The Ultimate Blackcard Revenge

chapter 6

Charles, Ethan, Alison, and the head chef made their way to the busy kitchen. The air was thick with the smells of spices and sizzling meals, a natural setting for what would soon become a fierce rivalry.

Alison entered the kitchen and began gathering all of the managers and supervisors who might be interested in witnessing this unprecedented challenge. Her voice was authoritative as she announced the contest's regulations. Even the culinary manager, who typically remained behind the scenes, came out, evidently intrigued.

To ensure impartiality, two well-known culinary specialists from the city were asked as judges. They were industry icons, known for their discriminating judgment and fairness. Their early presence added a feeling of legitimacy to the event, raising the enthusiasm among the observers.

The story spread rapidly, and before long, a mob of hotel staff assembled. This wasn't simply a cooking competition; it was a spectacle. Many staff members, loyal to the head chef, began speaking to one another, their comments dripping with mistrust and hate.

"Does he think he has a chance?" a cook muttered and shook his head. "Jeremy has years of experience. That guy does not even look like he belongs in the kitchen."

Another staff member smirked. "Look at his clothing. It's laughable. How could someone like him afford to eat here, let alone compete?"

The comments grew louder, and the mockery more biting. "I wouldn't be surprised if he messed up the ingredients," a colleague said. "He's probably never even seen a real kitchen before."

Alison frowned when she heard the hurtful words. Determined to assist Charles, she stepped over to him. "Are you sure about this?" she inquired quietly, her tone tinged with concern.

Charles maintained an unshakeable gaze as he glanced at her. "I’m ready. Do not worry."

Her reluctance lasted a second before she nodded. "Alright. Remember, if you lose, you can't come back. Your membership and reputation are on the line."

Charles gave a tiny, confident smile. "I won't lose."

Meanwhile, Ethan stood in a corner, arms crossed, watching the events unfold. His sneer was malicious as he muttered to those surrounding him, "He doesn't have a chance. Jeremy will crush him. This is a complete waste of everyone's time."

Unaffected by the uproar and doubt, Charles took a deep breath. He used his privileged membership rights to unlock an exceptional cooking skill. His mind was instantly overwhelmed with information—recipes from around the world, techniques employed by renowned chefs, and the secrets to create unique flavors. He experienced a burst of confidence.

Jeremy, the chief chef, leaned against a counter, smirking. "You still have time to back out," he teased. "Save yourself from embarrassment. Everyone knows you're out of your depth."

Charles did not respond. Instead, he proceeded to his station and prepped his tools. His silence simply fed Jeremy's hubris, and the audience laughed with him.

The culinary manager came up to declare the challenge. "You will each make four dishes: a dessert of flourless chocolate truffles, a salad with unusual lobster, a main course of fish teriyaki, and a Chinese-style steamed dumpling appetizer. You have four hours. Begin!"

The announcement shook the crowd. These were not basic dishes. Each one necessitated talent, accuracy, and inventiveness.

The sound of the bell signaled the beginning of the tournament. Charles got to work right away, his hands moving with newfound expertise. His concentration was unwavering, and his motions were smooth and deliberate.

Initially, the onlookers jeered. "Look at him pretending to know what he's doing," one said sarcastically. "This is going to be embarrassing."

But, over time, something changed. The perfume emanating from Charles' station was unlike anything they had ever experienced. It was rich, enticing, and entirely unexpected. The laughter subsided gradually, and people moved closer to his side of the kitchen.

Jeremy sensed the shift in attention and started to panic. He increased his efforts, and beads of sweat appeared on his brow.

Alison, standing at the edge of the crowd, couldn't stop smiling. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she was feeling increasingly hopeful.

Ethan, on the other hand, was infuriated. "It's just a fluke," he mumbled. "Jeremy will win. He always does."

The hours passed by. By the time the bell rung to indicate the end of the tournament, both chefs were clearly fatigued. Jeremy appeared tired, his confidence replaced by uneasiness. Charles, on the other hand, maintained his composure, his dishes meticulously organized.

The two judges moved forward, ready to assess the platters. Jeremy requested they begin with his food. "You don't want to spoil your palate by trying his first," he said smugly.

The judges tried his dessert. "It's good," one of them commented, but his tone lacked passion. They gave him a 7 out of 10.

Then they turned to Charles' dessert. When they took a bite, their expressions changed. One of them closed his eyes to appreciate the flavor. "This is extraordinary," he exclaimed, his voice full of awe.

The other judge nodded in agreement. "I've never tasted anything like this before."

Jeremy's face sank as they gave Charles a perfect ten. The similar pattern was performed for the remaining dishes. Each of Charles' works received high accolades, but Jeremy's received just mediocre ratings.

The staff, who had previously mocked Charles, were now whispering among themselves. "Did you see that?" one of them asked. "He is great. I can't believe this."

Another person said, "Jeremy had this coming. He's always been really arrogant."

When the final scores were calculated, the result was obvious. The culinary manager came up to declare the winner. "The champion of this competition is… Charles!"

The room erupted in cheers. Charles stood upright, his quiet assurance now acknowledged.

Jeremy was devastated. "This can't be happening," he said. "He's not even a professional chef!"

The culinary manager shook his head. "The results speak for themselves. Charles' dishes were excellent in every way."

Desperate to figure out how he had lost, Jeremy grabbed a spoon and tried one of Charles' dishes. When the food met his tongue, his knees buckled. He dropped to the floor, tears flowing down his cheeks.

"I've made a terrible mistake," he said. "I shouldn't have challenged you."

Charles stared down at him, his gaze calm yet forceful. "You underestimated me. Now you have to face the consequences."

Jeremy nodded, too embarrassed to disagree. The gathering watched in stunned silence as the once-proud chef confessed defeat.

Ethan walked out of the kitchen, furious at the humiliation of his friend's loss.

As the workers dispersed, many of them approached Charles, their attitudes altered dramatically. "Can you teach me?" one of them inquired, his tone full of admiration.

Alison walked closer to Charles, a smile lighting up her face. "I knew you could do it," she explained.

Charles simply nodded, grateful yet humble. For the first time in years, he felt truly victorious.