Chapter 108: You think you can replace me
Jaden stepped back and studied the freshly assembled cake.
For the first time since the accident, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"It turned out better than I expected," he admitted quietly.
Clara let out a relieved breath.
She wasn’t trying to prove that she was a better chef than anyone else. All she had wanted was to make sure Jaden didn’t regret trusting her.
Seeing the satisfaction in his eyes was enough.
Jaden glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.
"We’re running out of time."
His voice immediately returned to its usual professional tone.
"Everyone, move. Start setting up the buffet. The wedding ceremony should already be underway."
The staff instantly sprang into action.
"Careful with those trays."
"Take the desserts out first."
"Someone check the hot dishes before they’re served."
The once chaotic kitchen became a well-coordinated operation as everyone hurried to complete the remaining preparations.
"The cake stays here until the reception begins," Jaden instructed. "We’ll move it out when it’s time for the cake-cutting ceremony."
"Yes, Chef!"
Within minutes, everyone picked up their assigned dishes and rushed toward the banquet hall.
Clara dusted the flour off her apron and let out a long sigh.
Finally... everything was over.
She turned, intending to follow the others outside.
"Clara."
She stopped mid-step.
Turning around, she found Jaden looking directly at her.
"I’d like to speak with you after the wedding is over."
His tone was calm and unreadable.
Clara blinked. "Me?"
Jaden gave a brief nod.
"Yes."
"Is... is something wrong?"
For a brief moment, his expression softened. "We’ll talk later." That was all he said before walking away to oversee the rest of the preparations.
Clara remained standing where she was. A dozen thoughts instantly raced through her mind.
Did he recognize me? Did I make a mistake somewhere?
Was the cake not good enough? Or... was he unhappy with something I did?
She replayed every step of the baking process in her head but couldn’t think of a single error.
Even so, the uncertainty settled heavily in her chest.
Lily, who had been waiting by the kitchen door, noticed Clara standing frozen.
"What happened?" she asked.
Clara forced an awkward smile.
"I... have no idea."
She glanced in the direction Jaden had disappeared.
"But whatever he wants to say..." She swallowed nervously.
"I don’t think I’m going to stop worrying about it until this wedding is over."
Clara stood there for a few more seconds before finally turning away.
The last thing she wanted was for someone to recognize her.
Sneaking into the wedding had already been troublesome enough. If her identity were exposed now, she could only imagine the chaos that would follow.
Walking alongside the other kitchen staff, Clara entered the grand reception hall.
Her eyes immediately scanned the sea of guests.
She wasn’t looking for the bride or groom.
She was looking for Hannah.
The moment she spotted Hannah seated peacefully among the guests, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Good. She’s still here.
Her gaze then drifted toward the stage.
Ruby stood beside Eric with a radiant smile, greeting the guests as if she were living the happiest day of her life.
For a brief second, Clara simply watched.
Then her eyes settled on Eric.
Her brows slowly knitted together.
What’s wrong with him?
Why does he look like he’s seen a ghost?
His smile looked forced, and every few seconds his eyes wandered through the crowd as though searching for someone.
Clara pursed her lips.
There wasn’t an ounce of sympathy in her eyes.
After everything Eric had done to Hannah, he deserved every bit of discomfort he was feeling.
"Planning to stand here all day?"
A cold voice interrupted her thoughts.
Clara turned around.
Standing behind her with folded arms was Tim.
She blinked. "Oh... it’s you."
Tim frowned.
"What’s with that reaction?"
"I don’t know." Clara shrugged innocently. "I was expecting someone less grumpy."
The corner of Lily’s lips twitched.
Tim’s face darkened.
"Listen carefully," he said through clenched teeth. "Just because Chef Jaden chose you today doesn’t mean you’ve suddenly become important."
Clara tilted her head.
"...Important?"
"Don’t act clueless."
"I promise I’m not acting."
Tim took a step closer.
"You think you have the upper hand now."
Clara stared at him for several seconds before looking down at her own hands.
She slowly turned them over, examining both palms.
Tim frowned.
"...What are you doing?"
"I’m checking."
"Checking what?"
"My hands."
"...Your hands?"
"You keep talking about my hand."
Tim blinked.
"What?"
"You said I have the upper hand." She raised both palms. "Honestly, they look pretty equal to me."
Lily immediately covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
Several nearby staff members snorted.
Tim’s ears turned bright red.
"I’m not talking about your actual hand!"
"Oh."
Clara nodded thoughtfully.
"You should’ve said that earlier."
Tim took a deep breath.
"You’re impossible."
"That’s what my friends say too."
"I am warning you!"
"And I’m listening."
"No, you’re not!"
"I am."
"You’ve interrupted me three times!"
"I thought it was two."
Tim’s eye twitched.
Clara genuinely looked confused.
"Why are you getting so angry?"
That question was the final straw.
"Because you’re pretending not to understand!"
"I’m really not pretending."
"You think Chef Jaden trusts you now?"
"I don’t know."
"You think you’re better than me?"
"I never said that."
"You think you can replace me?"
"I’ve only been here for one day," Clara replied honestly. "Replacing you sounds like a lot of paperwork."
Someone nearby let out an audible laugh.
Tim’s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
His breathing became uneven.
"You..." he growled.
Clara sighed helplessly.
"Tim, whatever you’re thinking, it really isn’t like that. I only helped because Chef Jaden asked me to."
"Enough!"
Before Clara could react, Tim shoved her hard.
"Ah!"
She stumbled backward, completely caught off guard.
There was nothing behind her except a large decorative glass display wall that had been installed for the wedding.
Her eyes widened.
She couldn’t regain her balance in time.
Her body slammed straight into the glass.
Crash!
The beautifully arranged glass display shattered into countless glittering pieces, the deafening sound echoing throughout the grand reception hall.
In an instant...
The lively hall fell into complete silence. Every guest turned toward the source of the noise.