.
Finally, the filling was chopped, and she started rolling out the dough.
She was quite skilled at rolling out the dough, but once she started wrapping the buns, she was stumped.
The buns looked just like dumplings.
Ashley Shaw couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
"Are you making dumplings or wontons?"
Ariana Grant was startled by the sudden voice and turned around to see it was her, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
"When did you get here?"
"When you were cutting the celery."
"Why didn’t you come to help earlier?"
"Wasn’t I watching to see if your cooking skills have improved?"
As she said this, she rolled up her sleeves, ready to help.
Ariana Grant stopped her and said, "No, don’t move. I’ll do it. I’ve been watching tutorials for quite a while."
Ashley Shaw stared at Ariana Grant for two seconds, seeing through her guilty expression before speaking, "Alright, what are you trying to ask me for?"
Ariana Grant wanted to resist, but she knew she couldn’t hide it from Ashley Shaw, so she stepped forward ready to wrap her arm around hers.
Ashley Shaw quickly stepped back two steps, saying, "I plan to leave the house in this outfit, don’t get flour on me."
Ariana Grant made a "tsk" sound and then rapidly changed her expression, clasping her hands together in a pleading manner, said, "So... Ashley darling, could you help me with something?"
Ashley Shaw had already guessed roughly, and asked, "Is it about The Wolves?"
Ariana Grant’s eyes suddenly widened, with a "how did you know" expression.
Ashley Shaw gave a faintly smiling expression.
"Honestly tell me, are you quite interested?"
Ariana Grant no longer hid.
"Yes, I admit I’m quite interested. An online romantic interest being my idol, how could it get more exciting than this?"
But soon she changed her tone, and said, "However, I’m very aware that I’m not a match for him."
"Why aren’t you a match for him? Are you missing an eye or a mouth?"
"I’m fat."
"Fat can be lost."
"I’ve been shouting about losing weight for years, have you ever seen me succeed?"
"That’s because you often give up halfway. This time I’ll be watching you, I won’t let you give up halfway. Moreover, losing weight isn’t just for looking good, it can also make you healthier. Aunt Talbot also mentioned that a proper weight loss is good for your digestive system."
"Let’s see..." Ariana Grant dodged the major point.
"There’s no ’let’s see,’ starting tomorrow. Today is your last indulgent day, and tomorrow I’ll watch you closely."
Ariana Grant was silent for a moment before asking, "Will it be in time?"
"Of course, it’s in time. You start losing weight tomorrow, and when he finishes the program and comes back, you’ll have returned to a normal weight."
"Can it really work?"
"If you don’t believe in yourself, don’t you believe in me?"
Ariana Grant listened and was somewhat tempted.
"Well... should I give it a try then?"
"Mm-hmm! Okay, so it’s decided, starting tomorrow."
Ariana Grant gritted her teeth and said, "Then let’s not wait until tomorrow, let’s start today!"
"That’s wonderful."
Ariana Grant nodded, feeling a bit bashful, rubbing her hands together, "So, could you help me speak to Lord Prescott, see if he could find a doctor to treat his leg?"
"I knew it was about this. Regarding this matter, their side probably already has a conclusion. I happened to discuss this with him last night, and we unanimously agreed to leave the decision to treat or not treat to Leon Zeller himself."
Ariana Grant lowered her eyelids.
"He’s already willing to leave the team himself, how could he possibly accept treatment?"
"That’s why if we force treatment on him, it might make him uncomfortable, possibly leading to him quitting the program."
Ariana Grant said, "Leaving the program directly would be great, it’s better than losing a leg during the program."
Ashley Shaw deliberately reminded her, "Have you forgotten how much the prize for the winning team is?"
Ariana Grant blurted out, "Money isn’t more important than people?"
Ashley Shaw’s face immediately broke into a smile, "Haven’t even met yet, already feeling sorry for him. A few days ago, who knows who it was saying..."
"Okay, okay, don’t say it." Ariana Grant deliberately changed the topic, "I can’t wrap buns, hurry up and help me."
Ashley Shaw originally wanted to tease her a few more times but noticed the time in the living room—it was already eight twenty—so she didn’t waste any more time and rolled up her sleeves to start wrapping buns.
Her buns were wrapped both quickly and round, looking no different from the ones sold in stores.
Ariana Grant stared wide-eyed, watching.
"Where did you learn this skill?"
Ashley Shaw finished speaking casually, "Learned it from the Prescott Family’s chef."
Ariana Grant instantly understood, "No wonder, learning skills from a star chef surpasses us ordinary folks."
"Do you think your cooking skills can be considered ordinary?"
"Okay, I know my skills aren’t good, no need to mock me, quickly steam them, I’m already hungry."
"Didn’t you say you’d start losing weight today?"
"This afternoon, start in the afternoon. Breakfast should be a good meal."
Ashley Shaw shook her head helplessly, steaming the buns in the steamer, and took the opportunity to call Shane Coleman, telling him they’d be a bit late.
"No problem, there’s no rush, just need to finalize the process."
"Alright... by the way, we’re steaming buns now. Do you want some? If yes, we’ll bring a couple for you."
"Sure! Bring a few extra, I’m quite hungry."
Ashley Shaw didn’t think much, only thought it was the law firm staff who wanted to eat, so she agreed immediately and made more buns.
In about twenty minutes, white, chubby buns were ready to be served.
Ashley Shaw took a bite and nodded in satisfaction.
"Your filling is actually pretty good."
Ariana Grant looked smug.
"Of course, I searched online for a long time for tutorials, measured all the ingredients with a gram scale, not off by a bit."
"Alright, it’s getting late; let’s pack the buns and head out."
"Mhm!" Ariana Grant replied while munching on a bun.
Twenty-some minutes later, the two arrived at the law firm.
Upon entering, Ashley Shaw discovered that Owen Sinclair was also there.