Thaddeus Spencer gave his son’s shoulder a firm, grounding pat. "There's no need for thanks between father and son."

"The priority right now is your health. I’ve already arranged for the world’s leading specialists in sensory impairment to fly into Portsmouth this afternoon. You can rest easy—I will make sure you get your senses back."

Thaddeus’s expression hardened, his eyes turning cold as flint. "As for the Hayes and the Meyers... they’ve crossed a line. If they think they can treat my son like garbage and get away with it, they’ve got another thing coming."

Ethan met his father’s gaze and gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Dad, regarding the Hayes and the Meyers—I want to handle them myself."

Amelia, who had been watching from the sidelines, chimed in with a sharp, knowing smile. "Women understand each other best. If we’re talking about revenge against Olivia Hayes, I happen to have the perfect ace up my sleeve."

"Let me introduce you to a friend of mine, Grace Ellis. She and Olivia are old rivals. The Ellis family built their empire on high-end hotels and fine dining, and they’ve been on a warpath lately. Her 'Gilded Table' series and the annual International Culinary Fair she organizes are the talk of the industry."

Ethan nodded. "I know her. She’s been trying to unseat Olivia and snatch the 'Culinary Cultural Benchmark' title for years, but she’s always fallen just short."

"And why do you think that is?" Amelia’s smile deepened, mischievous and sharp. "It’s because Olivia had a top-tier chef like you backing her. If you join forces with Grace, wouldn’t that be the perfect checkmate?"

She leaned in, poking Ethan with her elbow, loud enough for their father to hear. "Besides, Grace is stunning—vibrant, elegant, the kind of woman who lights up a room when she walks in. She’s got the looks, the brains, and the pedigree. I think she’d make a perfect sister-in-law."

"And as luck would have it, you’re meeting her tonight. I’ve already booked the table."

Ethan, who had been busy calculating the potential for a strategic business alliance, was momentarily thrown off by his sister’s bluntness. "Wait a second... is this supposed to be a strategic partnership or a blind date?"

"Why not both?" Amelia shot back. "Can’t an ally be a date? Power couple energy—it’s the perfect opening move!"

Ethan just laughed, unable to argue with that logic.

That evening, he arrived at the restaurant as planned. Grace Ellis sat waiting across the table. Just as Amelia had promised, Grace was even more striking in person. Her skin was porcelain-pale, and her eyes curved into soft, glowing crescents when she laughed. She was radiant.

"I heard about your situation from Amelia," Grace said, her voice smooth and confident. "So, how about this? I’ll describe the flavors, the aromas, and the textures of the food to you. I used to be a food critic for a lifestyle magazine—describing flavors is my specialty."

Ethan paused, surprised by her approach. "That would be a great help, Grace."

Grace began to vividly narrate every dish on the table. Ethan listened in silence, and through her descriptions, his lost senses felt like they were slowly being stirred back to life.

Talking to Grace was effortless. She was sharp but never condescending, lively but never exhausting. They spoke comfortably about the latest trends in the culinary world and shared lighthearted stories. Her laughter was crisp, ringing through the air and effectively sweeping away the gloom that had hung over him for weeks.

Just as the atmosphere reached its peak of comfort, with the two of them laughing over the sugar balance in a dessert, a familiar, bone-chilling voice pierced through the warmth of the restaurant.

"Ethan. I finally found you."

The smile on Ethan’s lips froze instantly.

He looked up.

Olivia Hayes stood a few feet away, draped in a sharp, tailored black dress. Her expression was icy, her gaze locked onto him with a possessive, predatory intensity.

And, half a step behind her, stood Damon Meyer, a cashmere scarf draped over his arm—likely Olivia’s. Damon’s mouth curled into a sneer, his eyes filled with an undisguised, mocking contempt as he looked Ethan over.