A Stay-at-home Dad’s Restaurant In An Alternate World Chapter 2486

The golden egg coating clung to every individual grain of rice. Nestled within were cubes of red beef, shimmering with a delicate oily luster. Scattered bits of vibrant green onion served as the final flourish, elevating the visual appeal of the fried rice to another level.

A powerful fragrance filled the air. The scent of seared beef melded perfectly with the aroma of the eggs, creating a beautiful and balanced bouquet.

“Grrrr…”

She attempted to gather her thoughts to deliver a sharp remark, but her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.

Norma’s expression slumped. Without further hesitation, her hand moved the spoon, swiftly delivering a mouthful of the fried rice to her lips.

!!

The rice was light and airy, perfectly encased in egg. Upon chewing, the rich egg flavor exploded, complemented by the savory beef. Each bite offered a satisfying chew, releasing juices that made for a magnificent culinary experience.

That sense of complete fulfillment caused Norma’s eyes to sparkle instantly.

Having tasted countless luxury dishes, Norma was no stranger to fine dining. The McCarthy Manor employed the premier chefs of the Underground City, yet this simple plate of beef fried rice provided a genuine shock to her system.

She took one bite after another, quickly emptying the plate. Norma licked her lips, her appetite still lingering.

Next, she used the spoon to sample the soup. The tomato and egg broth was a refreshing blend of sweet and tart, serving as the ideal companion to the rice.

In a matter of moments, both the bowl and the plate were polished clean. Only then did Norma finally set her spoon aside.

It was a remarkably modest lunch—the simplest she had ever consumed.

Despite that, she felt a deep sense of contentment that was both physical and mental.

Norma glanced up at Mag. He was eating in silence, showing no sign of seeking praise. In fact, he looked slightly dissatisfied with his own work.

“The beef was a bit undercooked. It needs some adjustments,” Mag muttered to himself. He was genuinely displeased with the result.

For some inexplicable reason, Norma felt as though the man before her was radiating a certain glow. He was unlike the typical wealthy Young Masters; his serious devotion to his Cultivation of the culinary arts was truly admirable.

“I was thinking, tonight, do you still want to…” Norma began, but the sound of the doorbell cut her off.

Mag rose to answer it. Nancy stood at the entrance. Though she maintained a stoic face, a flicker of worry was visible in her gaze. “Baussaint mentioned that Norma came to see you. Did she cause any trouble?”

“She’s currently in my room,” Mag replied with a shrug.

“What?” Nancy gasped, her face turning to one of pure shock. “Y-you two…”

She couldn't believe Mag had brought Norma into his private quarters so quickly.

“I only stopped by for a meal. Don’t get the wrong idea!” Sensing the tension in Nancy’s voice, Norma rushed to the door. She looked at Nancy and teased, “Big Sister Nancy seems awfully concerned about Hades. You rushed over here in such a frenzy; were you worried I’d devour him?”

“Lunch?” Nancy looked at Norma, who was perfectly composed, then peered past them at the table. It appeared they really had just shared a meal prepared by Mag.

“That’s enough for now. I’m heading back. Don’t forget what we agreed on.” Norma gave Mag a wink before brushing past Nancy with a grin, whistling as she skipped away.

Mag realized then that the girl wasn't actually malicious toward him; she simply enjoyed getting a rise out of Nancy.

“Would you like to come in?” Mag offered Nancy.

After a moment of hesitation, Nancy nodded and stepped inside.

If Norma was allowed in, she saw no reason why she shouldn't be.

This was her first time inside the staff quarters. To prevent rumors, she usually maintained a strict distance from male employees, Baussaint included.

Mag tidied the table and poured Nancy a glass of water. “Have you eaten yet?”

“No.”

“Shall I whip up something quick?”

Nancy initially thought to refuse since she had a family event later. However, seeing Norma’s empty plate made her curious about the food. She gave a small nod of agreement.

Mag prepared another portion of beef fried rice. Using what he learned from the first batch, his heat control over the beef was much more precise this time.

Watching Mag from the sofa felt unusual to Nancy. In this small space, a man in casual clothes and an apron was cooking specifically for her. It felt like a scene from a domestic movie.

Such a scene had never existed in her reality.

She had never envisioned a future where a man would prepare lunch for her in a shared home.

A wave of happiness washed over her.

She chuckled at her own stray thoughts, but as she watched Mag’s focused profile, her heart fluttered slightly.

Mag set the dish down and smiled. “Beef fried rice. The fridge was a bit bare, but the ingredients were high quality.”

“Thank you,” Nancy said softly. Hiding the sparkle in her eyes, she picked up the spoon and finished the meal with her usual grace.

It was no wonder the picky Norma had been willing to eat in this cramped room.

The dish was incredible!

The beef was sautéed perfectly—tender without being tough. Achieving such a texture required masterful control over the flame.

Once finished, Nancy said her goodbyes. Before departing, she cautioned Mag to stay alert regarding Norma.

Mag smiled and thanked her, but as soon as the door closed, he accepted Norma’s friend request.

Seeing the young woman’s profile picture and the flood of stickers she sent, Mag smiled. The fish had taken the bait.

He captured a screenshot of the chat and sent it to Xi, reporting that he had successfully established a connection with Norma for gathering intelligence.

***

“He’s already reached Norma in just half a day? Is he really that charismatic?” Xi pondered as she stared at the images Mag provided.

Regardless, it was a positive step for the mission.

Norma was the daughter of Gardner, a high-ranking member of the McCarthy Sect. He handled external relations and was a prime suspect in the disappearance of Congressman Tamm.

Using Norma as an entry point was a strategic move.

“What is your next move?” Xi messaged back.

“If your data is right, Gardner dotes on Norma. I’ll attempt to extract information about the Congressman through her.”

