My Beloved

In the dining room, they were eating as well as talking about the plan. They all seemed relaxed since most of their work was done. They only had a patisserie problem.

Han Luo declared, "You have to because I've decided that Sophia will make the pastries. Her skills are top notch. However, we need to have William's recipe. Nancy-"

"No, I won't hand over Will's recipe to a stranger!" Nancy declined.

Han Luo took a deep breath and calmly said, "Nancy, I understand that you are having a hard time trusting me and my chef but I can assure you nothing bad will happen."

She was being considerate because she could understand her feelings. If she was in Nancy's place, she would have a hard time deciding too. After all, Nancy hardly knew Han Luo and she met Sophia for the first time. She had no idea what kind of people they were.

Sophia saw Nancy didn't trust her. She spoke earnestly, "Yes, I have my own recipes. I have no interest in your brother's recipe."

Nancy couldn't be assured just by this. She said, "Even so, I cannot hand over something my brother worked so hard for. I'm sorry. I must leave." After that, she got up from the seat and was ready to leave.

Han Luo quietly said, "Leave if you must but know that William is a part of our team. We are all witnesses today. We can take Sophia's written oath. If she ever steals your brother's recipe, we will have every right to send her to the prison."

Nancy hesitated, "But…"

Han Luo interrupted her words and said, "If you don't want to, it's fine by us. We will go according to Sophia's recipe. When William recovers, he cannot his own recipe and has to follow Sophia's recipe till the contract is up. Afterward, he has to go to another shop. Are you okay with this?"

Thomas, Isla, and Johannes quietly listened to their conversation. They didn't know what they could say. Indeed, it was hard for Nancy but they got a project to finish. Even Han Luo said that she would go to great lengths to have a written oath from Sophia.

Nancy finally said, "I need time to decide."

Han Luo gave her permission, "You will have one day to decide. After all, we have to start working on baking parties soon." She also reminded her of how important it was for Nancy to decide quickly.

"If you allow me… I can be your patisserie's substitute." Someone came forward and interrupted them.

Han Luo looked behind her and saw a boy who was older than her. "Jack!" she beamed. Jack was Sophia's son who worked as a bartender part-time. He sometimes helped his mother bake pastries since he loved doing it.

"I can bake in my mother's place instead," Jack announced.

"That would be wonderful." Han Luo wanted to clap. She greatly appreciated his help. After all, there were very few people who would willingly help anyone.

Jack described his plan, "If I have to sue my mother's recipe, I want you to make a contract with us. I'll be your patisserie instead of your William."

"Cough! Jack, he isn't my William. But what you said is reasonable. What do you think guys?" Han Luo looked at her team members.

Thomas fixed his glasses and said, "I cannot agree more. But then, what about William?"

Han Luo said, "We have to ask him after he recovers. I'm sure he doesn't want to work using someone else's recipe."

Johannes and Isla agreed too. In truth, they sighed in relief when Jack came forward and explained his plan to them. Although it was the first time they saw Jack, they found him very reliable. At least, he wasn't as childish as Nancy.

"Are you trying to abandon my brother?" Nancy asked. She looked at Han Luo in disbelief.

Han Luo sighed. She didn't know why it was hard to deal with her. "It's you who are making it difficult for everyone. If you have time to act so immaturely, why don't you think about what you are doing now? We didn't keep you in the company so that you can childishly sulk and whine unreasonably. You took this job because you love to do this kind of work. No one forced you. Then, why are you acting like this after I saw we will do everything to keep his recipe safe? I believe I'm the one who is the youngest in this group, not you." her tone was sharp enough to make Nancy feel chills ran down her spine.

Han Luo softened her tone and said, "In professional and personal life, you always have to have one than one plan. We have already given you one day to think. What will we do if you still give us a negative answer? We need to have a Plan B so that we don't suffer later."

Nancy frowned and accused her, "It means you don't trust me enough."

Isla pressed her lips. She thought inwardly, 'What trust? The way you constantly make trouble for us, we already have faith that you will make more trouble for us later.'

Han Luo replied, "I do trust you. But, this is business. We have to avoid taking risks at the last moment. Let me ask you, Nancy, do you trust me?"

She had to ask Nancy that since she constantly accused her. Han Luo needed her team members to understand that she was their team leader and she wasn't someone they could trifle with.

"I…" Nancy's face turned red. She didn't have a comeback to that.

What trust? She looked down at Han Luo the moment she came to the company. Nancy came to the company way before Han Luo and she was older than her.

Han Luo was only eighteen years old. Moreover, she had zero experience in the fieldwork. How could she trust a teenager with such a big project?

And she had the audacity to accuse Han Luo for not have enough faith in her.