Chapter 68

Only then did Gilmore realize his father intended to rent a shop to open a restaurant. He had originally brought his parents to Oakhaven to enjoy a comfortable life, free from hard work. Therefore, he disapproved of his father's plan to open a restaurant, knowing it would mean long hours and a demanding life.

At that moment, Gilmore's mother, Sophia, expressed her hesitation. "Dear," she said to her husband, "this is a huge mall; the rent must be expensive."

Harlan frowned and agreed. "Yes, it's prosperous and crowded. The rent will likely be very high."

Gilmore seized the opportunity. "This is a high-end mall, so the rent will definitely be expensive. Considering the shop's size, it's probably tens of thousands of dollars a month!"

His parents gasped. "Tens of thousands of dollars! That's too expensive!"

Gilmore quickly interjected, "Expensive? Not at all! If you want it, I'll contact them right now and rent the shop." He pretended to pull out his phone, as if about to sign the lease.

His anxious parents grabbed his hand. "Gilmore, don't be rash! That rent would take us a year to earn back in our Springvale restaurant!"

Harlan nodded in agreement. "That's right, we don't want to waste your money."

A crafty look flashed across Gilmore's eyes. This was exactly what he'd hoped for. He had no intention of actually calling the leasing office; he didn't even know the number. He was merely putting on a show, deliberately exaggerating the rent to dissuade them. As expected, the prospect of such high rent immediately dismissed their idea of opening a restaurant.

He asked, "So, you really don't want this shop anymore?"

His parents nodded emphatically. "No, no, let's go back."

Gilmore didn't need to call. He drove his parents back to the Palazzo.

Five days passed. During this time, Everly enrolled at Oakhaven High School. Although his parents hadn't opened a restaurant, they started a small vegetable garden in the villa's grounds. Despite planting low-maintenance vegetables, they spent considerable time tending to it, their ingrained work ethic leading them to putter about the garden many times a day. In truth, they were simply unused to such idleness and missed the busy, fulfilling life they had in Springvale.

One day, Gilmore and Everly returned from school to find their parents packing their luggage.

"Mom, Dad, what are you doing?" Gilmore asked.

Harlan said, "Gilmore, we've stayed here, and we know you're filial, but we want to return to the countryside. We can farm and run our restaurant there. Here, we have nothing to do!"

Gilmore's mother nodded in agreement. They had made up their minds.

Gilmore realized that while he intended for his parents to enjoy a comfortable life, it wasn't suited to them. They were in their forties, young and strong; retirement was unrealistic. His decision to prevent them from opening a restaurant had been shortsighted.

He immediately changed his mind. "Mom and Dad, put your suitcases away. Tomorrow, I'll take you to see some shops. You can open a restaurant here in Oakhaven. Don't go back to that restaurant in Springvale."

Harlan and his wife's faces lit up. "Okay! We'll open a restaurant in Oakhaven!"

Their initial joy, however, gave way to hesitation. "But the rent is so expensive…"

Gilmore smiled. "Don't worry about the rent. It's nothing compared to your career. Besides, with your skills, I'm not worried about business being bad. Once business is good, you'll earn more than the rent."

His parents' faces brightened. "Well, we won't go back to the countryside. We'll stay in Oakhaven and open a restaurant," Harlan declared.

Gilmore and Everly smiled. It was best that their family remained together. They helped their parents unpack.

The next day, Gilmore, Gerald, and his parents returned to the commercial mall. The shop they had considered was still available. Harlan and his wife were delighted.

Gilmore called the number on the leasing notice. A woman answered, "Hello, this is the Business Department of Newhaven Commercial Plaza. How can I help you?"

"Hello, I saw unit number 10 is available. We want to rent it," Gilmore said.

"What type of business will you be operating?"

"A restaurant."

"Excuse me, is this a high-end restaurant brand?"

Gilmore frowned. The Plaza seemed to cater only to high-end establishments. His parents' restaurant was small and unpretentious.

He said, "Yes, we are a well-known restaurant brand."

"Please come to the Business Department on the fifth floor of Building B to discuss this further."

"Okay, thank you."

Gilmore hung up. "We're going to the Commercial Plaza's Business Department to talk about the shop."

His parents hesitated. Harlan said, "Gilmore, they said they only accept well-known brands, but we…"

Gilmore remained calm. "Dad, once our restaurant opens, we'll build a reputation. We'll become a well-known brand, and then we can open branches all over Oakhaven!"

His parents' doubts vanished as they looked toward their son's ambitious vision. They followed him to the Business Department.