Austin did not want to invite the father and daughter into his room. He told them, “Please wait for a moment, Mr. Abbot. I’ll get my phone, and we can have a nice chat with a cup of coffee at the cafe on the first floor.”Weston smiled. “Sure.”Austin returned to his room and took his phone before heading out again. “Let’s go. The coffee’s on me.”After closing the door, Austin led the way with Weston and Jovanne behind him. Weston caught up to him and said apologetically, “Coffee should be on us. I’m the one intruding on your time, so I should be the one paying.”Austin smiled. “A cup of coffee doesn’t cost much. You don’t have to fight with me over this.”Weston smiled. His young competitor was pretty nice. He wondered how well Austin could cook. Weston had a strong desire to be the O’Connor family’s chef. It was for the money and fame. After graduating, he had been refining his cooking skills and worked in the industry for over twenty years. He thought of himsel
Grandma May would always say that she did not have much time left to eat due to her old age. She wanted them to stop controlling her and leave her to eat whatever she wanted.Even Zachary would lose to the eloquent Old Mrs. York, let alone her younger grandsons. Sometimes, Grandma May would feel smug and say that she was the one who raised all her grandsons. They could never escape her grasp, so they should not even think of controlling her. Jovanne said, “I shall have some then. I don’t know how good the desserts here are.”She loved making desserts. She ran a dessert store, and business was booming. Austin’s attentiveness had left a good impression on Jovanne. She ordered a few desserts based on her preference. After the waiter took their orders, Weston explained, “I happened to see you when you went for the interview at the O’Connors’ as I was nearby. Actually, I came out before it was your turn to go in.”Weston did not know how he did in the interview.As he was an
Upon hearing Weston’s recount, Austin thought Weston’s mental fortitude was not strong enough. Austin himself had received many criticisms. Whenever his nana thought his food tasted terrible, she would tell him to redo it over and over again. There was once when he failed to satisfy her with her favorite dish even after ten attempts. In the end, Grandma May gave up on eating it. He did not find it traumatic but reflected on his shortcomings instead. It made him realize that the food he made was not as delicious as he had imagined. The constant experimentation and improvement had shaped him into who he was that day. Since Austin was not close to Weston, and they were competitors, he did not say much and remained a listener. He listened as Weston described how much time he took to recover from the shock Ms. O’Connor’s comment had caused. Weston said, “At my second interview, Ms. O’Connor had already become the head of the family. She’s truly an amazing young girl. She was
Austin then asked Weston, “Don’t you think so, Mr. Abbot? Did you also apply for this job because it’s challenging and brings fame?”Weston was stunned momentarily. He then grinned and said, “That’s right. Becoming the O’Connor family’s chef does improve one’s reputation.“I’m also tempted by the salary and benefits they offer. I need the money.”The salary offered by the O’Connors was comparable to the amount received by a highly-ranked employee in a mega-corporation. Austin nodded in understanding. At that moment, the waiter served their coffee and desserts. Jovanne went for the desserts first. She chewed, wanting to taste every ingredient used. Austin guessed that the young Jovanne liked making desserts. Once she tasted a good dessert, she would try to guess the recipe via her tastebuds and experiment with the recipe herself. Austin often did that. As chefs, they all had an impressive sense of taste. “Dad, the desserts here are great. You should try them out.”Jova
“Mr. York, did you get a call back for another round of interview?” Weston asked Austin again.After a pause, Austin answered honestly, “The butler, Dominic, did call me back not long ago for a second interview tomorrow afternoon.”Weston immediately looked envious, but still said graciously, “Congratulations are due then, Mr. York. There aren’t many applicants this time around. They’re all staying in the hotels nearby and I’ve met them too. None of them have been called back. Some haven’t even gone for the first interview yet.”Austin chuckled. “You’ve already met them all? They’re your competition. How are you sure that they’ve told you the truth?”Weston was stunned for a moment before he said, “We can’t lie about coming for an interview and can’t play any underhanded tricks anyway. We might be competitors, but it doesn’t affect anyone else whether or not they tell the truth. There’s nothing to lose either.“Even if everyone makes the same dish, we won’t do it the same way. It
Austin told Dominic which hotel he was currently staying at.Dominic answered, “Please wait in the lobby momentarily. I will arrange for someone to pick you up.”Austin raised his eyebrows and asked, “Right now? Has the interview been brought forward?”Dominic explained, “No, the interview timing remains. Ms. Isabella instructed me to do this because she says that malicious people have made a big deal out of this hiring and countless people are watching. We’re worried that one of your competitors will get to you and make you unable to attend the interview tomorrow.“So, to make sure every single interviewee attends as scheduled, Ms. Isabella has instructed me to welcome you to stay the night in the estate.“You are the first to be called for a second interview, so naturally, you are the first to be invited for the stay. We’ll ensure that none of your food gets drugged or poisoned lest you get diarrhea or the sort.”Austin was struck speechless, but he went along with it.They were ju
