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
“Remember to send me the menu you’re planning for tomorrow and the list of things you’ll need.” Dominic reminded Austin before leaving.“Okay.” Austin saw him off from the door and headed back in once he was out of sight.The accommodation provided was a one-bedroom apartment with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and balcony. It was around 750 square feet and did not seem big to Austin, who was used to living in a big house. For ordinary people though, these were top-tier accommodations.It was fully equipped with all-new daily necessities too.Austin dug out his phone to take a video of the apartment and sent it to his family group chat before captioning: [This is the apartment the O’Connors provide to their chefs. It’s a pretty nice place to live in.]It could even compare to the starred hotels outside.Tania immediately called Austin.Austin had just walked into his room and was placing his bag on the bed when his phone rang. He sat down before answering his mother’
Serenity could stand up for herself too and was not ashamed of her ordinary family background.As the current head of York missus, Tania felt that Serenity would be qualified for the position in the future too. Of course, she did not want her successor under her wing right now to be bullied by her younger daughter-in-law.Tania could not count the number of times she had internally grumbled about Grandma May by now.Apart from Serenity, the other granddaughters-in-law were each more impressive than the other.This was a lot of pressure on Serenity.Who else besides her was going to dote on her own daughter-in-law? Of course she felt bad for Serenity.“Not yet. Tomorrow’s the second interview. Dominic was worried I’d get sabotaged if I stayed outside, so he picked me up ahead of time and let me stay at the manor for the night. If I pass the interview, this is exactly where I’ll be living.“Mom, it might be a little small, but these are amazing accommodations for any ordinary pers
She did not expect him to be discharged that soon.“Let him in.”Mr. and Mrs. Doyle were not awake yet. They would not stop Dylan from entering. With Imogen’s orders, Wendy quickly called the security booth and told the security to let Dylan in. Imogen stood at her door a few minutes later and watched his car stop before her. “Why are you discharged?” Imogen asked as soon as Dylan got out of the car. He was still coughing.Imogen frowned. His body belonged to himself. Who would love him if he did not know how to care for himself?“I feel much better after spending two days in the hospital on IV drips. The doctor said I could be discharged and gave me three days’ supply of medication. If I’m not fully recovered after finishing the medicines, I can return to get more.“The doctor said I should be fine after this round of medication. He also said I’m generally healthy and that my condition only got that severe because I ate a lot of chili peppers in one sitting.“I have to e
Imogen smiled. “Stop teasing him, Layla. He doesn’t eat spicy food at all. Eating that much chili peppers can be deadly for him.“I’ll be heading back to work today. I can’t take care of him at the hospital every day. I don’t want to let him think that I’ve accepted him just because he ate chili peppers once.”Layla said, “That’s right. You can’t be tricked by his pity play.”“Dylan didn’t torture himself to gain my pity, Layla. He was hospitalized because he ate the chili peppers. His fever, cough, and sore throat are all real. His voice is still hoarse when he speaks.”Imogen could not help but defend Dylan.Layla replied, “Look at you. I only criticize him a little, yet you’re already defending him.“Jen, the person who falls first will always be at a disadvantage.“Listen to me. Don’t dedicate anything to this relationship before Dylan falls in love with you as who you are. Don’t be manipulated by him.“You’re usually sharp and capable, yet you seem to lose all rationality
“Why do you want to see me? Didn’t you see enough of me yesterday? Besides, I’m not your beloved Miss Fox. You said it yourself—no matter how you tried and put in the effort, you couldn’t love me.“I’m just a good friend to your sisters-in-law, and Grandma May specifically called me to ask me to look after you for a day. That’s the only reason I did it.“Dylan, I’m not going back to you.”It was he who said that he did not love her. She had fallen for him, but when he said he did not love her, she hid her feelings.Now, he had realized that she was Chameleon Fox and the person he truly loved had always been her. Imogen had been more or less jealous of her own self all this time.If he had not fallen for Imogen but proceeded to get together with her, then it would feel like he was treating her as a substitute. Fox was Imogen, and Imogen was Fox—but she had still stubbornly distinguished the two.“I know, Imogen,” Dylan said softly.He did not assume he had won her over just bec
The night passed peacefully.The next morning, Dylan woke up. He had been woken by the heat.The room was heated, and he had bundled himself up tightly before going to sleep. By midnight, he had started sweating, but he continued to sleep, so by morning, he was feeling too hot and woke up.“Imogen…” He instinctively called out her name.His voice was still hoarse, but it was much better than yesterday. When he received no answer, he remembered that Imogen had gone home last night. He was alone in the hospital.Late last night, his mother had called him, but only to laugh at him.Now, all alone, in a strange place, and sick, Dylan felt just a tiny bit homesick. It was much more comfortable at Wildridge Manor, after all. When all the York boys were home, it was lively and warm. There was his nana to fuss over him, and even though his parents liked to make jabs at him, they still cared deeply for him.It felt boring at home, but once he left, he realized how warm home really was.
