The Billionaire Heiress In Your Kitchen

After I made my boyfriend’s restaurant a viral sensation across the entire internet, he finally decided to reveal my identity as his partner at the grand celebration banquet. Yet before he could speak, my former apprentice cut in, her voice dripping with fake innocence: "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Miller. I'm Julian's girlfriend." Instead of correcting her, Julian took the company shares that rightfully belonged to me and handed them to her in front of everyone. The staff gasped, then erupted into loud cheers. My apprentice kicked me while I was down, and Julian didn’t do a single thing to stop her. He even sneered at me, "Your cooking is decent, Scarlett, but without Chloe’s social media marketing, nobody would even know your food exists. You should be thanking her." I smiled faintly and gave a calm nod. "You're right. Actually, I don't think giving her the shares is enough. She can have my job, too." I untied my apron and walked out of the restaurant. I really wanted to see how they planned to keep this place afloat without me—their master chef and the real mastermind behind all their viral hype. In front of the entire staff, Julian announced that Chloe was now an official co-owner of The Grand Mirage. The room exploded in thunderous applause. I stared at him in disbelief. The pristine white cocktail dress I wore suddenly felt entirely out of place. "Look at Scarlett trying to dress up like a CEO," someone snickered. "She's just a line cook." "Good cooking means nothing these days. It’s all about algorithms. Without Chloe running the TikTok and Ins campaigns, we wouldn't have a single customer!" "Scarlett kept throwing her weight around just because she's the head chef and Chloe’s former mentor. Julian finally showed everyone who actually matters." The whispers among the staff were vicious. I knew they were picking sides, kissing Chloe's ring to secure their own spots. After all, to Julian, I was just an expendable cook, while Chloe was the restaurant's rising star. Chloe slipped her arm around Julian's waist, casting me a smug, venomous glance before batting her eyelashes. "Chef Scarlett, you dressed up so nicely today. You must be so happy for me, right?" "Wait... why do you look so miserable?" I stared at Julian coldly, demanding an explanation with my eyes. Julian met my gaze with pure disdain. Terrified that I might cause a scene and ruin his carefully orchestrated victory party, he snapped: "Wipe that look off your face, Scarlett. Yeah, I promised you those shares, but you proved you're useless. You almost drove this place into bankruptcy last time. Be grateful I didn’t sue you for damages." "Is that right?" I looked at the man standing before me, my heart sinking straight to rock bottom. The mess he was talking about was entirely Chloe's fault. Behind my back, she had cut corners during a private dinner for high-ranking city officials by serving thawed, pre-made frozen meals. When the guests found out and threw a fit, I stepped in and took the fall to protect her because she was my apprentice. Julian knew the truth perfectly well. Yet now, they pinned the whole blame squarely on me. Then again, I should have seen it coming. Ever since Chloe joined the team, Julian had thrown his principles out the window for her. She lacked real talent, but she was young, flirtatious, and knew exactly how to stroke his fragile ego. His heart had drifted away long ago. "Whatever makes you happy, Julian." I was done wasting my breath arguing with them. Seeing me back down, Chloe flashed a triumphant smirk before instantly morphing back into a fragile victim. "Julian, is Chef Scarlett mad at me? Maybe... maybe I shouldn't take the shares. You should give them back to her. She's been here way longer than I have." Her fake pity only deepened the sneer on Julian's face. "Don't worry about her. In this business, we reward results, not tenure. She has no real talent, and now she's taking her jealousy out on you." The surrounding employees chimed in with petty laughs and mocking remarks. Listening to them, I felt a bitter chill in my chest. Every ounce of devotion I had poured into this man had been fed to the dogs. Julian claimed he was sparing my dignity, but when had he ever shown me any respect? Julian and I built The Grand Mirage from scratch. He didn't know the first thing about running a restaurant; I managed every single detail from day one. I put together the marketing team. I stood over the scorching stove for hours, using my family’s secret recipes. I even tapped into my personal connections to bring in A-list celebrities and elite foodies, creating the massive buzz that put this place on the map. I had bled for this restaurant for years. And now that The Grand Mirage was a smashing success, Julian handed all the credit to Chloe on a silver platter. Fine. There was no reason for me to stay. I fixed Julian and Chloe with a long, piercing look. Chloe instantly shrank behind Julian. "Julian, she's scaring me..." Julian glared at me furiously. "Scarlett, what the hell are you trying to pull?! You want to get violent? You try anything, and I'll kick your ass to the curb right now!" I unclenched my fists and almost laughed out loud. To protect Chloe, Julian had used that exact threat against me more times than I could count. In the past, I loved him too blindly. I bought into his sweet promises, genuinely believing that if we made this restaurant successful, he would finally marry me. Now, the blindfold was ripped off. I calmly untied my apron and tossed it onto the counter. "You don't have to