“Stay cautious,” Xi replied before closing the app.

***

Mag looked out his window at the McCarthy estate. His view was limited and didn't cover the private living areas of the family members.

He had most of the necessary data; he just needed a plausible excuse to finalize his findings and leave.

With three Extraordinaires protecting the manor, he had no intention of risking his life for a basic mission.

After a brief afternoon rest, Mag visited the communal area to speak with the Head Chef and inspect the kitchen facilities.

Starting tomorrow, he would be an official part of the kitchen staff in this massive compound.

Upon leaving the high-end kitchen, he received a text from Norma:

“I want you to make dinner for me. Get to my villa right now.”

“Should I make some noodles?” Mag answered.

“No noodles. I want mutton ribs—charcoal-grilled mutton ribs!” Norma sent back a voice clip immediately.

Mag thought it was her loss for skipping his noodles. He replied, “Staff aren't permitted in the core sector, I can't enter.”

“I’ve sent a car for you.”

An automated vehicle pulled up beside him just as the message arrived. The door slid open, and a synthetic voice spoke: “Hades. Identity confirmed. Please enter for transport to Miss Norma’s residence.”

Mag hesitated, messaging Norma again: “Will I be in trouble for breaking the rules if anyone sees this?”

“Your job is to cook for your boss, and you’re my private chef now. If you do well, I’ll increase your pay.”

Mag entered the vehicle, leaving her last message without a reply.

While the staff dorms were nice, Norma’s thousand-square-meter villa was essentially a pink palace.

Even in a high-tech era, the fascination with pink remained unchanged for some young women.

However, the design was tasteful. The glass exterior shone like a pink diamond—elegant and striking. The color palette was balanced so it wasn't overwhelming, showing the touch of a professional designer.

A cute maid with pink cat ears—clearly an orc—greeted Mag and led him inside.

“You don’t look very thrilled to be here,” Norma said from a large chair on a raised dais in the hall, looking down at him with crossed legs.

Mag stifled a laugh. She looked like a queen on a throne; she clearly had a flair for the dramatic.

“Since when is cooking for you considered a reward?” Mag countered.

“Obviously. Many chefs would kill for this opportunity. It’s an honor,” Norma said, tilting her head back.

“Funny enough, many people would kill to eat my food. Besides, I’m off the clock,” Mag replied casually.

Norma squinted. He wasn't lying; Mag was currently the most talked-about man in the city.

“You’re already here. You might as well do something,” Norma said, stepping down from the dais.

The platform retracted into the floor, and her "throne" shifted back into a standard sofa. She was playing a part.

“My services aren't cheap,” Mag whispered.

The little maid nearby gasped. She admired Mag’s looks but feared for him speaking to Norma so boldly.

“Expensive? I have plenty of money.” Norma tapped her wristband, opening a payment screen. “How much?”

“One million for the meal,” Mag stated.

Without blinking, Norma tapped twice, and the transfer was complete.

Mag’s device chimed. He had just earned a million.

Since he was now being paid, Mag got straight to the point. “Where is the kitchen?”

“I-I’ll show you…” the cat-eared maid stammered, still in shock that Mag had actually charged her mistress that much.

The basement kitchen in the villa was massive and fully equipped, far superior to Mag’s workstation. It featured two huge refrigerators stocked with premium ingredients.

A charcoal grill was already prepared, and a fresh rack of mutton sat on the counter, ready for prep.

Mag decided to give her exactly what she asked for. After all, the quickest way to someone's heart—or their secrets—was through their stomach.

“Do you need any assistance?” the maid asked admiringly.

“I’m fine, thank you,” Mag said, washing up and putting on an apron.

Norma eventually gave in to her curiosity and came downstairs to "examine" his progress, having the maid bring her a chair.

“So this is what it feels like to be a judge on Top Chef,” she remarked, lounging on the sofa.

Mag ignored her. He was focused on the grill, brushing on sauce as the meat began to sizzle and release a mouth-watering aroma.

Both the maid and Norma were visibly salivating.

“Water,” Norma commanded, her eyes fixed on the ribs.

The smell was intoxicating. As the meat turned golden-brown and the fat crackled over the coals, the anticipation in the room grew heavy.

Once the ribs were done, Mag plated them with precision, cutting them into smaller, manageable pieces for the ladies. A garnish of green onions finished the dish.

“It’s ready. Enjoy,” Mag announced.

Norma hurried over, unable to resist the smell. She reached for a rib immediately.

“Ouch! Hot!” She pulled back, instinctively grabbing the maid’s ears to cool her fingertips.

After a moment, she used an insulated glove to pick up a piece, blowing on it before taking a bite.

The crispy skin gave way to tender, juicy meat. The spice and fat combined for a flavor explosion that overwhelmed her senses.

“Ah~~”

A soft moan escaped her lips, causing her to blush, but the food was too good to care.

She had tasted grilled meat from the manor’s best chefs, but nothing compared to this. She realized now why Nancy had lost her cool on television. This was on a completely different level.

The smoky charcoal flavor and the secret sauce were a perfect match.

“This is incredible!” Norma praised, glancing at Mag. She finally understood why Nancy went to such lengths to protect him.

The maid was staring longingly at the food. Norma noticed and handed her a rib. “Here, try one.”

“Thank you, Miss!” The maid happily began nibbling on the meat like a squirrel.

Mag noted that despite her attitude, Norma treated her staff well.

“Let’s move to the dining room,” Norma decided after a few more bites.

The maid carefully carried the plate upstairs. Mag prepared to head back to his dorm, his task finished.

However, as they reached the first floor, another maid approached. “Miss, your Father has arrived.”

The door opened, and a lean, middle-aged man entered the room.

Mag’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained calm, stepping back to blend in with the staff.

“Father!” Norma greeted him with a smile.