Chapter 130 Reminded Her of Speckles

Mandy didn't see this coming and forced a smile. "I..."

"Grossed out?" John cut her off, raising an eyebrow.

Mandy quickly shook her head. "No, not at all."

"Then why aren't you eating?" John pushed, bringing it back to his point.

Rachel and the others knew John was stirring the pot, trying to cause trouble between Mandy and Michael. They all put down their utensils, ready to watch the drama unfold.

"Miss Brown, if Mr. Smith's cooking isn't a problem, dig in," Joseph said, leaning back with a smirk.

Ella nodded. "Yeah, Mr. Smith made this himself. How can you not eat it? You said you love Mr. Smith. You can't just embarrass him like that."

James started to say something, but Michael's cold stare shut him up. Rachel kept sipping her soup, but the mockery in her eyes was clear.

Mandy looked at them, her eyes reddening with anger. They were clearly mocking her, forcing her to eat the gross food for their amusement. Worse, they were using her relationship with Michael to pressure her. If she didn't eat, it would look like she didn't love him, which would make Michael doubt her feelings. These people were the worst.

"Fine, I'll eat!" Mandy took a deep breath and forced a smile.

John and the others were momentarily stunned, then started laughing triumphantly. "Miss Brown, you really love Mr. Smith," Ella praised.

Mandy gave a bitter smile and said nothing. 'Love? What does this have to do with love? They're just cornering me,' she thought.

Mandy bit her lip and picked up her utensils. Michael held her hand and stopped her. "Don't eat it. Ignore them."

"It's okay. Since it's your first time cooking for me, I should at least try it," Mandy said calmly, gently moving her hand away.

Although Michael still didn't want her to eat it, he didn't insist. Maybe he also wanted to see how she'd react to the food.

Under everyone's gaze, Mandy picked up a piece of potato and put it in her mouth. "Go ahead. Why are you hesitating?" John urged when he saw her pause.

Mandy gritted her teeth and closed her eyes, finally mustering the courage to put the strange potato piece in her mouth. Instantly, an indescribable taste filled her mouth.

Her face displayed a mix of emotions before she finally lost control. She covered her mouth and bolted to the bathroom. Behind her, John and the others were still laughing and joking.

"Mr. Smith, looks like Miss Brown isn't a fan of your cooking. She went straight to puke," Joseph teased.

"Maybe she doesn't love you that much. If it were me, I'd swallow it without flinching, no matter how bad it tasted." John laughed.

Michael's face darkened, and he stayed silent. He knew the food was terrible, but her reaction still stung.

Rachel, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. "Alright, let's eat and drop it." She wasn't defending Michael, just trying to keep things from getting worse. Seeing Michael's expression, John and the others quieted down and finished their meal in silence.

Just then, Mandy came back after rinsing her mouth. She sat down and glanced nervously at Michael. "Michael, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to. I just couldn't eat it," she said softly.

Michael sighed, a hint of irritation in his voice. "No worries. The food was awful. It's no surprise you couldn't keep it down."

Mandy sensed his change in mood, her heart tightening with sadness. This was all because of Rachel and the others' instigation.

The atmosphere at the table became heavy, and no one touched their utensils again. The laughter from the next table was even more grating. The aroma of the food made them feel even worse.

"I'm really starving! Michael, can we get someone to send some food over? Maybe by helicopter?" James suggested.

Michael shook his head. "The weather outside is too bad. A helicopter would be dangerous."

"So we're just going to stay hungry?" James complained.

"If you don't want to be hungry, then just eat this," Michael said, looking up at him.

"Then I'd rather stay hungry," James said discontentedly.

"Then get out," Michael responded coldly.

"Fine!" James stood up in a huff and walked over to Rachel's table. He called out, "Rachel."

"What are you doing here?" Rachel frowned.

"Rachel, your food smells so good," James said, his eyes full of longing.

Rachel smirked, "Do you want some?"

"Can I?" James's eyes lit up.

"Come back, this isn't right," Mandy urged.

"It's none of your business. Don't interfere," James shouted back.

"I'm just worried about you," Mandy said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I don't need your concern. Worry about yourself," James replied coldly.

