After Holden took the first bite, his eyes widened, and his hands trembled.

The taste was too familiar-it was Ariana's cooking.

Realizing Ariana had cooked the dishes, Holden felt a surge of melancholy he couldn't contain.

He had finally found Ariana. She was still alive, and she was here.

As Bennett eyed the food on the table, a fleeting doubt crept into his mind.

The meat looked tender and perfectly cooked.

That was odd because Bennett had tried Moss' cooking before, which was terrible.

Was it because he hadn't been here for too long and Moss' cooking skills had improved?

Moss' voice interrupted his thoughts. “Are you eating with your eyes, Bennett? Why are you just staring at the food?"

Moss urged Bennett to sample the dish, emphasizing that its flavors were best enjoyed while still warm.

Bennett complied, picking up his fork and savoring a tender bite of mutton. The flavors danced on his palate, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Regaining his composure, Bennett arched his eyebrows in pleasant surprise. "Well, I'll be damned. Quite a culinary transformation you've undergone."

Moss erupted into laughter, shaking his head. "You find it delicious, huh? But I can't take credit for this one; I didn't cook this."

Intrigued, Bennett leaned forward. "Then who's the genius behind this feast?" He recalled the three place settings he had noticed upon arrival. “I noticed three settings when I arrived. Has the chef used one of them?"

Moss grinned mysteriously, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he avoided a direct answer.

Instead, he casually lifted his glass, taking a sip of his wine.

With a hint of mischief, he spoke. "I've found a perfect experimental subject. My project will yield successful results soon."

Upon hearing this, both Bennett and Holden paused.

An uneasy feeling settled between them.

What had Moss meant about the experimental subject? Maybe...