Sasha chimed in, “Exactly. It’s fine to laugh in front of us, but you laughed so loudly on the call too. Dylan is hurt both physically and emotionally, and no one is comforting him.”Rosella responded, “But Imogen is there to take care of him. She’ll comfort him.”Sasha sighed. “It’s so late now. Imogen needs to go back and rest, doesn’t she? Dylan hasn’t even won her over yet, so how could Imogen stay the entire night in the hospital with him?”Grandma May laughed, “You ladies know it’s late too, so why aren’t you three going back to your rooms to rest? Fortunately, the rooms are big enough that we can all chat here without disturbing anyone.“Remember, we’re guests. We mustn’t disturb the rest of the Johnsons just because we’ve come.”The three sisters-in-law glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight.As the eldest sister-in-law, Tania led the way. She stood up and said to Grandma May, “Mom, we’ll head back to rest now. Tomorrow, let’s go out and walk around.”The scenery a
“Mom, I’m your real son!”“If you weren’t, I wouldn’t even bother with you and don’t even want to make this call.”Rosella added, “Alright, now that I know you’re fine, I can relax. Be good to Imogen, she’s a really good girl. I like her a lot. I hope you can get together this year.“Once you’re finally not single anymore, it should be about time for your younger brother to start dating too. Once all three of you are out of the bachelor’s club, all I have to do is wait for my first grandchild to be born.“I’ve saved up a lot of money for both your weddings, though honestly, I don’t think you’ll need it. You all are capable enough to make your own money to get married, so the money I saved for you can go toward my granddaughter instead.“I don’t even know if I’ll be fortunate enough to have a granddaughter.” Rosella sighed. “After seeing little Clo-clo, I finally understand why your nana is so fixated on her and wants to kidnap her. “That kid is so cute. She’s pretty, adorable,
Imogen had been really worried that Dylan’s reaction to the chili peppers would leave him suffering for several days.“Okay,” Dylan hoarsely replied.Imogen let him eat the porridge by himself. There was nothing else to go with it, but the porridge had a little bit of salt sprinkled in, giving it some flavor.Dylan was hungry, so he quickly finished the bowl of oatmeal porridge. “Do you want more? There’s another bowl’s worth in the thermos.”Dylan shook his head. It was late, and he did not want to eat too much, afraid of gaining weight and ruining his good physique. He still had not won over his future wife, so he had to take care of his figure and maintain his handsome and charming look.Once Dylan finished the IV fluids and took his medicine, Imogen finally left the hospital around ten o’clock. Having slept twice in the day, Dylan was not able to fall asleep again, and Imogen did not let him accompany her downstairs, so he stood by the window and watched her walk out of th
A few minutes later, Imogen took the thermometer from under Dylan’s arm and looked at it. She said to him, “It’s 100.4. Your fever hasn’t completely gone down yet, but compared to when you were admitted at 103.64, it’s come down quite a bit.“What time did you take your medicine? It should be time for your next dose.”Dylan shook his head, indicating that he did not remember when he had taken the medicine.Imogen thought for a moment and said, “I think it’s about time. Take your medicine first, then sleep for a while. I’ll have dinner brought over for you. In your condition, you can only have something light, maybe some oatmeal porridge.”Considering Dylan’s sore throat, Imogen knew he would not be able to eat much, so she called home and asked the housekeeper to bring over dinner, specifically requesting a bowl of oatmeal porridge for Dylan.Dylan could only nod in response.After giving instructions to her housekeeper, Imogen looked at Dylan, who could only nod, and said, “The
Kade had once been so gentle and kind. Was he really that kind of person?Imogen did not believe so.It was possible that the Butcher elders were simply being too pragmatic. Seeing that Maria’s family was on the verge of decline, they thought that Maria was not worthy of Kade and tried to stop them from being together.But wait—Maria said that Kade had never told her he loved her or anything of the sort. Maria had basically been secretly in love with Kade, waiting for him to confess, but she had waited in vain all this time.Imogen internally sighed. What a mess. She could not understand what was the problem between them. She would just have to wait until Kade came back, and then she would find a chance to get some answers from him. “Imogen…” A hoarse voice called out from within the room. It was not very loud; he could not speak loudly. Though it was better than this morning when all he could get out were moans.He had received several bags of IV fluids, which had had some eff