“Big actress?
Big deal.
And Mr.
Cooper?
Please.
Just because they’re making a scene doesn’t mean they’re right.”
Jasper was practically spitting fire.
He yanked his chef’s hat on in one swift move and let loose.
“My place is packed daily—who needs them?
If they think they’re too good, then don’t come!
Losing one or two customers won’t shut down my business.
Eat if you want, if not, the door’s that way!
Refund their money and kick them out.
I’ve better stuff to do than deal with this kind of drama!”
“Jasper.”
Claire sighed softly.
Jasper instantly turned toward her.
His whole vibe shifted as he looked down, voice a lot gentler, “Hey, Claire.”
Claire gave him a look.
“That temper of yours… you really need to chill.
Customers are complaining.
Shouldn’t you at least find out what’s going on?
You run Lotus Smoke—who else are they supposed to go to when there’s a problem?”
“You’re totally right.”
Jasper wilted a little and nodded obediently.
He turned to the junior cook and asked more calmly, “Alright, tell me what happened.”
The cook was new and had never seen Jasper act this mild—especially not over a pretty girl who looked barely out of college.
He blinked, dumbfounded for a second, before stammering out the explanation.
“Miss Serena came in today with a few friends.
After the food came out, she said the flavors were off and refused to eat unless you personally cooked.
We told her you weren’t taking tables today, but she didn’t care.
She made a big scene and pulled out her phone to film, accusing us of bullying.
She’s got a huge following, so we got worried it might blow up, that’s why we came to get you.”
After finishing, the cook shuffled back a bit just in case Jasper snapped again.
He even sent a tiny pleading glance Claire’s way like, “Help me.”
But Jasper didn’t snap.
He just sneered, “Let her film—I’m not scared.
What, every picky customer wants me to cook now?
Might as well fire my whole crew and run this place solo.
Right, Claire?”
Claire traced the rim of her cup with her fingertip, calm as ever.
“You’re not wrong.
But when you kick customers out, right turns into wrong real fast.
Your cook mentioned she’s an influencer.
Maybe losing one customer’s no big deal—but what if it turns into a hundred or a thousand?
These days, people can twist black into white online.
Your skills might keep you fed no matter where you go, but think about your employees.
This business isn’t just about you.”
Jasper was all about the food—he didn’t really get how PR worked.
But if Claire was talking, he listened.
“Okay, Claire.
What do you think we should do then?”
She gave him a look.
“What do you think?
She’s a paying customer—we go listen to what she wants.
If she wants to film, we film too.
Let’s talk it out like adults.
But seriously, your attitude…”
She trailed off, only to notice Jasper grinning at her like a little kid waiting for praise.
She couldn’t help but chuckle, then stood up.
“Fine, I’ll go with you.”
Jasper clapped his hands.
“Heck yes!
Let’s go have a nice chat with Miss Drama Queen.”
Claire teased, “Well, since I’ll be working under you soon, gotta make sure I impress the boss first.”
Her reason for staying in Jadewick wasn’t just about work.
She had something far more important to handle—getting the famed Dr.
Blackwell to come out of retirement and help save her mother.
Ever since the earthquake years ago, when her mom lost her, she hadn’t been the same—living in a fog of guilt she couldn’t shake.All these years, the emotional toll had wrecked her body too, and despite being brought back and seen by countless doctors, nothing ever changed.
Everyone in the medical field suggested asking Old Mr.
Blackwell to take a look, but ever since his retirement, he’d basically vanished—only popping up now and then at some fancy food festivals.
And even then, the old man was… tricky.
Now that he’s retired, saving lives depends entirely on his mood.
His usual line?
Something like, “Life and death, fate and fortune—if it’s your time, just go with it.
Don’t come crying to me, I’m retired.”
But on the rare occasions he’s in a good mood, he can work miracles—even dragging someone back when they’re one foot in the grave.
Claire spent ages tracking him down, only to discover that this food-loving eccentric made it a point to eat at Lotus Smoke a few times a year.
And when he liked what he ate, he sometimes worked his magic.
So instead of running around the globe looking for him, she figured it was smarter to just wait here.
Whether she could convince him to treat someone was up in the air, but at least finding him was step one toward hope.
When Claire walked out with Jasper, they could already hear Serena from a distance—loud and furious.
“What kind of place are you running, huh?
I drop serious cash here and you give me this kind of service?
I can’t even speak up about it?”
“What do you mean Chef Jasper doesn’t cook?
What’s he doing here, polishing spoons?
You let a bunch of amateurs serve customers?”
“I’m telling you, I’m not letting this slide.
This food?
Not it.
It’s overpriced, reservation-only—what, do you think we’re idiots?
This whole place is just a hype machine.
I’m reporting you!”
In front of Serena stood a Lotus Smoke staffer, looking completely overwhelmed and unable to get a word in—just repeatedly apologizing.
The second Serena mentioned filing a complaint, the poor girl looked like she might cry.
Claire stepped forward, placing herself between them.
“Miss Thompson, please, let’s calm down first.”
“Calm down?
Why should I ca—”
She didn’t finish.
She blinked, stunned.
Wait.
Claire?
The same Claire she grew up looking down on?
The so-called hideous one who never dared raise her head?
She had expected to see a mess of a woman, probably clinging to some back-alley loser.
But no—Claire looked nothing like the pitiful wreck she imagined.
She looked… radiant.
Gorgeous, even.
What the hell?
How did this woman—this woman—end up looking better than her?
Serena’s face flushed from envy to pale from shock, but she quickly composed herself in front of the onlookers, forcing a stiff smile.
“Well well, isn’t this my dear sister?
What are you doing here?
Oh, right, I forgot—you got kicked out of the house.
Probably shouldn’t call you ‘sis’ anymore, huh.”
Claire ignored the jab and kept her smile polite.
“I work here.
If there’s something about our dishes that you’re unhappy with, we’re happy to waive the cost if you can offer some helpful feedback.”
“You work here?” Serena echoed, eyes widening.
Any trace of jealousy got instantly buried under a wave of smug delight.
She knew it.
Without the family’s support, Claire was nothing.
Look at her now—just another server carrying plates around a restaurant.
Pathetic.
Serena gave a soft, dramatic sigh.
“I told you back then—study hard.
We sent you abroad, but no, you couldn’t even finish a degree.
And now?
You’re waiting tables.
Must be tough.”