Revenge and the Harem Chef’s Miracle System

The aroma of grilled meat mixed with spices filled the air. Louis Moreau stood in front of the stove, his hands moving swiftly to adjust the flame while ensuring the wagyu steak he was grilling reached perfection. Sweat trickled down his temple, but his eyes remained sharp, filled with focus.

Le Ciel de Paris was as busy as ever. Tonight, high-class guests filled the tables, their wine glasses shimmering under the warm light as they conversed in thick French accents, laced with arrogance. To them, food wasn’t just a meal—it was an art that had to be flawless.

“Louis! If you delay one more order, I’ll strike your name off the permanent staff list!” The harsh voice of Executive Chef Vincent Lemoine rang through the kitchen. The tall man, his presence commanding, stared at him with sharp eyes, full of impatience.

Louis didn’t flinch. His hands continued slicing the meat with precision. “This steak needs to be perfect, Chef. Fifteen more seconds.”

Vincent stepped closer, his jaw tightening. “Fifteen seconds can mean disaster in this kitchen. Do you think a Michelin-starred restaurant can afford to wait for perfection from a lowly cook like you?”

The other chefs in the kitchen held their breath. Louis never backed down in situations like this. But they knew that challenging Vincent was a dangerous move.

Yet Louis merely raised an eyebrow. “I’d rather be fired than serve an undercooked steak to our VIP customers tonight.”

Vincent’s chest rose and fell. He wanted to lash out, but Louis was faster—lifting the pan, plating the steak on a pristine white porcelain dish, then drizzling the signature sauce with a flawless stroke. Without hesitation, he handed the plate to a waiter, who immediately carried it out.

Vincent stepped forward until their faces were mere inches apart. “Do you think you can dictate the rhythm of this kitchen just because a few rich customers praise your cooking?”

Louis met his gaze directly. “I think if you want this restaurant to keep its Michelin star, you should let me do my job my way.”

Tension thickened in the air. The staff held their breath, fearing Vincent’s outburst. But instead of exploding, the man merely smirked.

“You’ve got talent, Moreau,” Vincent muttered, leaning in closer. “But talent isn’t enough. If I want to kick you out of this kitchen, no one will stop me.”

Louis stood his ground. “Go ahead, Chef. I’m sure this restaurant will lose more customers than I’ll lose a job.”

Vincent’s gaze grew colder, but he said nothing more. He merely glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall before returning to his station.

There was no time to relish the small victory. The sudden ringing of a phone in the corner of the room sent ripples through the kitchen. A waiter rushed to answer it, then turned to Louis with a tense expression.

“Chef Louis, a call from Étoile Royale. They need urgent help.”

Louis narrowed his eyes. Étoile Royale was a high-end restaurant owned by one of Vincent’s acquaintances. If they were calling for emergency assistance, something serious must have happened.

Before he could respond, Vincent approached with a lazy smirk. “Take the call, Moreau. If you think you’re as good as you believe, prove that you can handle a restaurant of that caliber.”

Louis picked up the receiver, hearing a panicked voice on the other end.

“Monsieur Moreau! Please, help us! Our head chef had an accident, and we have a major event tonight with VVIP guests. We need someone to take over immediately!”

Louis exhaled. He didn’t want to leave his post, especially after clashing with Vincent. But turning down an opportunity like this wasn’t an option either.

“Alright, I’ll be there in an hour.”

Vincent chuckled, full of mockery. “Let’s see if you can survive in a bigger kitchen, Moreau.”

Louis didn’t respond. He simply removed his apron, grabbed his jacket, and walked out of the restaurant without looking back.

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An hour later, Louis stood before Étoile Royale. The restaurant’s crystal chandeliers sparkled inside, exuding an elegance far beyond where he had worked before. Guests dressed in lavish attire, their expensive jewelry catching the flickering candlelight on the tables.

As he stepped into the kitchen, the staff greeted him with anxious faces.

“Chef Moreau! Please, help us. We only have thirty minutes before the main course must be served.”

Louis nodded firmly. “Give me the menu. I’ll adjust to whatever ingredients we have.”

He quickly donned an apron and got to work. His hands moved swiftly, leading the kitchen team with an undeniable authority. In no time, the once-chaotic kitchen began running smoothly again.

As the main course was finally sent out, Louis let out a quiet sigh of relief. But the calm was short-lived.

Through the kitchen window overlooking the dining area, his eyes landed on a familiar figure.

Celeste.

She sat at one of the finest tables, draped in an elegant blue gown he had never seen before. Her golden hair was styled into a perfect updo, her lips curled into a sweet smile—a smile that once belonged to him.

Beside her, a tall man in an expensive suit casually held her hand.

Louis’s world crumbled in an instant.

His fists clenched. It felt like a punch to the chest, knocking the breath out of him.

Celeste had betrayed him.

He wanted to believe this was just a misunderstanding, but the way she looked at the man beside her, the way they laughed together—it was too clear. This wasn’t a casual meeting.

This was a real betrayal.

Louis couldn’t stop himself. He removed his apron, stepped out of the kitchen, and walked toward Celeste’s table.

His strides were steady, even as a storm raged inside him.

Celeste turned, and when their eyes met, her face went pale.

“Louis…?” her voice was barely above a whisper.