Chapter 3906

Tatum’s passion for cooking was evident in everything he did, from the precision of his dishes to the calm confidence he exuded. It certainly didn’t hurt that he was undeniably handsome. Sevyn Ormond, ever the lighthearted one, grinned as she watched him. “Honestly, even if the food wasn’t delicious, I’d probably still feel like I’m dining on delicacies just by looking at him,” she quipped. Sevyn was known for being swayed by a good-looking face, and she embraced it unapologetically.

Elora chuckled, shaking her head at her sister’s comment. “Let’s be clear—what you’re tasting is due to Tatum’s skills, not mine. He’s the one who makes it happen.”

Tatum, standing nearby, smiled modestly. “I’m the chef for Miss Elora. I follow her lead,” he said in his usual steady tone. The underlying message was unmistakable: if Elora didn’t agree to something, no one else could hope to have it. This earned a round of laughter from the other Ormond sisters, who couldn’t help but admire his loyalty.

Everything Tatum did revolved around Elora. His dedication was unwavering, as if she were the center of his universe.

Elora gave him a knowing smile. “You should get some rest, Tatum. My sisters and I are just going to relax here for a while. When the boys are done playing in the snow, we’ll head back inside.”

With a polite nod, Tatum left the gazebo. On his way back, he paused briefly to join the snowball fight with the younger brothers, eliciting delighted shrieks of laughter from them before retreating to his quarters.

As they watched him go, Sevyn leaned closer to Elora, her tone half-serious, half-teasing. “Sister, Tatum is perfect. He’s so good that I can’t help but wonder—does he have some ulterior motive?”

Elora remained unfazed. “You really think I haven’t looked into it? Twice? His background is impeccable. He hails from Wiltspoon, a thousand miles away, with no prior connections to this area or to us. The only reason he’s here is his passion for cooking.”
Tinsley couldn’t help but interject with her playful commentary. “Still, if Tatum has any ulterior motives, they’ve likely developed since meeting you. He’s so attentive to you—it’s hard not to think he’s smitten.”
Elora shot her an annoyed glance. “Tinsley, are you just trying to get back at me for teasing you earlier?”
Tinsley giggled mischievously, knowing it was true; Elora frequently teased her about her admiration for Tatum’s looks and talent. “Maybe,” she admitted with a grin. “But am I wrong?”
Elora sighed and shook her head. Tatum was undeniably exceptional. He had won over not just her, but also her family, from the elders to the youngest siblings. However, she sensed no romantic interest from him; he seemed to embody pure professionalism and kindness—qualities her sisters were all too eager to misinterpret.
“He’s simply good at what he does,” Elora stated firmly, though a small smile tugged at her lips. “Let’s leave it at that.”
Still giggling, Tinsley teased again, “Honestly, sister, the guy your classmate introduced you to doesn’t even compare to Tatum. You shouldn’t waste your time on him.”
“I haven’t even considered it,” Elora shot back, tapping Tinsley lightly on the forehead. “You really need to stop stirring the pot.”
The atmosphere was light and relaxed, in stark contrast to Elora’s usual serious demeanor. Her sisters, emboldened by the casual mood, seized the chance to poke fun.

“Honestly, sister, the guy your classmate introduced you to doesn’t even compare to Tatum. You shouldn’t waste your time on him,” Tinsley said.

“I haven’t even considered it,” Elora shot back, gently tapping Tinsley on the forehead. “You really need to stop stirring things up.”

The atmosphere was light and relaxed, a refreshing change from Elora’s usual serious demeanor. Her sisters, encouraged by the casual mood, seized the opportunity to tease her—a rare moment they were eager to enjoy.

Suddenly, a phone began to ring, interrupting the laughter. Elora glanced at her phone and raised an eyebrow.

“Speak of the devil,” she remarked, answering the call. It was Rosie, her former classmate.

The sisters exchanged amused glances, but Elora’s attention quickly shifted to the conversation as Rosie’s voice came through the line.