Chapter 1

Harvey appeared innocent and guileless. “Mr. Lane, this shop lot belongs to my uncle. He can rent it to whomever he wants. You’re not going to get mad over this, are you? Besides, you’re such a skilled chef. You can just open up somewhere else.”

He made it sound so easy.

Somewhere else? My customers were familiar with this alley. They were used to finding me here.

If I moved my restaurant away, it would be like starting from scratch.

Meanwhile, he would be sitting in the restaurant I had just renovated, cooking with the recipes I taught him, and taking in the customers I had brought in.

This was a stab in the back.

I slowly stood up, and Jasper watched me warily. “What are you up to? I’m telling you, if you dare cause any trouble, I’ll call the police right now—”

“Mr. Smith.” I interrupted him with a smile.

“You’re right. The shop is yours, and it’s none of my business. Before the lease expires, I’ll clear everything out. Not a single item will be left behind.”

Then, I turned and walked away.

Harvey called out from behind me, “Mr. Lane, if you’re selling your equipment, let me look at them first. We’re acquaintances after all. I’ll quote you an estimate.”

I let out a cold laugh. Was he still trying to get his hands on my equipment?

He could dream on.

I ignored him and walked straight out.

As I rounded the corner of the staircase, I heard Jasper say from inside, “See that? People like him are cowards. Just scare them a little, and they’ll fall in line.”

Harvey’s laughter drifted out after that. “Uncle Jasper, you’re the man. I’m planning to change the sign next week to ‘Jordan’s Diner.’ It sounds way more modern than his lousy ‘Lane’s Kitchen.’”

I did not look back. Once inside the restaurant, I called a meeting with the staff.

“The lease is up, and Mr. Smith isn’t renewing it.” I got straight to the point. “He’s giving this space to his nephew, Harvey, to open a grill restaurant.

“I plan on moving to a new location and keeping the business going. Everyone will stay with me. Your pay will remain the same. Once the new place is up and running, I’ll give you all a raise. If that’s okay with you, we’ll start the move.”

I spoke with confidence.

There were four people working at the restaurant. Everyone had been with me for a long time; I had treated each of them with complete sincerity.

As soon as I finished speaking, Ms. Zena, one of the waitresses, was the first to speak up.

“Boss,” she said while setting her dishcloth down on the table, “Harvey came to see me.”

My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my composure. “What did he want?”

“He said they’re short a kitchen manager, and the pay is two thousand more than here,” Ms. Zena said as she avoided my gaze. “It’s work either place I go, but Harvey’s offering a higher salary.”

Wade and Flora also spoke up. “We’re staying to work for Harvey too.”

Standing nearby, Bernard’s eyes were filled with fury as he shouted, “Don’t you have any conscience left?!

“Don’t you remember how Mr. Flynn Lane has treated you all?” Bernard’s voice trembled with anger. “Ms. Zena, when your husband was hospitalized last year, Mr. Lane gave you an advance on your pay and even some extra cash. What did you say back then? You said, ‘Mr. Lane, you’re a lifesaver!’”