Sweet Revenge With My Billionaire Vampire

The two made their way to the mansion’s kitchen. Pushing through the large double doors, the sound of clanging pots and hurried footsteps filled the air. The kitchen was bustling with activity.

Chefs in uniforms chopped vegetables, stirred pots, and plated dishes while maids moved about, carrying trays. The aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon wafted through the room.

No one seemed to notice their arrival, too absorbed in their tasks. Enzo stepped forward, adjusting his tie. He cleared his throat loudly, and instantly, everyone halted, their heads snapping towards him in unison.

Adeline’s jaw dropped as she stared up at him. "What the fuck was that voice? It sounded like a damn thunderstorm!"

A smirk adorned Enzo’s face as he looked down at her, coupled with a cheeky wink. "Just commanding some attention. What can I say? I’m just too good at it." He gestured toward the rows of chefs and maids who were still frozen in place. "They’re all yours."

One of the chefs, a woman in her late forties with a kind face, stepped forward. She was the head chef and had been with the family for years.

She smiled warmly at Adeline, wiping her hands on her apron. "Good morning, Miss Adeline. What brings you to the kitchen today? Is there something we can help you with?"

Adeline opened her hand, revealing the yellow packet in her palm. "I found this in Grandma’s tea room. Do you or anyone else have any idea what it is?"

The head chef’s brows furrowed slightly in confusion as she leaned closer to get a better look. She didn’t speak immediately but instead took the packet from Adeline and raised a hand, wiggling her fingers to summon the other staff. The chefs and maids gathered around, murmuring quietly as they passed the packet among themselves.

One by one, they all shook their heads. Finally, the head cook returned the packet to Adeline and sighed. "I’m sorry, Miss Adeline, but I’ve never seen this before. Neither has anyone else, it seems."

Adeline’s shoulders sagged, and she nodded, taking a step back and turning to leave the kitchen. But just as she took her first step, a thought sparked in her mind, and she stopped abruptly, snapping her fingers. She whirled around, fixing her gaze on the head chef.

"Wait a second. Which one of you usually makes tea for Grandma, anyways?"

The head chef shook her head. "None of us do. It was always Miranda who made Mrs. Beverly’s tea."

"Miranda," she repeated. "Who’s Miranda? I’ve never even heard of that name before."

The chef gave a small nod before gesturing for both Adeline and Enzo to follow her. "Come with me."

The two exchanged a glance before trailing behind her.

The chef reached a two door closed book shelf and opened it, revealing rows of stacked files. She grabbed one from the bottom and carried it over to the nearby counter. Blowing off the thin layer of dust that had gathered on the file’s cover, she opened it.

"What’s this?" Adeline asked.

"This is a record of the staff who’ve worked in this mansion. Since there are so many of us, it’s kept for safety and organizational reasons. It includes profiles of current workers and some of those who’ve retired or quit."

"Usually, the profiles are removed once someone leaves, but this file hasn’t been updated in a while. Miranda’s profile might still be here."

Intrigued, Adeline moved closer, standing shoulder to shoulder with Enzo, their eyes scanning the pages as the chef turned them. Each profile had the full names, pictures, and details about the people who work or once worked here.

Finally, the chef stopped, tapping her finger on a page. "Ah, here she is," she said, pointing to a black-and-white photograph of a woman.

Her hand extended and grasped the file, her gaze fixated on the profile within. The woman looked to be around the same age as the head chef, with an almost pale face. She had dark bags under them that gave her an exhausted appearance. Something about her features struck a chord deep in Adeline’s memory. Instinctively, she began snapping her fingers rapidly, trying to grasp what it was.

"I know her!" Adeline blurted out, turning to the head chef. "She was hired during my 22nd birthday, wasn’t she? I remember her now. She made my birthday cake and gave me taste tests right over there!" She pointed at the counter near the oven with a bit of excitement in her voice. "She’s the one in charge of desserts, right?"

The head chef’s face lit up with a smile, and she nodded. "That’s right. Miranda was an excellent pastry chef, and yes, she was the one who made your birthday cake that year. She began working in this kitchen a few days after your birthday."

Adeline placed the file back on the counter, still staring at Miranda’s photo. "I’ve seen her two, maybe three times making tea for Grandma, but I had no idea she was the only one who did it."

Enzo, silent until now, pulled out his phone and quickly snapped a picture of Miranda’s profile. The head chef gave Adeline a subtle nod and picked up the file, brushing off the remaining dust before returning it to the cupboard.

"The kitchen staff were too occupied during Thanksgiving one time, and I told her to help prepare Mrs. Beverly’s tea. Ever since that day, she became the only one that made your grandmother’s tea," the cook said as she slid the file back into its place.

"She wouldn’t allow any of us to do it anymore. One time, I made it myself because Miranda was unwell, but Mrs. Beverly said it wasn’t the same. She preferred Miranda’s tea and stopped drinking the ones we made for her. In short, we were replaced by Miranda in anything that has to do with your grandmother’s tea."

"Whenever Mrs. Beverly’s tea packs were delivered, they were given to Miranda. She’s the one that restocks her tea room for her, so if anyone knows what’s in that packet, it would be her. I wish I could tell you more, but that’s all I’ve got."

Adeline’s head bobbed up and down gratefully. "Thank you so much. You’ve been a great help."

The cook chuckled, waving a dismissive hand at the both of them. "You’re welcome, Miss Adeline. Anything to help."

"Come on," Adeline said as she turned to Enzo, grabbing him by the wrist and pulling him along, heading for the door.