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
“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’
Zachary was also worried that Serenity would go into premature labor out of shock. He also persuaded her to go for her checkup in a gentle voice. They could not do anything but wait anyway.Serenity finally decided to conduct her prenatal checkup first. Zachary accompanied her. Just moments after they left, the door to the delivery suite opened. A nurse stood there and shouted, “Is Jasmine Sox’s husband here?”“Yes. I’m her husband,” replied Josh quickly. He dashed to the nurse. “You must save Jas, doctor. Save the mother no matter what.”His family members behind him also echoed, “That’s right. No matter what happens, you have to save Jasmine.”The nurse said, “The mother is fine. It’s just that she wants her husband to accompany her as she’s in a lot of pain.”Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.Josh was about to rush inside but was stopped by the nurse.She asked him to change his clothes before taking him inside the delivery suite.Jasmine was wailing in pain. When
With advanced medical technology, a premature baby could still be healthy if taken good care of in the incubator. Serenity said, “Jasmine should be at thirty-five weeks. I just don’t understand why she would suddenly go into labor. Did she fall at home?“Or did she eat something that made her go into labor?”Zachary said, “That’s most likely not the case. Josh’s cousin is Jasmine’s dietician and keeps an eye on her food every day. There’s no way Jasmine would’ve eaten something bad unless she ate it secretly.”Serenity and Zachary suddenly went silent. Pregnant women had weird appetites. Once they had a craving, they could not go unsatisfied. Sometimes, they would even crave fruits that were not in season. Serenity herself was one of them. Once, she woke up in the middle of the night craving mac and cheese. Of course, Zachary, the ever-doting husband, had to satisfy her request. However, where could he find mac and cheese at that hour?Ultimately, he had to drive to the
People would reap what they had sown. They would have to bear the consequences of their actions. Sometimes, interfering in another person’s fate would backfire. After chatting for some time, Serenity said, “I have to go for my checkup now, Liberty. Let’s talk again when you’re free another day.“By the way, I’ll get someone to bring Sonny to you this weekend. He misses you.”“Okay,” said Liberty. After the call ended, Serenity put her phone into her bag and stood up. She told the man behind the office desk, “It’s almost time, babe. Let’s go.”“Okay. I’m almost done.”Zachary quickly signed and stamped a document before closing it. He walked over with the document in hand. Serenity and Zachary left the office together. He handed the document to his secretary. The secretary did not expect him to pass the document to him personally. He had thought of entering Zachary’s office to request it later. The secretary watched Zachary and Serenity leave. He could not believe
Lilian often messed with the medicinal herbs her master cultivated, which led to her being chased and scolded by him.It seemed her son had inherited her restless nature.“How’s Sonny been lately?”Liberty had been on edge these past few days because Caroline had been preparing to lure her three brothers into a trap and had not had time to call her son.“Same as usual, but it seems like things have soured again with the Browns.”Serenity added, “Sonny still answers when Hank calls him, but he doesn’t seem happy when his grandparents visit. He doesn’t like going to the Browns’ place, and he doesn’t want to take their calls either.“Hank’s mother and sister are truly incorrigible. They must have been badmouthing you and Duncan in front of Sonny again, which is why he’s upset with them.”During the holidays, Sonny had stayed with the Browns for a few days and started to warm up to them.However, who would have thought that the mother and daughter would start spouting nonsense in f
Once the baby was born, he would apply the knowledge he had learned over the past few months to care for the baby. He was determined to be a competent and responsible father.Serenity released her arms from around him and shifted to her side.Zachary let go, too, allowing her to turn.Then, she planted countless gentle kisses on his face.“Babe, with you here, the baby and I will be just fine. Don’t worry too much,” Serenity comforted softly after kissing him.“You are my rock. If even you are nervous, I’ll start feeling anxious too, and that won’t be good.”Hearing this, Zachary immediately said, “Seren, don’t worry. I’ll protect both of you. Alright, I won’t be so nervous anymore.”He gently touched her rounded belly again. “Lil’ Bun should be a calm kid. He’s not that mischievous.”He felt that the baby’s movements were not too intense.Serenity wanted to tell him that there were times when the baby kicked more vigorously, but she decided against it, knowing it would only m
“Just hit the gym a few more times. Lately, you’ve been spending less time there.”Every day after work, he would come home and orbit around her. As a result, he had less time to work out.It was normal to gain a few pounds eating well and exercising less. Did he really think he could eat anything without gaining weight?The reason he could maintain a model-like physique before was that he exercised daily.“Ow.” Serenity suddenly cried out in pain.This startled Zachary so much that he nearly jumped up, asking anxiously, “Is it stomach pain? Are you going into labor? Let’s go to the hospital right away.”He was about to pick her up, but Serenity stopped him by pressing his hand.“Don’t be so nervous, Zachary. It's not time yet. It’s not happening so soon. It’s just the baby kicking again. His kicks are getting stronger.”As she entered the later stages of pregnancy, the little one inside her was growing stronger. Sometimes, a couple of kicks from the baby could actually hurt.
Zachary, afraid that his wife might refuse to spend time with him at his office in the future, emphasized that he was not busy today.He had already cleared his morning schedule because he needed to accompany his beloved wife for her prenatal checkup.His secretary was well aware of Serenity’s checkup dates. Whenever he saw Serenity turn up at the office with his boss, his secretary would quietly adjust his schedule.Sometimes, on the day of the Serenity’s checkup, his secretary would not schedule any appointments for Zachary at all.Even if appointments were scheduled, Zachary would request they be canceled or rescheduled.Now, in Zachary’s eyes, his wife’s matters were the most important.With Alex now able to share the workload, Zachary felt that he, as the eldest of his generation who had shouldered the bulk of the burden for so many years, deserved a break.Plus, there was the elite team the company had trained; if not now, then when would they be put to use?Everyone was
Tony turned around and left.Only after hearing the door close did Carrie dare to open her eyes.She had woken up while Tony and his son were on the phone, but she did not dare move, fearing that Tony might suspect her of eavesdropping.Just now, when that old lecher stood by the bed looking at her, there was definitely a murderous glint in his eyes. She could feel it.Sooner or later, he would kill her.Carrie was filled with panic. She wanted to escape but was afraid she would not succeed. No one was there to help her.For a moment, Carrie even considered running to Camryn to confess everything, but she quickly dismissed the thought. The reason she ended up in this situation was entirely due to Camryn.She and Camryn were sworn enemies. Their conflict would not end until one of them was dead. However, even if she died, she would drag Camryn down with her.-Meanwhile, in the CEO's office at York Corporation, Zachary, seated at his desk, kept glancing up at his pregnant wife.
“You should have gotten rid of them all back then and cultivated a network of people loyal only to you.” Manny felt that his father should not have spared those people in the first place.Tony said, “There were too many of them, all relatives and friends with the same goal as us. We couldn’t eliminate them all at once.”Back then, he had incited everyone to join him in wiping out the entire main family, sparing neither the elderly nor the children.It was because they were all from the collateral branches, jealous of the main family’s long-standing control, and shared a common goal that his conspiracy succeeded.He had also spent over a decade waiting for the right opportunity.Who would have thought that even after wiping out the main family, he still could not obtain the family seal, token, or totem? Without these, he could not become the true head of the family and could only act as a proxy. Many of the connections loyal to the head remained inaccessible.Moreover, much of the