Chapter 198 She’s Not That Girl Anymore
It wasn’t even business hours yet.
Pearts
Caroline shook her head. “No idea, but I’m guessing they’ve got something urgent to talk about. Help me tidy up while I deal with them.”
Maia gave a quick nod and a small smile. “Got it, Caroline.”
As they approached, Alaina and Liam stood up to greet her.
Alaina greeted her with a sheepish grin. “Seriously, Caroline? You opened a whole restaurant and didn’t tell your own family?”
Caroline shot her a cool glance as she unlocked the door. “Doesn’t matter how big it is. It’s mine. Why would I tell you?”
Her sharp tone erased the smile from Alaina’s face. “What do you mean, ‘why‘? Opening a place like this is huge. We would’ve helped if we’d known.”
The door clicked open. Maia slipped inside, heading straight for the kitchen to start cleaning. As she walked away, she shot Alaina a couple of exaggerated eye–rolls and muttered, “Nobody’s that helpful without a reason… definitely scheming something.”
Caroline already knew the flattery was fake. She had no time or patience for games. “If you’ve got something to say, come in and say it,” she said bluntly.
Alaina and Liam sat at one of the tables. Caroline took the seat across.
Liam glanced around the restaurant. “So how much did it cost to open this place?”
Caroline shrugged. “Little over a hundred grand. But that’s not your concern. If there’s a point to this, spit it out. I’ve got work to do.”
She meant it. She hadn’t expected business to be this good so soon after opening.
Since the restaurant opened, it felt like she hadn’t had a single moment to herself from clock–in to closing every day.
Liam wasn’t too happy with how cold she was being and was ready to snap back, but Alaina cut in.
“I know you’re busy, so I’ll keep it short. Here’s the thing, our company shut down, and neither Edwin nor Liam has landed anything decent. They heard about your success and thought–why not rent the spot next door? Open a big family restaurant together. It’d bring in more money, and you wouldn’t have to do everything alone.”
Her eyes sparkled like it was already settled.
Caroline smiled politely, but inside, something sank.
It felt like things were drifting back onto the same path as her past life.
A family restaurant? She’d lived that life once before, worked herself to the bone in the kitchen while the rest sat around raking in cash.
No way in hell was she doing something that stupid again.
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Chapter 198 She’s Not That Girl Anymore
Just remembering it was enough to wipe the smile off her face.
8 Pears
She stared at the two of them across the table, her expression flattened and her voice cold. “I just want to run this little place and make a living. So, sorry but
She stopped mid–sentence. The disappointment on Alaina’s face was already visible.
Alaina leaned in, taking her hand with a forced sweetness. “Oh, Caroline, come on. You’re too talented to waste your skills on a tiny spot like this. Customers love your food, but some don’t come back because it’s too small. You’re turning money away. That’s bad luck. This place won’t last. But with a big restaurant, we could bring all those customers back. And if the whole family is involved, you won’t have to stress. It’s a win- win. Don’t you think?”
Caroline gave a measured nod. “So in that case, I wouldn’t need to cook anymore? I could just hire chefs?”
In her past life, when they opened that big restaurant, she tried to keep up in the kitchen alone.
But what had Edwin said back then?
Edwin had insisted that since the restaurant had just opened, it was crucial to build a reputation. Only her food would build it.
She’d nearly destroyed herself, hands cramping and body breaking, but they wouldn’t let her stop.
Later, when she truly couldn’t manage alone anymore, she hired two assistants just to help her prep.
It wasn’t until they opened the first branch that Edwin finally let her take on an apprentice, but even then, that apprentice only handled the easy dishes.
Alaina frowned. “That won’t work. People come for your cooking. If you stop, it’s just another generic restaurant. Regulars will leave.”
Caroline’s smile turned cold. A minute ago, Alaina claimed the family plan would help her, that it would be all benefit, no downside.
Now she was saying nothing could change, Caroline would still be stuck in the kitchen, doing it all herself.
And that was supposed to be easier?
Right.
She stood, done with the conversation. “This place works just fine. I don’t want to change it. If that’s all, I’ve got things to do. You should head out.”
Send Gifts
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