1.
I was competing in the celebrity-chef contest when the accident hit. Hot oil my apprentice had prepared scalded my arm.
Owen Lockwood came charging up onto the stage, all fury, and without thinking I spoke up for my little apprentice.
"Don't be angry. Lauren didn't mean it."
"It's her first big competition. She's probably just nervous."
But the next second, he shoved me aside and shouted at me.
"What kind of mentor are you? Letting Lauren handle hot oil? What if that oil had splashed onto her face?"
"I think you're just jealous that she's prettier than you."
The accusation left my mind blank for a moment.
I wanted to argue back, but then I saw a line of comments drift past above his head.
【This is exactly what the male lead does. He's worried about the heroine in his heart, but he insists on putting all his concern on the little apprentice.】
【Don't be sad, sweet heroine. It's because his own disfigurement left such deep scars that he's afraid of anyone else getting hurt like that. He still cares about you.】
【Don't be sad, honey. He'll regret it afterward. He even bought you a pearl necklace worth a few million to apologize.】
In the past, seeing comments like these, I would soften right away.
I'd remember the pain of his disfigurement, his treatment, and shift all the blame onto myself.
As I was about to go back to the competition, my phone buzzed.
It was a photo and a message from my little apprentice.
【Master, the boss said I'd had a fright and gave me a pearl necklace.】
【Can I accept it?】
White, round pearls glowing softly, worn around a girl's pale throat.
Her smile was bright, and it stung my eyes until they ached.
I smiled at myself.
【It's nothing valuable. He gave it to you, so keep it.】
……
This culinary contest, the one that determined the restaurant's rating, hadn't originally been set for Lauren Vance.
It was my other senior apprentice, Ryan Chandler.
Ryan's skill was second only to mine.
But what had been a sure thing was undone by Lauren Vance's tears.
"Boss, Master, I know I'm not good enough yet, but the more you keep me tucked behind your wings, the less I can grow."
"Master, it's because my senior went to so many competitions with you that he improved so fast."
"This time, could you take me along?"
I was about to refuse when Owen cut in.
"For this one, let her go instead."
"Your master's making the main dishes anyway. It'll do her good to come along and learn something."
His voice was gentle and firm, and Lauren couldn't help lowering her head. But I caught the flush that flickered across her cheeks and vanished.
The bitterness churned in me like a tide. I pushed it down and tried to explain.
"The chef's assistant matters a great deal. She isn't up to the standard yet."
"The restaurant's rating contest isn't a joke."
Owen's expression darkened bit by bit, and when he spoke his words carried ice.
"It's just cooking. You've done it for years. You can't even manage to train one apprentice?"
I was about to argue when more comments drifted past overhead.
【Don't be angry, heroine. The male lead only wants to swap people because he's jealous of how close you and Ryan are.】
【He trusts your cooking.】
【Just say yes. Look, the male lead's eyes are red with anger.】
I looked away, my fingertips aching from how hard I'd clenched my fist.
In the end it was Ryan who couldn't stand it, and stepped aside on his own.
"It's all right, Master. Missing one now and then is fine."
"I trust you, Master."
