Chapter 275

Look down on people. Think they're all that. Just a few words, and Lotus Smoke sounded like some untouchable elite—won a couple trophies and suddenly thought they were too good for small-time places like this. Most contestants were young, hot-headed, and the moment they heard this, they were instantly fired up. Following Nora's lead, they started voicing their complaints. "Even if Lotus Smoke isn't competing, isn't it a bit much to insult everyone like that?" "Exactly! I mean, fine, making a woman judge is whatever—these days, jobs don't care about gender. But sticking a kid like her in that seat? She even know how to handle a knife or flip a wok properly? And she gets to judge us?" "If y'all think this contest is beneath you, just don't show up. Sending someone like her—it's just plain disrespectful." The grumbling only got louder. Standing right in front, Nora had a smirk tugging at her lips. She'd tasted Claire's food—it was pretty damn good, she had to admit. Whether or not she des