-Good afternoon, everyone, my lovely followers! As you requested, today I’m going to show you how to prepare a delicious and hearty sturgeon dinner to impress your husband. I’m not going for a simple fish soup or a baked pie—those are far too ordinary. I’ve got a perfect cut from the middle of the fish right here. It’s just the thing for this recipe. And if the store selling such fresh, high-quality sturgeon wants to attract more customers, they know who to call for a shout-out.
A stunning blonde woman with refined, aristocratic features and her hair neatly tied into a ballerina bun at the nape of her neck flashed an encouraging smile at her audience. The viewer count was climbing rapidly. The cameraman gave a thumbs-up and subtly glanced to the left.
And Maria gracefully turned in the indicated direction, showcasing her flawless profile and elegant, swan-like neck.
The camera, which was just a smartphone in the hands of a young, athletic blond man, tilted downward slightly to capture Maria in all her glory—dressed in chic ballet flats and a form-fitting jumpsuit that would make any runway model green with envy.
No aprons or headscarves here. She wasn’t just a cook. She was the wife of a successful businessman, and this was her stylish outfit for culinary endeavors.
The guy with the smartphone had to crouch down to avoid filming from above. Shooting from a high angle wouldn’t do justice to the length of the gorgeous chef’s legs, and the envy factor—crucial for boosting views—wouldn’t hit the right note.
Maria smiled, revealing perfectly straight, white teeth, and continued in a warm, welcoming tone.
-Here’s what we’ve got lined up for dinner. We need to hurry. My husband is coming home a bit earlier today, and I like to have everything ready by the time he arrives. That way, there’s no need to reheat or cool anything down.
She stepped back from the marble-topped counter. The cameraman zoomed in on the fish resting on a simple yet elegant cutting board, alongside spices and other ingredients arranged in sleek, transparent glass jars with tight lids.
The still life was striking, bursting with freshness and vibrant, contrasting colors.
-To me, this is what family care looks like, - the beauty said, flashing her perfect smile once more. - We won’t waste time waiting around. A light dinner, and then we’re off to a premiere.
Maria held up a piece of cod to the camera. It was the cheapest white fish available at the nearby supermarket. But her viewers didn’t know that. Most of them probably had no idea what sturgeon fillet even looked like. They were the countless victims of the urge to appear more successful and affluent than they really were.
Many of them watched with desperate envy, resenting the blogger who had lucked out with a wealthy marriage and now, out of sheer boredom, ran a cooking channel. She showcased delicious, healthy dishes made with ingredients her viewers couldn’t afford on a regular basis—or even for special occasions. Yet they watched and commented, hoping one day they’d need these recipes, and also because envy and peeking through the keyhole are hard habits to break.
-Here are our ingredients, - the young woman said in a melodic voice. She presented each item to the camera one by one, holding them up with hands adorned with a flawless manicure. She made sure to angle her delicate, elegant fingers for maximum visibility, while the contents of the jars remained somewhat obscured.
Sturgeon (steak, 250 g) – 1 piece,
Olive oil – 3 tablespoons for the marinade and 2 tablespoons plus 2 tablespoons of butter for frying,
Lemon juice – from half a lemon,
Quail eggs – 3 pieces,
Flour – 2 tablespoons, pepper, salt, saffron, and a blend of herbs for fish that you love, my dear viewers. But be careful. This fish has a delicate flavor, and too many spices can ruin it.
-And now, let’s get to the cooking, - the beauty announced in a polished, professional tone.
The cameraman stifled a laugh and pointed at the sleek surface of a modern stovetop.
Maria walked over to it, tapped a few settings, and placed a transparent glass skillet on the surface.
Everything looked impeccable and visually stunning. Her viewers could admire the process as Maria continued to demonstrate, narrating her actions with ease.
The haters watched closely, hoping she’d slip up or say something ridiculous. But once again, they were disappointed.
-Season the prepared sturgeon steak with salt and pepper, then marinate it in a mix of olive oil and juice from half a lemon. Let it sit in a cool place for about 30 minutes. I did this ahead of time so we don’t waste any during the live stream, - the food blogger chirped. - Now, we’ll coat the sturgeon in flour, dip it in a lightly beaten egg, and then dredge it in flour again. All that’s left is to fry the steak in a preheated mix of olive oil and butter—on both sides until it’s done. Note, dear viewers, that a thicker steak can be finished in the oven. Bon appétit! Fried sturgeon steak…
The cameraman secured the camera and went to change clothes.
The broadcast went as usual. Views kept climbing, and comments poured in—both positive and negative.
The most active haters managed to boost the ratings to unprecedented heights, spewing venom in the comments by the bucketload.
The cameraman had already changed into a sharp office suit, ready to rush off to a meeting with a potential sponsor without being late.
And then, a bombshell dropped.
Mikey, a rosy-cheeked, dark-eyed toddler who had been sweetly napping in a neighbor’s arms during the stream, suddenly woke up, whimpered, and toddled quickly—though a bit unsteadily—toward his mom.
The cameraman managed to scoop up the little boy before he stumbled into the frame. Maria had nearly finished saying goodbye to her beloved viewers. But he miscalculated and stood up with Mikey in his arms. The child clearly said “Mama” and grinned, showing off his first teeth to the audience, along with a faint, barely noticeable resemblance to the man holding him. The man was blond and blue-eyed, unlike Mikey. But their shared mischievous, triumphant expressions and relaxed demeanor hinted at a connection.
To avoid ruining the stream, the cameraman had to step closer to Maria, lean in for a staged kiss, hand her the child, wave to the viewers, and exit the frame.
The audience was stunned by the scene. A woman’s dream. A girl’s downfall. An aristocratic nose, a stylish haircut, a flawless suit, the movements and physique of an athlete. Mmm. The kind of man you’d only feed sturgeon to.
-He’s clearly the one earning for her, unlike…
In short, they’d now be watching the streams even more closely, right to the end, hoping to catch another glimpse of this dreamboat.
And then everyone saw the final comment. The channel wouldn’t lose its popularity anytime soon.
Horned emojis, pitchforks, and a promise to tear apart everything detachable on the “traitor.”
-So you’ve got a kid, you jerk! And I trusted you!!1 - concluded the threat from a subscriber with the username Mimosa.