Chapter 49
Upon hearing her words, Lucas’s heart skipped a beat or two, but he didn’t let it cloud his judgment.
“This is a big matter. You’ll have to allow me some time to discuss it with my grandpa.”
Pearl nodded. “Of course.”
Lucas looked up at Pearl. “Isn’t it too risky to just rely on our two families for such a big project? The investment in the early stages is not small.”
“Yes. I considered the Parker family’s strength, so I pulled you in. If you think it’s risky, we can find another partner. Pearl agreed readily.
Lucas’s eyes lit up. “Then what about Marc…”
“Apart from Marc.” Pearl knew what Lucas wanted to say and directly excluded the candidate in his heart.
Lucas said, “Why? Business is business. Regardless of geographical location or economic strength, Males Group is our best choice. Marc happens to have the same intention. Isn’t that just right?”
Pearl lowered her eyes and said indifferently, “I don’t want to work with him.”
“You’re a little indiscriminate.”
Lucas took the opportunity to educate Pearl. “That’s a separate matter. Marc is not someone who can’t differentiate between public and private matters. I believe you’re not either. Think about it. If our three families can join forces, we’ll simply be invincible.
Pearl frowned. Just as she was about to speak, Lucas said, “You just returned to Woolery Group to take charge of the overall situation. It’s time for you to establish your prestige. From what I know, your two uncles originally bought that piece of land in the northern suburbs to build a golf course. If they come back and find out that you took the initiative to transform it into a horse ranch behind their backs, they will definitely hold you accountable with the board of directors. At that time, Marc and I can support you, right?”
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“Do you
think I’m afraid of them? Pearl snorted disdainfully.
Lucas said, “Of course, you’re not afraid, but with the Males Group involved, you’ll be more confident in facing them, right? Plus, you can use the time to compare who looks better while working, me or Marc.
Lucas had barely spoken a few serious words before he started to act flamboyantly. Pearl gave him an annoyed look and said, “Do I care?”
Besides, Pearl had seen Marc in all kinds of situations.
Lucas grinned and said, “Don’t worry. Marc and I can each have 30% of the shares. The largest share will still be in your hands. You’ll be the boss, and he’ll have to listen to you. That sounds pretty great, right? We can leave all the tiring work to him.”
Pearl looked speechlessly at Lucas, who had a mischievous smile on his face. “Are you really friends?
“We’re friends,” Lucas said earnestly, “Isn’t teasing each other what friends do? Friends stand by each other through thick and thin, but when it comes to a beautiful woman, we men can be a bit fickle with our loyalties.”
Pearl nodded in agreement.
The dishes kept coming, each one a classic. The intricate carvings on the presentation plates showcased the skill of the chef.
Lucas was a food enthusiast who knew his way around good cuisine. He couldn’t stop praising each dish and offered comments like a true connoisseur.
Pearl, feeling hungry, focused on her meal and listened to Lucas’s incessant reviews in
silence as she continued to eat
“Oh no. Why is this taste getting more and more familiar?”
Lucas pursed his lips and suddenly remembered what Pearl had said when she came in. Lucas could not help but ask, “What’s the surname of the chef?”
Pearl said calmly. “His surname is Cooper.”
Chapter 49
“Cooper?” Lucas’s eyes widened. “Could it be that state banquet chef, the 14th generation. descendant of the Cooper family, Darren Cooper?”
“Mr. Lucas, you’re quite impressive. You could tell right away that these are dishes I cooked.”
The moment they mentioned Darren, he was here. He personally carried a plate of Ribeye Steak, wearing a white chef’s uniform, and greeted Pearl respectfully, saying, “I heard your were here, so I came to say hello.”
“There’s no need to be so polite,” Pearl said calmly. “How many times have I told you that you don’t have to be so polite when you see me?”
Darren was all smiles, “I must still show proper courtesy. After all, you and my father share the same seniority.”
The fork in Lucas’s hand fell to the ground, and his jaw dropped. He looked at Darren, who was over 40 years old, in disbelief. “What did you say? She and your father share the same seniority?”
“Yes,” Darren placed the Ribeye Steak on the table and said earnestly, “She is my
grandfather’s direct disciple and my father’s junior fellow disciple.”
Compared to Darren, a loving smile appeared on Pearl’s youthful face.
Lucas was stunned again.
1
What kind of scene was Lucas seeing?
Lucas finally closed his jaw, but he still felt that the two of them were joking with him. He looked at Darren and said, “Mr. Cooper, isn’t that the Cooper family has traditionally passed down culinary skills within the family, and you typically favor male heirs?”
“That’s right, but there are exceptions to everything.”
Darren looked at Pearl with admiration in his eyes and said, “Ms. Woolery is the only exception. Back in the day, my grandfather thought my father and the others were not capable enough, and he once wanted Ms. Woolery to become the thirteenth–generation successor of the Cooper family. However, Ms. Woolery declined. She single–handedly
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helped my father rise to his current position, and later, she personally passed down her culinary skills to me, enabling me to master exceptional cooking skills. It’s just that my talent isn’t as high as Ms. Woolery’s. It took me until this age to develop the cooking skills I have now, and I’m still far behind Ms. Woolery.”
Pearl replied calmly, “Some people do indeed reach the pinnacle of their lives at a later age. You don’t need to underestimate yourself. With your current achievements, you have already brought glory to the Cooper family. I haven’t let down Mr. Cooper’s final wishes.”
Darren bowed deeply to Pearl. “I have to thank you for your nurturing, Ms. Woolery. Without you, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
“Alright,” Pearl said, “It’s been a while since we last met, and every time I see you, you’re always so polite. I’m leaving this restaurant in your capable hands. I trust you.”
Darren answered respectfully, “Yes.”
Lucas looked at the state banquet chef who was obediently listening to the lecture like a primary school student. Then, he looked at Pearl, who was sitting there. Pearl was clearly young and beautiful, but she was acting like an old man. Lucas felt terrible.
Lucas took out his phone and typed quickly. He asked Marc, [Have you eaten Pearl’s cooking?]
Three minutes later, Marc replied, [She did. But I didn’t eat it. What’s wrong?]
Lucas was shocked: [She’s the junior fellow disciple of Mr. Cooper’s father! You didn’t even try dishes made by the heir of the Cooper family! What else do you want to eat?]
Marc was confused.
[Are you crazy?]
Lucas twitched the corner of his mouth and silently cursed Marc in his heart for having such a wonderful wife but not appreciating her properly. Marc was the one who was truly
crazy!
Lucas was now wondering if Marc would be as shocked as him if he found out that his ex- wife, whom he had neglected and despised for three years, was not only a hacker expert
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but also a top chef.
And then, Marc might wish he could pluck out his own eyeballs, blaming himself for being blind and overlooking Pearl for a top–tier genius.
Lucas suddenly looked forward to that day.