Weston mused, “I feel like Mr. York isn’t an ordinary person.”“What is he, if not? He can’t be Superman, now can he?”Weston did not reply to that.He just felt that Austin had a dignified air, different from ordinary chefs like them.“Dad, are we going to visit someone else?”“They’ve got their guards up against us, so no. This time, I have a feeling that it’s Mr. York’s win.” Weston sighed. He was ultimately inferior.Jovanne comforted, “Dad, the O’Connors haven’t announced the results yet. No one knows who’ll have the last laugh. Mr. York’s nerves might get the better of him and he might make a mistake during his second interview.”“He won’t. He’s young, but he looks mature and steady, like someone who’s seen it all.” Weston had a very good impression of his competitor Austin.Meanwhile, his daughter felt that Austin only had his good looks to speak for him.However, it was true that he was a shrewd guy.Everyone was just headed for the same goal. They would meet once or
It was not cold in the whole of Georgia during winter and not just Wiltspoon. Though it was a little colder in the neighboring provinces.“It’s alright. It’s not that cold if I don’t go outside.”There was heating in the hotel, so he did not feel cold.In the hotel room, he only needed to wear a long-sleeve shirt and did not even need a jacket.Meanwhile, at Dunboy Manor, there would be heating everywhere apart from the yard, and would not be cold either.He was applying to be a chef, so he would naturally be working in the kitchen, which was indoors. Even if it were freezing outside, it would be warm inside.Once he got busy, he might even feel hot enough to sweat.“Is it truly not cold in Wiltspoon in the winter?” Dominic asked. “I’ve never been to Georgia. I just know that it’s a very wealthy province and Wiltspoon is a big city.”“It might not be cold for you guys, but to us, it feels cold if the temperature drops even a little. And there are wealthy and poor people everywh
When Austin reached the door, he stopped and turned to say, “Ms. Isabella, I only care about my future wife. Other young women are simply strangers to me.“I’m polite to other women when I need to be. If they’re unimportant, I’ll ignore them. Even if that woman is my boss, I won’t cross any lines. If I do, there must be a reason behind it.“Get some rest, Ms. Isabella. You might have a headache when you wake up tomorrow. I’ll prepare a warm honey drink for you in the morning.”After speaking, Austin left. Isabella turned to look at where he last stood. What did his words mean?He said he only cared about his future wife.Aside from this lady, he would not step out of line with any other young woman, even if she were his boss. What did he mean by crossing lines?Was it showing concern? Did he mean that if his boss was a young woman but not his fiancée, he would simply do what was required of him without any personal feelings involved? Was that what he meant?If so, was
Isabella was cold sometimes, but that was not her true personality. She was a reasonable person. Austin was not worried that he would be mistreated as a live-in son-in-law. “Ms. Isabella.”Isabella looked toward him and waited for him to speak. He asked, “This may be abrupt, but may I ask what your ideal type is?”Isabella was stunned. Why did the question come to her? What was the type of man she liked?‘Someone like Austin,’ she thought. After a moment of silence, she said, “I like men who are capable, responsible, and have correct values. Even if his family isn’t as financially well-off as mine, I don’t mind so long as he’s honest, competent, and sincere about his feelings for me.“Of course, it’ll be great if we have the same social status. That way, we’ll have similar perspectives and more common topics. If we get married, we’ll be joining forces instead of it being a one-way financial aid.”“Although you can accept someone who isn’t from a similar family backgrou
After a moment of silence, Isabella said, “It’s okay. I know I was forcing it.”There was no point in asking Austin if he did not want to reveal anything. If he wanted to tell her, he would do so without her asking. However, her curiosity spiked with his silence. She was eager to know who his fiancée was. He was already so protective of his fiancée even though he had not met her before. It made Isabella jealous. It was her first time feeling that kind of emotion throughout her life. Although it was not a strong feeling, she still felt it. “You weren’t forcing me to tell you. You were simply curious. Most people have a curious side. It’s only natural for you to be inquisitive as well.”Austin said gently, “It’s not just you. Those who knew that my nana had chosen fiancées for my brothers and me were also curious about who the ladies were.“To be honest, we didn’t even know Nana had been choosing fiancées for us since a few years ago until she handed their pictures to us
