Chapter 24: Are you still hiring
The next morning, Clara got ready and joined Dominic and Hannah at the breakfast table.
Unlike the previous evening, the atmosphere was noticeably quieter. No one spoke. The only sounds in the dining room were the clinking of cutlery against plates as everyone focused on their breakfast.
Clara stole a few cautious glances at Hannah before lowering her head again.
After what had happened the previous night, she knew Hannah was still upset.
"I’ll head to the office first."
A few minutes later, Dominic finished his meal. He wiped his hands with a napkin before standing up. Without waiting for a response, he picked up his suit jacket and walked out of the dining room, leaving just the two behind.
"Ahem..."
Clara hesitated for a moment before clearing her throat.
Hannah looked up.
"About last night..." Clara began. "I’m sorry for accusing Eric."
She lowered her eyes apologetically. "I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions."
Hannah stared at her for a few seconds, seemingly surprised by the apology.
"I... it’s okay," she finally replied.
Clara blinked. She had expected Hannah to lash out or ignore her completely.
Instead, Hannah simply sighed.
"But don’t say something like that again," Hannah said seriously. "Eric isn’t that kind of person."
Clara forced a small smile and nodded. "I won’t."
At least... not without proof.
After everything that had happened, Clara finally understood that warning Hannah with nothing but suspicion would only push her further away. That was why she had immediately told Dominic she must have mistaken someone else for Eric.
Until she had concrete evidence, exposing him would only make Hannah trust him even more.
But that didn’t mean she intended to stop investigating. Not when she knew the kind of man Eric truly was.
She couldn’t just stand by and watch Hannah ruin her life for someone who treated women like disposable toys.
Hannah quietly finished the rest of her breakfast before standing up.
"I’ll get going."
"Have a good day."
Hannah looked at Clara in surprise. But then she nodded.
"You too." With that, Hannah picked up her handbag and walked out of the mansion.
A few minutes later, she got into her car. The moment the door closed, the composed expression she had maintained throughout breakfast disappeared.
She leaned back against the seat and slowly closed her eyes. A long, shaky breath escaped her lips.
She had tried so hard not to let Clara’s words affect her. She had even convinced herself that everything was just a misunderstanding. But despite her efforts...the doubt had already taken root.
Ever since hearing another woman’s voice on Eric’s phone that night, she hadn’t been able to completely dismiss the incident.
Eric had explained that his assistant had answered the call while he was busy.
It sounded reasonable. Yet...something about it didn’t sit right with her.
She had interacted with Eric’s assistant countless times over the years. The voice she heard last night wasn’t hers.
Hannah slowly opened her eyes.
"No..." She immediately shook her head. "I can’t think like this."
She and Eric had been together for years. They had built their future together. She couldn’t allow one unanswered question to destroy everything they had shared.
Resting both hands on the steering wheel, Hannah took several slow, deep breaths.
"Don’t jump to conclusions," she whispered to herself.
"You can’t doubt Eric without proof."
Repeating those words helped her calm the turmoil in her heart.
After a few moments, she started the engine, and the car slowly pulled away from the mansion, disappearing through the gates.
But although Hannah tried to convince herself everything was fine... the seed of doubt had already been planted.
And once doubt entered the heart... it was rarely easy to erase.
***
Meanwhile, Clara arrived at the shop with Silvia and Lily.
After posting a recruitment advertisement for employees, she had been looking forward to meeting potential applicants. She had spent the previous evening making sure every detail was perfect, hoping people would begin walking through the door today.
However, as the morning slowly passed...not a single person showed up.
Clara rested her chin on her palm and stared at the entrance.
"Did I post the advertisement incorrectly?" she muttered to herself.
A second later, she shook her head.
"No... that can’t be it."
After all, Dominic had personally helped her improve the advertisement.
The thought of him made a smile unconsciously appear on her face.
Ever since that kiss... he had become surprisingly cooperative.
When she asked him for a favor, he hadn’t even hesitated. Not only had he helped her create a more professional recruitment advertisement, but he had also suggested several improvements to the shop’s promotional pamphlets.
Clara had spent her free time designing them while Silvia and Lily cleaned the house.
She couldn’t deny it.
"My husband is incredibly capable." The corners of her lips curved upward.
"As expected of Dominic."
Feeling a little more confident, Clara continued waiting patiently.
Surely someone would come.
...
A few steps away, Silvia and Lily watched their mistress from behind the counter.
Silvia folded her arms and clicked her tongue.
"How long is Madam planning to sit there?" she muttered quietly.
"No one’s coming."
"Just because she baked a few delicious cookies doesn’t mean she knows how to run a business."
Although Silvia had shamelessly eaten several of Clara’s cookies the previous night—and even secretly wanted more—she still refused to admit that Clara might actually be capable.
Lily glanced at her before shaking her head. "I don’t think so."
Silvia frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I think Madam will succeed." There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in Lily’s voice.
"She’s determined, she’s hardworking, and she’s willing to learn. Those are qualities successful people usually have."
Silvia rolled her eyes. "So you’re taking Madam’s side now?"
Lily shrugged casually. "I’m just being honest."
She smiled faintly.
"After tasting her desserts last night, I realized Madam has more talent than either of us expected."
Silvia pursed her lips.
She wanted to argue. But remembering the cookies she had eaten... she couldn’t find a single excuse. So she simply huffed and looked away.
Just then, Lily’s eyes suddenly lit up.
"Madam..."
Clara looked over. "What is it?"
Lily pointed toward the entrance.
"I think your first applicant is here."
Everyone instinctively turned toward the door. The small bell above the entrance chimed softly.
A young woman, who looked to be in her early twenties, cautiously stepped inside.
She paused for a moment, looking around the cozy little bakery before smiling politely.
"Excuse me..."
She looked directly at Clara.
"I saw your recruitment advertisement outside."
"Are you still hiring?"
Clara’s eyes immediately brightened.
After waiting the entire morning... her very first applicant had finally arrived.