Chapter 497: Chapter 497: Playing with Me? (2 chapters combined into one)

“Yeah, who would dare to associate with her after seeing her play both sides like this?”

“That’s probably what Yellen was talking about with Iris. She seems gentle on the surface and gets along well with everyone, but she’s nothing compared to Cindy who, even though she doesn’t seem close to others, is willing to help when it really matters.”

“This shows that Cindy is genuinely a good person.”

The other contestants were still waiting for the judges’ comments at their cooking stations, and they all cast their eyes on Iris.

They used to get along well with her.

They had no idea Iris was this kind of person.

In the breakthrough seats, the expressions of the other two contestants were also a little surprised as they looked at Cindy.

They thought Iris was a nice person, who was always pleasant to be around. But she turned her back on people when they actually needed her help.

They thought Cindy had a bad temper, was always causing trouble, and argued with others. But she turned out to be very loyal at crucial moments, without any hesitation.

They had indeed misjudged her.

Thinking of their previous attitude towards Cindy, they felt awkward for a moment.

While a screen was playing back the action, the main screen continued to broadcast the live scene.

At this point, the judges had finished tasting Yellen’s cuisine and tasted Joseph’s.

“I remember when you put the fish in the steamer.” Wesley Gordon said, “The fish you chose was quite large, and the steaming time was actually quite risky. It’s possible that it won’t be cooked through.”

Joseph replied, “I got injured in the Middle, so I was a little slow.”

“As a professional chef, it’s not that you can’t get injured. However, being so careless as to get a fishbone stuck under your fingernail only shows that you were not focused enough at the time.” Hunter Clarke said, “Therefore, this cannot be an excuse for your cuisine’s failure.”

Joseph was a little upset.

The judges hadn’t even tasted his dish, so how could they be sure his cuisine had failed?

But he didn’t consider that the Five Judges were all highly experienced head chefs.

How could they not tell the fundamental matter of how long it takes to steam a fish of this size?

“Let’s verify if it’s cooked or not.” Michael Greene brought over a small knife and cut into the thickest part of the fish belly.

Upon pulling the fish meat apart, a hint of pink color was visible in the center of the fish.

The fish meat had not turned white, nor had it cooked into flakey pieces.

“The facts prove that your fish is indeed not cooked through.” Michael Greene put the knife to the side and didn’t pick up his chopsticks again. “This isn’t an error that a professional chef should make.”

None of the other four judges picked up their chopsticks either.

“If they could give me just two more minutes, only two minutes…” Joseph said eagerly.

“However, this is a Competition, and everyone has the same amount of time. It’s impossible to give you an extra two minutes, even if your hand is injured.” Hunter Clarke said bluntly, “Moreover, your hand injury is due to your own carelessness, so you have to take responsibility.”

“But… but only the inside is uncooked, most of the outside is cooked.” Joseph said, “Could you give me a chance? Please have a taste. It really is delicious.”

“I’ve been working on this dish for a long time.” Joseph said.

Wesley Gordon said, “The fish isn’t even cooked, so no matter how good it tastes, we won’t try it.”

“Would you serve uncooked food to customers in a restaurant?” Rosaline Parker said coldly.

“I announce that in the seventh group, Yellen Brooks wins.” Wesley Gordon said.

As it turned out, not one of the Five Judges tasted Joseph’s cuisine.

Joseph’s hands clenched tightly into fists.

Yellen thanked the judges and hurried to the breakthrough seats.

She grinned at Cindy from a distance as she approached.

When she sat next to Cindy, she whispered her thanks again, “Thank you. If you hadn’t given me the green onions and ginger, I would have been eliminated.”

“You’re welcome.” Cindy graciously accepted her thanks.

As Joseph walked toward the elimination seats in a daze, he couldn’t accept the fact that he had been eliminated.

He had ranked at the top and had breathed a sigh of relief when he had been drawn to be in a group with Yellen before the Competition.

He thought he had a sure win today.

Who knew that he would lose!

It was all because of Cindy!

When he arrived at the elimination seats, Joseph couldn’t bring himself to sit down.

He suddenly turned around and stared directly at Cindy.

If it weren’t for her meddling, he wouldn’t have lost his focus.

How could he have been injured and made such a basic mistake as not cooking the fish completely?

Indeed, earlier, Cindy had blocked the door to the pantry, further wasting much of their time.

Otherwise, there would have been enough time!

It’s all because of Cindy that he was eliminated!

As Iris watched Joseph’s reaction from the elimination seats, she added fuel to the fire, “Cindy is awesome, taking out anyone who doesn’t get along with her, one by one. I wonder who else doesn’t like her? Their turn to be eliminated should be coming up soon.”

Joseph suddenly turned his gaze to Iris.

“Not coming in to sit?” Iris looked at him lazily. “It’s done now, and whether you accept it or not, the judges won’t change their decision. Instead, you should think about what to do next.”

“What’s next?” Joseph finally snapped out of it.

At this point, he couldn’t keep standing outside forever.

With great reluctance, he finally entered the elimination seats.

“Since you’ve been eliminated, are you willing to just watch Cindy eliminate whoever opposes her one by one?” Iris whispered.

“When Zoe and I were still here, your hostility towards Cindy wasn’t obvious. But today, you were rude to her several times. And as a result, you were eliminated today. Don’t you find that coincidental?”

Joseph clenched his jaw.

“To be honest, if it wasn’t for Cindy’s meddling, even if your fish still wasn’t cooked in the end, Yellen’s dish would have flaws as well. Without the green onions and ginger to remove the fishy smell, her dish wouldn’t have been as delicious.” Iris whispered, “So, in the end, it’s really hard to say who would have advanced.”

“It’s not like it is now, you being eliminated without a hint of suspense.” Iris whispered.

Iris reminded Joseph once more.

Joseph immediately asked, “What do you plan to do?”

“What can I do? I’ve been eliminated too, and I don’t even know if I’ll ever see Cindy again.” Iris chuckled.

“Then why mention it to me?” Joseph said coldly. “Are you teasing me?”

“You see, it’s that impatience of yours that causes you to suffer at the hands of Cindy.” Iris said, “As for what to do in the future, no one can say for sure. Isn’t it better to wait and see once the Competition is over? If you ask me so suddenly now, I don’t have any ideas.”