Chapter 106: We’re running out of time
"Finally, we’re done with this!"
Lily and Clara wiped the sweat from their foreheads and stretched their aching backs.
Their fingers felt like they were about to fall off, but after what felt like an eternity, they had finally finished peeling the mountain of potatoes.
Lily stared at the giant tubs filled with neatly peeled potatoes and frowned.
"Madam, why do you think Chef Jaden needs this many potatoes?" she asked, utterly confused. "I checked the reception menu while you were wandering around. There’s nothing made with potatoes. Not mashed potatoes, not fries... nothing!"
While Clara had been sneaking glances around the venue, Lily had finished organizing the prep list. She had been amazed by the sheer number of dishes planned for the wedding. The menu looked fit for royalty.
Which was exactly why this potato mission made absolutely no sense.
Clara nodded solemnly.
"Maybe he’s just punishing us," she whispered dramatically. "Didn’t you see how terrified everyone looked the moment his name came up?"
She had been grateful to Adrian for helping her sneak into the venue, but meeting Chef Jaden had been a completely different experience.
She had expected him to treat her like a temporary helper and let her blend into the background.
Instead... he had sentenced her to potato duty.
Lily sighed. "I knew it. This is workplace bullying."
Just as both women silently agreed that Chef Jaden was abusing his authority...
"Ahem." The sudden cough echoed behind them.
Both Clara and Lily nearly jumped out of their skins before spinning around.
Standing behind them was another kitchen staff member whose expression looked permanently carved from stone.
"Are you two done peeling the potatoes?" he asked flatly.
Clara instantly plastered on her brightest smile.
"Hehe... yes, we’re done." She stepped forward. "But can I ask you something?"
The man gave a single nod.
"Why do we need so many potatoes?"
He pursed his lips.
Normally, he wouldn’t bother explaining anything to a newcomer. But since Chef Jaden had personally assigned her to the kitchen team—and they desperately needed every extra pair of hands—he figured there was no harm in telling her.
"There was a last-minute change," he said. "The bride requested a potato-chocolate cake for the reception."
Clara blinked.
"...A what?"
"A potato chocolate cake," the man repeated.
Lily slowly turned to Clara. "So that’s why they practically emptied an entire farm."
The man looked away and cleared his throat, as if pretending he hadn’t heard that.
"Don’t ask me," he muttered. "Rich people have... creative tastes."
Clara leaned toward Lily and whispered, "Are we sure the bride isn’t secretly opening a vegetable shop after the wedding?"
Lily bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.
"I was thinking the same thing."
The staff member sighed so deeply it sounded painful.
"If you’re done making fun of the menu," he said dryly, "pick up those potatoes and follow me."
"Where are we going?" Clara asked.
He looked at them with an expression that was equal parts pity and amusement.
"To the main kitchen."
"Why?"
"The chef himself is making the cake."
Both Clara and Lily froze.
"Chef Jaden?" Lily squeaked.
The man nodded once. "Yes."
Clara swallowed hard.
"Well... suddenly these potatoes feel much heavier."
Ignoring Clara’s comment, the staff member simply turned on his heel and walked away. Without another word, Clara and Lily picked up the heavy bucket of potatoes and hurried after him.
Lily leaned closer and whispered, "Why do I suddenly feel like we’ve walked onto the set of MasterChef?"
Clara chuckled.
"Because the man running this kitchen could probably win it all over again."
Although this was her first time meeting Chef Jaden in person, she had read countless articles about him. He was one of the youngest chefs to earn international recognition, and several of his signature dishes had won prestigious culinary awards.
Working under someone of his caliber was enough to make anyone nervous.
Clara quickly pushed those thoughts aside as they stepped into the main kitchen.
The moment they entered, chaos greeted them.
"Shit!"
Jaden hissed in pain as boiling water splashed across the back of his hand.
"Chef Jaden!"
One of the chefs rushed over, grabbing his wrist. The moment she saw the angry red skin, her expression tightened.
"That’s a bad burn."
Another staff member immediately arrived carrying a large bowl filled with ice water.
"Chef, put your hand in here."
Jaden didn’t argue. He plunged his hand into the cold water and let out a long, shaky breath.
"Damn... that stings."
A heavy silence settled over the kitchen.
Then someone finally voiced what everyone was thinking.
"How are we supposed to make the cake now?"
Another chef looked worried.
"This isn’t an ordinary dessert. It’s Chef Jaden’s signature recipe. He won several awards with this cake after creating his own version."
"No one else knows the recipe the way he does."
Meanwhile, Clara and Lily quietly stood near the entrance, still holding the bucket of potatoes.
The whispers traveled across the kitchen.
Everyone looked anxious.
No one wanted to admit it aloud, but without Jaden, the reception cake might never be finished.
Jaden pulled his hand out of the bowl and dried it with a towel.
"It’s fine," he said firmly. "I can still do it."
He reached for a mixing bowl.
The instant his injured hand gripped it—
"Ah!"
He sucked in a sharp breath and immediately let go.
The burn was far worse than he wanted to admit.
Seeing him struggle, one of the senior chefs stepped forward.
"Chef, let me assist you."
It was Tim.
He had worked under Jaden for years and understood most of his techniques.
Jaden hesitated before giving a reluctant nod.
"Fine."
Tim immediately took his position beside the workstation.
Jaden took a slow breath, forcing himself to focus.
"We’re running out of time," he muttered. "The reception starts in a few hours. This cake has to be perfect."
The wedding belonged to one of the city’s most influential families.
Failure wasn’t an option.
"Bring me the potatoes," Jaden ordered.
Clara and Lily quickly hurried over and placed the bucket beside the counter.
Tim rolled up his sleeves and reached for the ingredients.
The very next second...
"Stop."
Jaden’s sharp voice echoed across the kitchen leaving everyone froze.