Tatum informed the butler of the hotel where he was currently staying.

The butler replied, “Mr. York, please wait for a moment in the rest area on the first floor of the hotel. I will arrange for someone to pick you up.”

Tatum raised his eyebrows and asked, “Now? Is the re-examination ahead of schedule?”

The butler explained over the phone, “No, the re-examination schedule remains unchanged. Our eldest lady instructed us to inform you. She mentioned that hiring a renowned chef has become a significant event, with hundreds of people watching to ensure your competitors do not deceive you. I regret to inform you that I cannot conduct the retest tomorrow.

The eldest lady requested that I pick you up early and have you stay at the manor for one night, so every candidate can be interviewed and re-examined as planned.

You are the first person scheduled for a re-examination, Mr. York. We will certainly take you back to the manor for one night, ensuring your food is safe, and that you won’t be drugged or experience any adverse effects.”

Tatum replied, “…Okay.” It seemed excessive to create such a fuss over hiring a chef! Tatum finally recognized the influence of his future wife.

“Mr. York, please be cautious. Last time, his opponent secretly drugged him while he was dining out, causing him severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. Consequently, he was unable to attend the rescheduled re-examination, and it appeared he had voluntarily forfeited.”

Tatum said, “Thank you for the reminder, butler. I’m currently enjoying coffee in the hotel’s café on the first floor. I’ll head to the rest area to wait for a while.”

“Good.” The butler offered a few more words before ending the call.

After the butler hung up, Tatum turned to Mr. and Miss Tran and said, “Mr. Tran, Miss Tran, I need to return to my room to retrieve something, so I won’t be able to accompany you. This time, I’ll cover the cost of the coffee.”

“Thank you, Mr. York. Now, Mr. York, please go and get to work.” Enrique chose not to argue with Tatum about payment anymore, perhaps because he realized he had lost and was in a foul mood.

Tatum stood up and exited the room.

After Tatum left, Emery turned to her father and said, “Dad, Mr. York can be quite defensive, and his claims may not be trustworthy. Don’t lose your confidence just yet. If we wait, there will always be a chance for a retest.

You’ve certainly been studying this field longer than Mr. York. He’s still very young and looks only a few years older than I am. You know my current situation. Regardless of his skill level, it has limitations. Dad, don’t let someone else’s ambition undermine your own reputation.”

After taking a bite of a snack, Enrique remarked, “He makes his best snacks, which shows he is quite capable. Don’t underestimate young people. While one might overlook an older person, one should never underestimate a determined youth. Young people have immense potential; he may possess real talent.” Visit owlstorynest for the latest chapter of this novel.

Emery took a couple of sips of coffee and replied, “No matter how talented he is, he’s still young. How many exquisite dishes can he really create? Even if he joins the Ormond family as a chef, how long will he last? Everyone knows that Miss Ormond is notoriously picky. She doesn’t repeat the same dish every day, and it must be both delicious and appealing. While it may sound straightforward, it’s quite a challenge to achieve.”

“Dad, I helped you sort things out. For those who work as chefs in the Ormond family, the longest tenure is six months, while the shortest is just two weeks.”

After a moment of silence, Enrique replied, “If I still can’t secure a job this time, I will accept it and face reality. I’m getting older, and despite my efforts, I haven’t made much progress. I don’t want to cause any more trouble. You’re still young, so you can take over my classes and study diligently. Next time there’s a cooking competition, I’ll help you sign up so you can explore the world.”

Emery responded optimistically, “Okay. Dad, even if you can’t apply for the job, with your current skills, I can’t say you’ll become a magic chef, but you could certainly gain recognition in our area.”

Enrique smiled but didn’t reply.

Emery continued, “Mr. York is really good-looking. Perhaps the eldest daughter of the Ormond family will notice his looks and make an exception to hire him. This is the first time I’ve seen such a handsome man pursuing a culinary career. If he enters the entertainment industry, he would undoubtedly become famous.”