Chapter 89

In the restaurant, Harlan courteously led Claire and Denton to a table. He poured tea, saying, “Miss Carter, Mr. Carter, welcome to my small restaurant.”

Claire smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Reed.”

Their bodyguards sat at other tables.

Denton looked at Claire. “You said this restaurant, with its food therapy concept, would boom. But there are no customers. Why?”

Claire wanted to explain the “food therapy” idea had come from Gilmore, not her, but the empty restaurant, with onlookers outside, made that impossible. Mentioning Gilmore now would make her grandfather doubt both her investment judgment and Gilmore’s abilities. Her grandfather had already gone to great lengths to cancel her engagement to the Palmer family; if he disliked Gilmore, she’d likely be engaged to Benjamin again.

“Grandpa,” Claire explained awkwardly, “it’s the first day. Those people outside haven’t tasted rustic food before; they don’t know how delicious it is.” In truth, she hadn't tasted Evermore Diner's rustic food either.

Denton’s skeptical expression was clear. He’d come because Claire had repeatedly emphasized Evermore Diner’s unique food therapy focus and predicted its market dominance. She’d even promised to build a restaurant group rivaling the Carter family’s chip empire within a few years. Her grandfather, intrigued by the innovative concept, agreed to visit. The empty restaurant, however, was disappointing.

Still, he needed to eat here before leaving; otherwise, it would severely damage Claire’s confidence. He looked at Harlan. “I’m hungry. I’d like to try your best rustic food.”

Harlan, delighted, replied, “Mr. Carter, please allow me a moment; I’ll cook some dishes for you immediately.”

Denton nodded slightly. He privately doubted the food’s quality; he wouldn’t be here if it weren't for Claire.

Harlan and his wife, Sophia, entered the kitchen, energized. [Remove the website promotion]

From the kitchen came the sounds of ventilation, oil sputtering, and cooking. Soon, a waiter served dishes: roast chicken, mac and cheese, tonic drink, rice noodles, and other staples.

Claire recognized the roast chicken and rice noodles from Oakhaven, but the tonic drink and mac and cheese were new to her. Other dishes looked vaguely familiar but different.

Two waitresses poured thick, green tonic drink from a ceramic container into bowls for Denton and Claire. “Mr. Carter, Miss Carter, this is Springvale's famous tonic drink from Elmwood,” they explained. “Made with over a dozen healthful wild herbs; it’s fresh, natural, and delicious.” (Harlan had provided the description).

Claire was intrigued. Denton’s curiosity was piqued by the mention of wild herbs.

“Grandpa, let’s try it,” Claire said.

He nodded, took a sip, then frowned. The surrounding waiters were shocked. “Doesn’t Mr. Carter like it?”

He took another sip, then another, and another, his frown deepening. The waiters became increasingly convinced he disliked it.

A waiter reported this to the busy Harlan. The spatula slipped from Harlan’s hand into the pot. Panic-stricken, he exclaimed, “This is bad! Mr. Carter must think the tonic drink is awful! My restaurant will get a bad reputation on its first day!”

He rallied, handing the spatula to Sophia. “You cook. I’ll go see what’s wrong.”

They entered the dining area to find Denton and Claire devouring the food, seemingly starved for days. Claire, usually image-conscious, was tearing chicken wings with grease-covered hands, completely unconcerned. Denton, too, was eating heartily. “Delicious! So delicious!” they exclaimed.

Harlan noticed Denton’s brows remained furrowed despite his words. He realized the frown wasn't from displeasure, but from the food's excessive deliciousness. Harlan was overjoyed.