The Head Chef Ran Away
The page from Ling Manor hurried back to report, and Prince Ling—still under house arrest—erupted in fury, smashing up his room and shouting, "Princess Mira, you damn woman! How many times are you going to humiliate me? Hmph! If I must marry you, then so be it. But just you wait—when my power rises, I’ll show you what happens behind closed doors!"
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Princess Mira had just chased out the Ling Manor page and was happily lost in her fantasy of becoming a legendary, fabulously wealthy princess. Suddenly, a flustered servant from Suxin Pavilion burst in, breathless: "Your Highness, disaster has struck!"
"What disaster? Why are you panicking? I’m rich now—what problem can’t be solved with money?" Princess Mira snapped, her annoyance written all over her face.
"Your Highness, the head chef you hired for Suxin Pavilion, he... he..." The servant dropped to his knees, stammering.
"What about him? Is he asking for a raise? Fine, give it to him! Suxin Pavilion is making money hand over fist—I’ve got plenty to spare. Why bother me with such trivial things? What are you people even good for?" Princess Mira huffed, her patience running thin.
"N-no, it’s not that! Your Highness, the head chef you brought in—he ran away!" the servant finally blurted out, screwing up his courage.
"Ran away?" Princess Mira blinked, momentarily stunned. After a beat, seeing the servant’s grave expression, she demanded, "What do you mean, he ran away? Where did he go?"
The servant kowtowed, explaining, "The head chef said he’s quitting—he’s run back to Eight Treasures Bistro!"
"What!" Princess Mira shot to her feet, her face twisting with rage. "Let’s go! I want to see this for myself!"
Princess Mira rushed to Suxin Pavilion by carriage, only to find the place nearly deserted. The few diners inside just poked their heads in to ask about the menu, and when told there was nothing available, turned right around and left.
Princess Mira’s heart tightened at the sight. She grabbed one of the departing diners by the collar and barked, "Why are you leaving?
The diner stammered, "Uh… Princess Mira, your chef ran off, so there’s nothing to eat here. I’ll just go grab a bite at Eight Treasures Bistro instead."
"Don’t you dare! Stay right there—you have to eat at Suxin Pavilion today!" Princess Mira shouted, her words coming out in a jumble of fury. The startled diner bolted, and the other guests, seeing the commotion, scattered like rabbits, fleeing even faster.
Princess Mira watched the diners dash off to Eight Treasures Bistro, then looked around at her own empty Suxin Pavilion, her eyes blazing with hatred. "That treacherous chef! I treated him well, and he dares betray me? What are you all good for? Go and drag that traitor back here!"
Someone nearby whispered, "That chef was originally from Eight Treasures Bistro. Now he’s just gone home... That’s Princess Consort Lily’s territory, and there are plenty of Hayes family guards inside. We wouldn’t dare go in and grab him."
"Useless, every last one of you!" Princess Mira’s forehead throbbed with anger as she rolled up her sleeves, nearly exploding. She stormed off toward Eight Treasures Bistro. "If you’re too scared to fetch him, I’ll do it myself! Lily Evans, you wretched woman, how dare you steal my people? This isn’t over!"
Green Lily hurried after her. When the two arrived at Eight Treasures Bistro, Princess Mira saw the place packed with guests—some even waiting in line for a table. Many were former Suxin Pavilion regulars, now flocking to the competition and making Eight Treasures Bistro even more popular.
Princess Mira clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white, her eyes burning red with fury.