“You can drink it now. It’ll turn cold if left aside for longer.”Isabella took the ginger ale and drank it with elegance. She put it down after drinking half of it. “I’m drunk, but only slightly. I can walk, and my brain is still alert. I know what I’m doing and saying.“I’ve had enough ginger ale.”She did not want to consume too much liquid late at night. “Which family is your fiancée from, Austin? Where is she? Do you mind telling me?”Isabella was insistent on getting answers. Austin had never told her when she had asked him about it before. He kept saying he would focus on working and that he was not in a rush to get married. After all, he was only in his twenties; Zachary only got married at thirty years old. If he was unsuccessful in wooing his fiancée that year, he did not mind waiting for a few more years. Isabella suddenly felt jealous of Austin’s fiancée, having had his heart without even doing anything. She wondered what Austin’s fiancée had done to cat
Austin stared into Isabella’s eyes. He could detect some feelings in her gaze, but it was not obvious enough. What she felt for him was still mostly admiration. It was not the right time for him to confess yet. He would continue to wait. “You’re the best and most outstanding lady in my heart, Ms. Isabella. I admire you more.”Austin added gently, “You give off a strict and cold aura sometimes, but you’re always a nice person in my eyes.”Isabella had treated him well ever since he became her private chef. It only got better after she discovered he was a young master of the Yorks. Austin believed her when she said she viewed him as a friend because her actions reflected it as well. However, he was not content with being just friends. He wanted to be her husband. He wanted her to trust him and love him forever. He would also reciprocate her feelings and trust. Isabella smiled. “Even my parents are scared and avoid me when I’m in a serious mode. Louis and Phillip w
Austin responded, “Don’t worry, Ms. Edith. I’ll take good care of Ms. Isabella.”Edith had come in a hurry and left just as quickly. The hidden meaning in her cousin’s words was not lost on Isabella, but she did not comment on it.She allowed Austin to accompany her into the house. The lights were still on inside, but the first floor was empty. Everyone else had already gone to bed.Since Isabella had not returned yet, the housekeeper had left the lights on for her.The house was warm, so once inside, Isabella took off Austin’s coat and handed it back to him.Austin accepted the coat and followed her to the sofa. After she had sat down, he asked gently, “Ms. Isabella, would you like some ginger ale for a hangover remedy?”Isabella rubbed her temples and said, “Yes, please. I don’t want to wake up with a splitting headache tomorrow.”Austin immediately went to prepare it for her.Isabella leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes to rest. After some time, she heard Austin’s
Isabella’s bodyguard had only called out to her, not daring to touch her, so she had not woken up. However, when Austin gently patted her face and called her, she woke up almost immediately. When she opened her eyes and saw Austin’s handsome face, Isabella was momentarily dazed, thinking she was dreaming about him.She had actually dreamed about Austin. Had she developed feelings for him? If she had not, why would she dream about him? In all her life, this was the first time she had dreamed about a man. Isabella wanted to touch Austin’s face, but as she raised her hand, she realized she was not dreaming.Austin was real. She could smell the fresh scent on him because they were so close.He had showered.Isabella quietly lowered her hand, hoping Austin had not noticed her earlier intention, lest he misunderstood.“Ms. Isabella,” Austin’s warm and pleasant voice reached her ears, making her want to close her eyes and go back to sleep. With him around, she felt safe and secure.
Hunter had neither money nor power. What could he possibly use to save his sons?“Dad, go home. When the trial starts, we’ll send someone to pick you up so you can attend and observe.”Hunter stood up angrily and stormed off.After he left, Ellie asked Ava, “Are we really not going to do anything? My child is still young. Having a father in prison will always be a stain on their life.”“What can we do? Even if we wanted to save them, we don’t have the means. We know what Caroline is like. She’s not going to let this go lightly this time,” Ava replied. “Anyway, think about last year, when they were caught cheating. How did they treat us then?”Remembering the events from last year, Ellie said, “Let them serve a few years in prison, then. Ava, Caroline is in the hospital. Should we go visit her?”“We should. Let’s go tomorrow. We’ll call Emma and visit Caroline together. The Fisher family is full of terrible people, but Caroline still has some conscience. She’s always been kind t
Hunter was momentarily speechless. He did not have much money. When Belinda was alive, he never had more than five hundred dollars on him. After his children grew up, he secretly asked them for money. During that time, he had money to spend freely, living a lavish life outside.However, all that money had been spent. He had no savings, mainly because he was used to spending extravagantly.He had been unable to save money. He did not own any shops or properties either; Belinda had kept him on a tight leash.The house in their hometown had been built with Belinda’s money, but it was not under his name. It was under his three sons’ names.After Belinda’s death, his sons supported him. Each son gave him over a hundred thousand dollars a month for living expenses.Combined, that was several hundred thousand dollars a month, allowing him to live comfortably in Ashford. He had managed to save a little, but not much, just over a million dollars in total. Hiring the best lawyers for h