Vanessa trailed behind him, stretching her arms behind her head as she glanced around. "Wow, did someone die while you were gone? The place is spotless."
Ethan snorted. "Maybe they just missed me."
One of the younger maids, who had been dusting a nearby vase, turned bright red and quickly scurried away.
Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I think some really did."
Ignoring her, Ethan made his way to the kitchen.
He didn't need to ask where Mirianne was — if she wasn't managing the house, she was here, ensuring the kitchen remained the heart of the mansion.
And, as expected, the moment he stepped through the doorway, he saw her standing by the counter, rolling out some dough with practiced ease.
The rich aroma of cooking filled the air — freshly baked bread, a simmering pot of stew, and something that smelled suspiciously like roasted chicken.
She didn't even look up as he approached. "Took you long enough."
