Chapter 0207


    He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Frederick. Pleasure.”


    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    “Same to you,” I respond with a smile.


    Frederick pauses, then licks his lips and speaks. “It’s making some waves, you know. Your reputation


    about your staff. You should consider yourself fortunate if it doesn’t affect your ratings.”


    My fingers curl around the armrests of the chair. “If ites to that, I’ll deal with it. But honestly, I’m not


    worried.”


    Daniel arches an eyebrow. “You must be quite brazen, then, to not worry about such things.”


    I grind my teeth, forcing a smile on my face. “And what about you, Daniel? Where’s your restaurant?”


    Suddenly, the older man who has been silent all along speaks up, still not looking my way. “Daniel


    owns a two-star restaurant. I’m Bryan, by the way.”


    Daniel smirks, and I feel a twinge of envy. In the culinary world, there are three star ratings: one being a


    basic restaurant, two being an Alpha hotspot, and three? Well, those are reserved for the best of the


    best.


    La Belle Vie Bistro’s reputation has been slowly climbingtely, but we’re still one star. Bing a two-


    star restaurant feelings like a distant dream right now, and it’s something that only one woman chef has


    ever aplished in this country. I have faith that it wille eventually, but not for a while. Star


    ratings aren’t handed out like candy.


    However, I manage to shake my envy off quickly. After all, stars aren’t everything. Daniel’s attitude, on


    the other hand, leaves much to be desired.


    I guess I expected rivalry in thispetition, but not like this. I feel the intense need to prove him


    wrong—to show him that I deserve to be here as much as anyone else, if not more.


    The makeup artist gestures for me toe over, and I willingly oblige, giving myself a chance to be


    separated from Daniel and his needlingments. As I walk away, I feel Daniel’s gaze on me, as if


    he’s sizing up hispetition.


    Well, let him look. Let him underestimate me.


    I sit in the chair and the makeup artist gets to work, but my mind is racing. Daniel’s snidements


    have lit a fire in me, and I’m more determined than ever to give this cook-off everything I’ve got. After


    all, I’ve faced worse adversaries, and I’ve alwayse out on top.


    Frederick’s words are also ringing in my ears. Waves? What did he mean by that? Is hiring Anton—


    someone who deserved a chance—really something that could backfire on me? The thought makes


    me grit my teeth.


    If doing the right thing is going to bring me criticism, then so be it. I’ll face it head-on, just like everything


    else.


    I look at my reflection as the artist applies the finishing touches. My eyes meet my own, and for a


    moment, I hardly even recognize myself. My hair is curled into perfect waves rather than its usual bun,


    my face is perfectly blushed and contoured, and my eyshes are longer than ever.


    Is this what it’s like to be a female chef in the public eye? A doll to be made up whenever I need to get


    people to like me?


    The makeup artist leans back, admiring her work. “You’re all set,” she says, nodding more to herself


    than to me. “You can head to the greenroom.”


    I force a smile and stand, smoothing my shirt down. “Thank you.”


    My eyes widen.


    Is this…


    “Vanessa Greene?” I find myself blurting out, my mouth agape. Read at NovelDrama.Org


    My biggest role model in the entire world.