Chapter 21 The Sting
Jaclyn’s composure finally cracked. “Are you kicking me out?”
“You misunderstand,” Charles replied, standing beside Lindsey.
His tone was calmer now but still sharp.
“You called my dishes garbage. Reordering won’t change anything. We’re saving you time, not kicking you out. Wouldn’t dare offend a star.”
Jaelyn snapped, “Then get another chef! This dump can’t have only one!”
Charles shrugged. “Sorry, Ms. Oconnell. I trained all the chefs here. Same flavor.”
Humiliated, Jaelyn bit back her rage.
She shot Lindsey a venomous glare and stormed out.
Camila, still recording, hurried after her. “Jaelyn, wait for me!”
Outside, Jaelyn exploded.
“That trash! Acting high and mighty while bowing to others inside! A waitress!”
Camila chimed in, “Ignore her! She’s got lowlifes backing her. Thugs last time, some lousy cook now. Half the rich crowd here does business with the Woodward family. Let’s tell Mr. Woodward. When their business tanks. they’ll crawl”
Jaelyn smirked. “True.”
She pulled out her phone, dialing with a fake sob.
Soon, the call was connected.
“Eliezer… I saw Lindsey at Golden Willow Restaurant…”
Inside Golden Willow Restaurant, after Jaelyn left, the room erupted in laughter.
Charles laughed the loudest, hands on his hips, glaring at the door.
“What a joke! She just wanted Osvaldo’s cooking and trashed my food. Lindsey’s the boss. She made her scram!”
Others nodded. “First time someone called our dishes garbage. Mocking education? Half our kitchen staff have real degrees, not bought ones!”
The rule of passing the SAT was set by Osvaldo.
His apprentices, either orphans or struggling students, studied while training. They even competed in grades.
Top students got rewards, and slackers felt shame.
Those who returned after graduation became formal disciples.
Others thrived in other fields, still respecting him.
“Enough! Guests are waiting. Back to work!” Osvaldo barked.
The crowd scattered.
Once alone, Osvaldo grinned sheepishly. “Thanks for today, Lindy‘
Lindsey sighed. “Osvaldo, no need for formalities. Weren’t you testing a new dish?”
“Right! Can’t let it go cold!”
Osvaldo hurried over.
des
Lindsey followed him and asked, “Osvaldo, did you save the recording?”
Camila had filmed everything. She needed evidence too.
Osvaldo waved it off. “Got it. I’ll have Charles send it to you.”
“Do it now. Backup the surveillance footage too.”
Eliezer was parking at the Woodward’s estate when Jaelyn called.
He stayed in the car. “You’re saying Lindsey works at Golden Willow Restaurant?”
“Yes. She’s probably still upset with me. She kicked me out and threatened to revoke your VIP card!” Jaelyn whimpered.
Eliezer stayed silent.
Encouraged, Jaelyn pressed on until he interrupted.
“Who was with her?”
“Who?
“Just some waiters and chefs. Three, maybe?” Jaelyn felt puzzled.
The memory infuriated her.
She thought, “Who do they think they are?”
Eliezer didn’t catch her bitterness.
He hummed and stepped out of the car.
“Next time, call me or Adrien before going there. Don’t go alone.”
Jaclyn paused and wondered, “He’s not blaming me?”
Chapter 25 The Thing
“Eliezer… are you mad I used your name and caused trouble there?”
He frowned. “No. But avoid clashing with her alone.”
“Right. It’s hard for her to find a job. I’d hate to get her fired over a fight.”
Jaclyn spoke sympathetically, then pivoted. “Oh, Eliezer… Mom keeps asking when we’ll… settle down.”
Eliezer paused mid–step toward the Woodward’s estate.
He hesitated, recalling Lindsey accepting roses from another man.
A strange bitterness tightened his chest, his tone clipped.
“After the divorce is finalized. Then we’ll set a date.”
“I’ll tell Mom. She nags me daily about my age.”
Jaelyn cooed.
The call ended. Eliezer stared at his darkened screen, expression unreadable.
After a moment, he entered the house.
Since Nathaniel’s death, only his mother, Aliana Meyers, lived there.
She’d handed the Woodward Group to him and retreated to gardening and meditation.
Today was her birthday. There was no grand celebration. She just called to ask whether Eliezer would come home for dinner.
Eliezer entered with a gift. Aliana emerged from the kitchen holding a soup pot, unsurprised by his arrival.
“Back already? Wash up! Dinner’s ready.”
He grunted, placing his package on the table.
As he turned toward the kitchen sink, Aliana’s phone vibrated loudly.
His eyes locked on the screen. The shout caught in his throat.
The caller ID froze him: Lindsey.
During her three years abroad, he didn’t receive a single call from her.
But she stayed in touch with his mother.
