Successful Poaching

The spy was overjoyed. He had been racking his brain on how to fulfill Princess Mira's order to poach a head chef, and now the opportunity had simply fallen into his lap!

With his mind set on poaching Chef Ian, the spy went out and bought several jars of fine wine and prepared a table full of appetizers. When Chef Ian finished work, he deliberately found an excuse to invite him to his room for drinks and food.

After a few drinks, Chef Ian began to pour out his grievances, complaining that Bella Bell was always targeting him, making his life miserable at Eight Treasures Bistro. He was on the verge of quitting, but without the bistro's spices, his dishes just wouldn't taste the same. He was truly caught between a rock and a hard place.

The spy seized the moment and said, "Chef Ian, with your skills, why put up with all that under a woman's thumb? I have a friend who knows a restaurant owner looking for a head chef. With your talent, you'd be living the high life—fine food, fine wine, and riches galore! Best of all, you'd be in charge, no more taking orders from anyone else!"

Chef Ian looked tempted but hesitated. "But... but outside, I can't get the spices I need. My cooking just won't taste the same."

The spy lowered his voice, "What's there to worry about? Spices—if Eight Treasures Bistro can get them, so can anyone else. Don't fret about the spices, just focus on being the head chef over there. The pay is three times what you get here!"

Chef Ian was instantly swayed. "Alright, I've long had enough of working under that woman Bella Bell. Now that there's a better opportunity, why should I stay in this lousy place? Brother, take me to meet the boss—I'm ready to jump ship!"

Seeing Chef Ian take the bait, the spy was thrilled. The two drank and ate together late into the night, acting like lifelong friends.

The next day, Chef Ian simply packed up and left, not even bothering to say goodbye to Bella Bell. Meanwhile, the spy took advantage of the quiet night to sneak into the storeroom and stole a bag of every kind of spice.

The following day, the spy brought Chef Ian and the stolen spices to meet Princess Mira.

Princess Mira was ecstatic when her spy accomplished the task so quickly. Her fighting spirit soared as she declared, "Excellent! Suxin Pavilion is opening for business, and Lily Evans, just you wait—you're in for a rude awakening!"

So Princess Mira had Suxin Pavilion completely renovated, gearing up for its grand opening.

This time, Princess Mira was determined to win. She spread all kinds of rumors throughout the capital to drum up publicity for Suxin Pavilion's launch.

Prince of Qin's Manor.

Lily Evans had just taken off her Professor Jade Evans mask, holding it in her hands, when she noticed the edges were starting to fray.

The mask had a limited lifespan. After too many uses, it would inevitably wear out, and the first signs of damage always appeared at the edges.

Lily Evans studied the small tear at the mask's edge and thought, 'Time to retire this one. If someone sharp-eyed spots something off, that'll spell trouble.'

Tomorrow happened to be a day off at the academy. She'd call White Pete over to craft her a new mask.

At dusk, Bella Bell came to the Prince of Qin's Manor to report. She gave Lily Evans a full rundown of Princess Mira's latest moves.

"Master, Suxin Pavilion opens tomorrow. How should we deal with Princess Mira?" Bella Bell asked. "Please instruct me on what to do next, Master Evans."