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96
Chapter 96
Connor paused briefly before responding, “Alright then.
With permission granted, Camila was in high spirits.
The next day, Camila slept until she woke naturally and dressed in casual wear before heading back to the old neighborhood in the city. It had been a while since she felt such a down–to–earth atmosphere.
Street vendors hawked their snacks, and Camila bought a corn dog to munch on as she walked. As she approached Cole’s fruit shop, Camila tossed the stick in the trash and wiped her mouth clean. Claire had told her not to eat such things, and certainly, she couldn’t let Cole find out.
“Hey Cole,” Camila greeted as she stood at the entrance of the fruit shop.
Cole, busy weighing fruit for customers, waved back at her.
Then she reached the diner.
“Mom.”
Claire was overjoyed to see her daughter, “My dear, we live in the same city, but it’s been so long since you’ve visited.”
“I’ve been busy at the headquarters,” Camila said, playfully hugging her mom. She then turned and noticed the diner was empty. “Why are there no customers at this time?”
Claire sighed helplessly, “A new diner opened across the street, offering really cheap prices, and it’s drawn our customers away.”
“Cheaper than ours?” Camila asked, surprised. Their diner’s prices were already low, with daily fresh ingredients and minimal profit margins.
“Regular portion is for five dollars and large portion for seven,” Claire explained.
“How are they even making a profit?” Camila was shocked. Such prices were rare even in smaller cities, let alone a major one, where rent and utility costs were high.
Cole then came in and said, “I asked around about the landlord. The person who rented that place is a young woman named Tabitha.”
“Why would a young girl run a loss–making business?” Claire wondered.
Camila stared at the bustling diner across the street, clenching her fists. Claire didn’t know, but Camila did. There was only one person who would go against them like this.
To hurt the enemy at the cost of hurting oneself even more was stupid. Only the reckless Tabitha could do something like this.
“Mom, maybe we should close the diner. I now earn enough money. I can take care of you, and you can enjoy some peace,” Camila said earnestly.
Claire held Camila’s hand, smiling. “Sweetheart, I’m proud of you, but I’m still young and can work. Save your money. When I’m too old to make ravioli, then you can take care of me.”
“Mom, I’m serious.”
“I am too, dear. It doesn’t make sense for me to rely on you while I’m still capable. Although business isn’t great, some loyal customers still prefer my ravioli. I can’t bear to close down.”
“That diner won’t last long. They are losing money every day. Once they raise their prices, no one will go there,” Cole added.
“Exactly, it’s losing thousands a month. Surely, the owner isn’t foolish,” Claire chuckled. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
Camila sighed. The owner WAS foolish, and for Tabitha’s family, a few thousand was just a trivial amount.
That jerk had already broken her mother’s heart. She didn’t want her mother to suffer more because of his new family.
“Mom, promise me that if that diner is still open after three months, we’ll close ours, and I’ll take care of you,” Camila said.
“Okay, I promise you,” Claire nodded.
Cole, you’re our witness!” Camila looked at Cole.
Cole nodded in agreement.