During the preparation, Emily and Xiao Chen also became our valuable assistants. Emily used her public relations skills to gather more dirt on Max and his shady dealings within the family business. Xiao Chen was responsible for sourcing special ingredients...

Then there was Xiao Chen, our assistant chef at Lin's Wontons, and my loyal little fanboy. He had been visiting the studio frequently lately, saying he was there to cheer me on, but actually to provide me with "intel." He's...

By the second round of the competition, my dad's calls were like death warrants, several a day. Every time I picked up, he'd either ask about my progress or subtly inquire, "Weiwei, have you... have you met that Wang boy...

My name is Lin Wei, and I'm the chef at "Lin's Wontons" in Flushing. All my life, I've hated that flashy, over-the-top Western cuisine. But ironically, to save my dad's crumbling old restaurant and escape a ridiculous, suffocating arranged marriage,...

The trap hinged on Maloney's greed and Sylvia's vanity. Kevin's contacts spread a rumor: a wealthy, eccentric European tycoon, fascinated by New York's underground racing scene, was looking to place a massive bet on a thrilling matchup – specifically, 'Midnight...

Inside the cavernous mill, the air was thick with fumes and tension. Bare bulbs cast a sickly yellow glow on the cleared central space where two brutally modified cars sat like caged beasts, engines rumbling. A dense crowd pressed close,...

While I scrambled for Tim's life, my workplace nemesis, Sylvia "Broadcast Rose" Vanning, circled like a vulture sensing weakness. This wealthy, vapid broadcaster had always resented "Sweetheart Annie's" homespun popularity. Knight K's mysterious patronage had fueled her jealousy into outright...

A few days later, trapped in the persona of "Sweetheart Annie," I endured a charity gala hosted by the Mayor's wife. The station manager saw PR; I saw torture. Borrowing a dated but decent lavender dress from Martha, my washerwoman...

"Good afternoon, dear listeners, this is your Sweetheart Annie..." I forced the words out, aiming for sugary warmth into the battered microphone, fighting the urge to gag. Outside, New York sweltered under the afternoon sun, a cocktail of jazz and...