kick me out. I'm leaving." Startled by my sudden defiance, Julian froze. I turned on my heel and walked toward the exit. "Scarlett! Stop right there!" Behind me, Julian's voice cracked with desperate rage. "If you walk out that door today, don't you dare ever come crawling back!" I didn't look back. I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in years. "Grandpa... I'm ready. I'll come home and take over the family business."My grandfather was the reclusive billionaire chairman of Vance Hospitality Group, the largest culinary empire in the country. When I first met Julian, he complained endlessly about how much he despised spoiled, lazy trust-fund babies. So, I hid who I really was. For him, I rejected my gilded destiny. I abandoned my wealth, walked away from my family, and ran off with him. For him, an heiress with a fortune at her fingertips willingly became an ordinary line cook. Only now did I realize how pathetic my so-called love had been. After hanging up, I went back to the apartment I shared with Julian to pack my things. On our bed lay rose petals, scented candles, a custom bridal gown, the deed to a luxury penthouse I bought for him, and a sparkling diamond ring. I had imagined a thousand times how overjoyed he would be when I finally surprised him with all of this. Now, I swept everything into my suitcase, ready to walk out for good. Opening Instagram, I saw a new post from Chloe. In the photo, a flushed Julian wrapped his arms tightly around Chloe, who curled up against his chest like a pampered kitten. Even though I had already decided to let go, my chest still tightened with a sharp ache. Chloe’s caption read: *Thank you all for the love and blessings!* The old me would have exploded with rage, spamming Julian's phone in a jealous fit. Not anymore. I blocked both Julian and Chloe on every platform. I never wanted to see either of them again. Moments later, Julian's call came through on my regular line. His voice barked through the speaker, trembling with fury: "What is your problem, Scarlett?! You blocked me?! Just because I gave Chloe the shares? You're completely talentless, and now you have the nerve to be jealous?!" My grip on the phone tightened. "Am I really talentless, Julian? Do you honestly believe that?" He hesitated for a second, then his voice grew even louder and nastier. "You dare talk back to me?! Scarlett, you’re getting way too big for your boots! You think knowing how to cook a few dishes makes you special? You don't even hold a candle to Chloe!" "I've never tried to compete with her," I said coldly, enunciating every syllable. "Because she isn't even in my league." I hung up before he could respond. He called back repeatedly, but I ignored every single ring. When he realized I wasn't answering, the texts started rolling in. *Hang up on me again and see what happens! Who do you think you are? You think The Grand Mirage can't survive without you? If Chloe hadn't hyped you up, your garbage food would be an embarrassment.* *Get your ass over here right now and apologize to Chloe! If you beg, I might let you drive me home. Otherwise, you can kiss any chance of marrying me goodbye!* A cold sneer formed on my lips. I wasn't about to waste another second on him. I powered off my phone and went to sleep.Whenever Julian stayed out drinking late, I used to stay awake all night worrying sick about his safety, clutching my phone by the bed. I was done degrading myself like that. I lay down and, for the first time in years without the crushing pressure of the kitchen, slept like a baby. Half an hour later, the bedroom door was violently kicked open with a deafening bang. I woke up with a jolt. Julian stood over the bed, his face twisted in pure rage. "Scarlett, have you lost your damn mind?! You hung up on me and refused to pick me up?!" Groggy and annoyed, I pushed the covers aside and sat up. "Didn't you just go public with Chloe? Have your precious girlfriend drive you home." I was merely stating a fact, but Julian suddenly scoffed. "Are you seriously throwing a jealous fit over that? God, Scarlett, I have never met a woman as petty as you! But..." He paused, his chest puffing up with arrogance. "Since you clearly care so much, I'll throw you a bone. There's nothing going on between Chloe and me. That post was just a PR stunt to boost the restaurant's engagement." He leaned closer, the pungent stench of cigarette smoke burning my nostrils. Julian didn't smoke. That was Chloe’s favorite brand of clove cigarettes. He kept droning on, completely pleased with himself. "Tomorrow morning, go apologize to Chloe. Once she forgives you, I'll let you have your job back in the kitchen." The smug smirk on his face showed he was dead certain I would jump at the chance. Instead, I scowled and shoved him away. "Not happening. Get out." I stood up and headed straight for the guest bedroom. Behind me, Julian shouted hysterically, "Scarlett! Keep playing these stupid games and see where it gets you! Just you wait!" Without looking back, I locked the guest room door and went back to sleep. The next morning, I stretched and stepped out into the living room. Julian was sitting at the kitchen island, looking unnervingly calm and gentle, like a doting husband waiting for his bride. In front of him sat two takeout bowls of gourmet wonton soup. One of them had already been opened. Catching sight of me, Julian flashed a tender smile toward the hallway behind me: "Chloe, hurry up! The soup is getting cold!" I turned around. Chloe stepped out wearing nothing but a bath towel, drying her wet hair. Seeing me, she smiled sweetly. "Good morning, Chef