“Raventon’s Fields family just reunited with their long-lost daughter after over two decades and dropped a cool half a billion in donations.
Damn, they’re not playing around!”
In one of the private rooms at Lotus Smoke, Violet Kane was flipping through her phone, reading the trending news.
“Didn’t your family just kick someone out?
And now the Fields are announcing their long-lost daughter’s return?
Don’t tell me they’re actually the same person?”
“No way,” Serena shot back instantly, rolling her eyes at Violet.
“You saw her yesterday too—Claire is always mixed up with all those nobodies.
If she were really a Fields, they’d probably see it as bad luck!”
“True that.” Violet scrunched her nose like she’d just smelled something rotten.
“You two grew up together, but damn, she really has no shame.
Hanging around with those bottom-feeders?
Embarrassing.”
“Why are we wasting time on her?
Let’s look at the menu instead.”
Serena flipped through the pages casually.
“Heard Chef Jasper’s doing the dishes today.
That’s a rare treat—maybe once a month if you’re lucky.”
Violet gave a grin full of bootlicking energy.
“For real?
Guess I gotta thank you for being you, Serena.
A meal at Lotus Smoke usually needs, like, a whole month’s notice to book!”
“I only got in by dropping Nelson’s name.
It’s not like I made it happen myself.”
She already placed the order, then glanced at her phone, scoffing at another piece of gossip.
“Debbie Fields?
That name screams new-money tastelessness.
It’s so tacky.”
Alyssa was still in a daze from that news.
Her fingers shook slightly as she held her fork.
“Mr.
Fields, you’re serious?
You’d sign me… even after everything?
Sure, I have the looks, but that mess online—it’s not like clearing it up comes cheap.
And even then, the public might still not buy it.”
One reason she was holding back was XR.
Her fall from grace—yeah, it pretty much all traced back to Serena.
Serena had the Coopers backing her.
And in Jadewick, no matter how fast XR was growing, it was still no match for that family.
She didn’t want to drag others down with her.
But if Adrian really was the Fields heir from Raventon…
maybe she should give this shot a real look.
The Fields could go head-to-head with the Coopers.
Still, that thought made her feel a little dirty.
And somehow, the words just slipped out.
Adrian gave a short laugh.
“So you’re seriously letting yourself spiral because of the Coopers?
That’s ridiculous.
You really think Nelson’s targeting you just to prove something to Serena?
And even if he is—what more could you possibly lose at this point?”
Her heart sank.
Could it really get any worse?
Worst case?
She ditches the industry, goes home, and gets forced into some arranged marriage.
Basically becomes a pawn for the family.
But honestly, looking at where she was now—it didn’t feel all that different.
Serena snatched away her role.
She couldn’t land a single job.
The internet torched her every single day.
And off to the side, Claire also went quiet after hearing that line.
“Prove something to Serena.”
Yeah…
that sounded familiar.
Wouldn’t be the first time Nelson did the most for Serena.
He literally started a whole talent agency just to sign her—and only her.
Then kicked down every rival in her way and threw money until she was branded a national goddess.
So, really, was anything off the table?
Claire let out a faint chuckle.
“Alyssa, you’re not completely wrong to be cautious.
But if I were you, I’d wonder if these guys are just planning to use me.”
Adrian gave her a look.
“Come on, you little troublemaker, always running your mouth.
You really think me is that kind of guy?”
Alyssa blinked, then slowly caught on.She chuckled lightly.
“If I’m just being used as a pawn, that’s actually fine by me.
I’m in.”
Claire and Adrian both turned to look at her.
Alyssa added with a smirk, “You know what they say—your enemy’s enemy is your friend.
Since I’ve got beef with Serena too, using me to go after her?
Count me in!
Just not sure if I’m even worthy of being your ‘friend.'”
“Come on, Alyssa, don’t say that,” Claire quickly responded.
“I was just talking casually earlier.
My brother’s serious about signing you.
He’s a straight-up businessman, not playing games or dragging others into personal stuff.”
Adrian let out a small click of his tongue.
“That sounds like me, huh?”
But honestly, he really hadn’t thought of using a young woman like that.
He had only considered it because Alyssa had defended his little sister before.
Pulling her in felt like doing her a favor.
Later, once he looked deeper into the industry, it became clear the deal made good business sense.
Whether Alyssa joined or not, that part was her call.
What he hadn’t seen coming was how complicated things would get.
Just as the air was starting to feel light again, someone knocked on the door, and the service staff came in with the dishes one by one.
The table in the private room was already full, so a group of waitresses stood neatly in two rows, each holding a platter.
Then, in the middle of all that, a chef in uniform with graying hair hurried in.
“Senior Sister!
Come try these new dishes I’ve been working on.
Tell me if anything needs tweaking!”
The room went dead silent.
You could hear people breathe.
This guy was clearly the oldest here.
“Senior sister”?
What?
No one said a word.
Jasper looked a bit flustered.
He hurried over with the nearest dish, offering it to Claire.
“Please, just taste one bite, okay?
They’re small portions, won’t be wasted.”
Claire gave a soft cough and glanced sideways at him.
“Didn’t I tell you not to call me that in public?”
Jasper scratched his head and grinned sheepishly.
“Oops, my bad.
I forgot.
I’ll be more careful next time.
Just give it a try, yeah?”
Luckily, everyone in the room either worked at Lotus Smoke or had already met Claire before.
As for Alyssa, Claire had no plans to keep it from her.
But knowing didn’t mean she wouldn’t be shocked.
Alyssa’s jaw just about dropped.
Who’d have guessed the heir to the McCarthy culinary legacy was calling Claire his senior?
Rumor had it that in the McCarthy kitchen, ranking was purely based on skill—not age or seniority.
But hearing it straight from the source?
Being called “senior” by someone a whole decade younger?
Mind blown.
“So, what do you think, Senior Sister?
How’s the taste?”
Seeing Claire take a bite and then put her fork down, Jasper eagerly leaned in.
Claire chewed thoughtfully, then nodded.
“Not bad.
Still needs some work though.
This one’s a new recipe?”
“Yup.
Brand new.
Even those brats back in the kitchen couldn’t stop raving about it.
When I heard you were here today, I rushed over to get your opinion.”
Claire wiped her hands and smiled.
“What’s the hurry?
I’m not heading out right away this time.
Looks like I’ll be working outta your kitchen for a while.
Don’t tell me you’ve got no space for me?”
Jasper’s eyes widened.
“Are you kidding?
You want in, I’ll hand over the whole Lotus Smoke—”
Before he could finish, a young cook burst into the room in a panic.
“Chef!
Trouble!
There’s a commotion in the room across from us!”
Jasper’s face darkened immediately.
“Who the hell dares stir up drama in my place?
Kick them out!
We’re not dealing with that.”
The young cook looked nervous.
“It’s Serena—the big actress.
And, uh… she dropped Mr.
Cooper’s name.
We didn’t know what to do…”