The Meal Before Everything

"I heard Mr. Loris prefers tangy flavors, so I'll be serving beef and veggie stew. Don't get in my way."

Hearing that familiar voice, I stiffened. One look at the calendar on the wall was enough for me to realize that I had been reborn.

In my previous life, the wealthiest man in Indoria, Galarva Loris, was on the hunt for a bride and was willing to pay big bucks for the right one.

Whoever passed his tests would receive 1.5 million dollars and a life of luxury.

My adoptive parents, playing the odds, signed me up along with my sister, Janet Cooper. We battled through tough challenges like we were heroes in an epic saga, and we finally reached the grand finale.

It was a showcase of talents.

Janet insisted on serving her signature beef and veggie stew to impress Galarva, so I shut that crazy idea down immediately.

I had to break it down for the whole family. In Indoria, cows were considered holy, and eating beef could land us in serious trouble with the law.

On top of that, Galarva himself kept a number of cows on his estate. Serving beef could have gotten us all thrown in jail.

Janet just scoffed at my warning.

"Christina Cooper, are you messing with me? You know beef and veggie stew is the only thing I can cook!" she accused.

"I can't believe you're this cruel. First, you steal my parents, and now, you're after my shot at being Mrs. Rich and Famous!"

Even my adoptive parents started to think I was out to get her.

To keep my family safe, I had no choice but to ditch Janet's beef stew in the trash when no one was looking. That sent her storming out of the kitchen, and in a twist of fate, she got hit by a speeding car.

My adoptive parents were heartbroken, but they did not blame me. They just encouraged me to keep my head down and focus on the upcoming competition.

I did not disappoint them. Thanks to my exceptional cooking skills, I caught the eye of the wealthiest man in town.

However, on my wedding day to the wealthiest man, my adoptive parents tricked me into getting wasted.

Next thing I knew, I woke up in the slums of Indoria, with eight single guys taking turns to harass me. I screamed for my adoptive parents to help.

They just kicked me and bluntly responded, "You wouldn't be in this mess if you hadn't been so mean to Janet, trying to snag the rich lady status. Her death is on you!"

That night, I bled out and died.

Haunted by the agony of my previous life, I pushed down the fury and put on a grin.

"Janet, go ahead and cook your signature dish! That'll up your chances to be the rich dude's wife."

Our mother, Fiona Walker, seemed unsure.

"I've heard that Indoria folks don't do beef. Christina, you're the brainy one in the family, what's your take?"

Before I could answer, Janet shot me a death glare.

"Indoria's a beef-exporting powerhouse! There's no way they don't eat it. I saw a bunch of cows at the rich guy's place. They're definitely for chowing down! Don't bother Christina with that stuff. Remember, she's my rival now."