Scarlett! Julian and I worked up quite a sweat exercising last night, so I borrowed your shower. You don't mind, right?" She paused, glancing at the island. "Wait, Julian, why did you only get two bowls? Didn't you buy any for Scarlett?" Julian scoffed coldly. "She doesn't deserve it. Come here, Chloe. Let me feed you." He scooped up a wonton and fed it to her, shooting me a triumphant, mocking smirk. Looking at his pathetic smugness, I saw right through him. He was trying to provoke me, desperate to watch me break down in a jealous rage so he could sit on his high horse and bask in my obsession with him. He used to pull this trick all the time. But it wouldn't work anymore. Without a word, I walked right past them and left the apartment. Even though I was done with The Grand Mirage, I had to make one final trip. Months ago, to help the restaurant gain the prestige it needed for an upcoming buyout, I practically begged the legendary culinary master, Chef Harrison, to visit and give us his endorsement. No matter what, I had to settle that before cutting ties completely. When I arrived at the restaurant, a massive crowd had already gathered outside. Word had leaked that Chef Harrison was coming, and food critics from all over the city were waiting eagerly. The restaurant had been hyping up this visit on social media for weeks, but none of them knew that I was the one who pulled the strings. Naturally, everyone credited Chloe. To my surprise, Chloe had arrived before me. The moment I stepped through the doors, I heard staff members fawning over her. "Chloe is seriously amazing! She got our name out there so well that even the legendary Chef Harrison is coming!" Others immediately chimed in: "Seriously! And that line cook Scarlett actually thought she could compete with Chloe. Talk about completely delusional." Basking in the flattery, Chloe preened like a peacock. "Oh, don't be too harsh on her. If Scarlett hadn't pushed me out of the kitchen because she felt threatened, I wouldn't have focused on social media and made us blow up like this." A chorus of sneers followed. "She was just jealous! Who the hell does Scarlett think she is, trying to measure up to you, Chloe?" While they were busy kissing her ass, I walked right into the dining room. "Well, well. Isn't that Scarlett? I thought you quit. What are you doing creeping back here?" "She probably heard Chef Harrison is visiting and wants to ride Chloe’s coattails!" They stared at me with pure contempt. I fixed my cold gaze on Chloe. "Ride her coattails? Chloe knows better than anyone whose coattails she's been riding." "You've got some nerve!" A line cook stepped forward, eager to defend Chloe. "Are you implying Chloe is riding *your* coattails? Take a look in the mirror! What are you compared to her?" "Exactly! Chloe made this restaurant famous and brought Chef Harrison here. Can you do that?" They looked at me like I was a joke. "Don't tell us you're going to claim *you* invited Chef Harrison!" I tilted my head. "What if I told you I did?""Scarlett, what the hell are you doing making a scene here again?!" Julian's angry voice boomed from behind. "Who gave you permission to stand here?" "Julian, thank goodness you're here!" Chloe rushed behind him, playing the frightened victim. "Please talk some sense into her. Scarlett is telling everyone she invited Chef Harrison. He's going to be here any minute! If he overhears this nonsense..." Enraged, Julian stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face. "Shut your lying mouth! Chef Harrison came here because of Chloe’s reputation! How can you be so utterly shameless?!" I held my stinging cheek, staring straight into his eyes. "Shameless? Julian, you still have no idea who actually built this restaurant, do you?" "Who built it?" Julian laughed mockingly. "You're not about to claim it was you, are you? Scarlett, you're nothing but a line cook. Stop trying to inflate your own worth." "Julian is right, Scarlett!" Chloe piped up, her voice laced with venom. "I let it slide when you stole credit for my work before, but Chef Harrison’s visit is crucial to our future. I won't let you ruin it with your delusions." Julian stepped up and raised his hand again, striking my other cheek. "Petty, selfish bitch! Get on your knees and apologize to Chloe right now!" My fists clenched tight. I caught the triumphant gleam dancing in Chloe's eyes. "And if I refuse?" "Then get the hell out! Get out of The Grand Mirage! I will blacklist you from this entire industry! You will never work in a kitchen again as long as you live!" I raised an eyebrow, finding it almost hilarious. "Blacklist me?" Julian took my reaction as a sign of defeat, his chest swelling with smug superiority. "That's right! Scarlett, you are an expendable nobody, while Chloe has direct ties to a culinary legend! You'd better understand right now: without me, you're nothing!" "Is that a promise?" I let out a chilling laugh. "Julian, are you absolutely certain she’s the one with the connection to Chef Harrison? Are you sure you want to ruin me for her?" "Damn right! If you apologize to Chloe right now, I might show mercy. But this time, you do it on your knees." Julian stood tall, confident he held all the cards. Chloe sashayed over to me with a pitying smirk. "I'm so sorry, Scarlett. It's Julian's call. I really can't go against his wishes." Just as she finished speaking, a commanding, thunderous voice roared from the entrance. "Who is making her kneel?! Who dares to make her kneel?!" The crowd parted instantly in shock. Someone gasped out loud: "Chef Harrison! The culinary master is here!"