Heartbroken, Mandy buried her head in Michael's chest, seeking comfort. This time, Michael just held her silently, saying nothing.

Seeing all this, John gloated, "James, well done!"

James still looked expectantly at Rachel and asked again, "Rachel, can I?"

"Of course not. It's not like you don't have food. Michael made a whole table of it, right over there. Go back and eat," John pointed at Michael and said to James.

James glared at him. "I wasn't asking you. Who are you to answer?"

John put his arm around Rachel's shoulder and laughed. "Because I'm Rachel's boyfriend."

Rachel didn't push him away, letting him hold her. Seeing her cooperation, John became even more smug. "So, do you have any more questions?"

James's face turned red, but he quickly turned to Rachel, his tone becoming pleading. "Rachel, I'm really hungry. Please let me have some. Please!" He clasped his hands together and made a begging gesture, looking pitiful.

Rachel suddenly remembered a dog she had a few years ago. To get some food, it would stand on its hind legs and make a begging gesture, just like James was doing now.

Rachel couldn't help but soften. "Alright, you can eat," she said, pointing to an empty seat.

"Great, Rachel, you're the best!" James jumped up happily and quickly ran to the kitchen to get utensils.

"Rachel, you're really letting him eat?" John asked, looking at Rachel in disbelief, and Joseph and Ella were also surprised.

Even Michael was stunned. Didn't she say she wouldn't be nice to the Smith family? Why was she letting James eat?

"Yes." Rachel nodded.

John frowned. "Why?"

Michael quietly perked up his ears, also wanting to know the reason.

"It's simple. His actions just now reminded me of Speckles," Rachel smiled, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.

John recalled what Speckles looked like and nodded. "He does look a bit like that."

"You said Speckles?" Michael suddenly stood up, his expression serious, his voice filled with undisguised urgency.

Rachel and John exchanged a glance, not understanding why he was so agitated. Just as they were about to explain, Mandy suddenly bent over and started coughing violently.

Michael's face tightened, and he quickly patted her back, asking with concern, "Mandy, what's wrong?"

"Michael, I'm feeling a bit dizzy. Maybe I caught a cold. Can you help me back to the room?" Mandy said, looking up with a pale face at Michael.

"Okay." Michael nodded.

Mandy weakly thanked him, secretly relieved. She knew Speckles was a golden retriever she had seen in Michael's letters. But she didn't expect Rachel to mention Speckles, and Michael heard it. Luckily, her interruption stopped the conversation.

James came out with utensils and saw that Michael and Mandy were gone, asking in confusion, "Where's Michael?"

John pointed upstairs and snorted, "They went back to their room. You should too. Don't bother eating."

James rolled his eyes and plopped down at the table. "Just because you say so, I'm not supposed to eat?" He started shoveling food into his mouth.

The moment the food hit his taste buds, James was nearly moved to tears. "This is real food."

But before he could savor it, Rachel put down her fork and gave him a stern look. "Remember to clear the table and wash the dishes when you're done."

"Why me?" James's eyes widened in disbelief.

Rachel smiled slightly. "Because I cooked, Ella washed the veggies, Joseph cleaned the fish, and John got the spices and plates. So, you can't just eat for free, right?"

James lowered his head and muttered, "Got it."

Rachel looked at the tuft of hair sticking up on his head and couldn't help but reach out and touch it. "Good boy."

James blushed and pouted, "Are you treating me like a child?"

"If you think so, then yes." Rachel chuckled. Then she got up and went upstairs.

In the end, only James was left at the table. He picked up the remaining food on the plate and dumped it all into his bowl, eating with relish.

In the middle of the night, Rachel woke up thirsty and planned to get some water from the coffee table, only to find the kettle empty. Helpless, she had to go downstairs to find some.

The thunder outside had stopped, but the rain was still pouring, and the wind was howling, making her feel uneasy. At that moment, the lights suddenly went out, plunging the entire villa into darkness.

Rachel was startled, holding onto the railing, not daring to move for fear of tripping or bumping into something. "John, John?" she called out loudly, her voice trembling, hoping John could hear and come over.

A door opened, followed by footsteps and the light of a phone flashlight. "John, is that you?" she called out, spotting the light and breathing a sigh of relief.