Chapteri On Independence Day, my mother-in-law came to visit from out of town. I decided to take her to my husband's newly opened upscale restaurant. I ordered her favorite dish, salmon in a savory braise. But when she took a bite, she immediately noticed the fish was cold, with tiny ice crystals still inside. I called over the manager, but she seemed completely unconcerned. "Oh, we forgot to microwave it," she said casually. I frowned. "Wait... you're serving pre-made dishes?" She suddenly snapped, shouting sharply, "So what if it's pre-made? Heat it up and it's good to eat! We don't have all day to cook everything fresh for you!" I pointed at the restaurant sign. "It clearly says here you only serve freshly cooked dishes. You're trying to pass off a frozen, pre-made fish? Is this how your boss trained you?" She planted her hands on her hips and straightened her back, her tone oozing arrogance. "I am the owner! You and this old hag came here to pick a fight just to get a free meal, didn't you?" She continued, practically spitting the words out. "I'm telling you, Once the seal is broken, we treat it as served. If you refuse to pay for the meal and cause a disturbance, the restaurant will charge you for damages, $3,000 in total. Pay now, or we'll call the police. If you don't pay today, don't even think about walking out that door!" Three thousand dollars for a pre-made fish? So that explains why Edward Sterling suddenly opened a restaurant-it wasn't out of a love for cooking, but as a cover to support his mistress! I reached for my phone to call Edward, but the woman beat me to it. "Honey, come to the restaurant! There are two stingy people here causing a scene and trying to get a free meal!" After that call, she seemed even more emboldened, pointing at me and my mother-in-law while shouting. "Are all the men in your family dead? One brat and one old hag showing up here to freeload!" "This is a high-end restaurant! Do people like you belong here?" "My husband's on his way, and you're finished!" Her sharp, domineering voice drew the attention of every diner in the room. Several waitstaff gathered around, echoing her with equal arrogance. Chapter1 7.14% "My advice? Just pay up. Our owner is not someone you want to mess with!" "Exactly. A few days ago, a food influencer came here to check out the place. She just argued with the owner for a moment... and our boss broke her leg-and banned her from the internet!" "How many lives do you think you have? Don't even think about causing trouble in our restaurant." My mother-in-law had lived a quiet, obedient life. It was the first time someone had publicly shouted at her like this. She paled, clutching my sleeve, and whispered, "Vanessa... did we... come to the wrong restaurant? This can't be my son's place, right?" She'd rather think we were at the wrong restaurant than believe Edward was cheating-or that he would tolerate a mistress running a scam on customers. And to be fair, in our eyes, Edward was always the perfect husband, dutiful, loving, and devoted to his family. Just a month ago, he-someone who had made waves in the financial world-announced he was entering the restaurant business, opening an upscale eatery. I asked why. He said that food safety issues were rampant, and he wanted to create a restaurant people could trust-one where ordinary people wouldn't have to eat broccoli that had been sitting around for two years or frozen beef and lamb from years past. I admired his sense of responsibility and integrity at the time. I never imagined that all this investment wasn't for a reputable restaurant... but to run a shady business and support a mistress. I stepped in front of my mother-in-law, shielding her, and glared at the woman in front of me. "Fine. I want to see this. Let's see what your husband can do when he gets here." Chapter1 7.14% In "Cinderella's Glass Slipper: The One I’ve Always Loved" by CrushReel, a heartfelt romance unfolds between a woman and the president she has long admired since youth. Overcoming insecurities about her appearance, she finds herself working closely with him as his assistant, leading to unexpected twists and turns in their relationship. This modern romance novel explores themes of self-acceptance, unrequited love, and the dynamics of power and attraction in an office setting. The unique blend of billionaire CEO dynamics, hidden feelings, and the revelation of secrets adds layers of intrigue to the story, keeping readers captivated as the plot unfolds. What sets this novel apart is its delicate balance between sweet romance and the complexities of relationships in a contemporary workplace. With each chapter, readers are drawn deeper into the emotional journey of the characters as they navigate their growing connection amidst professional responsibilities and personal desires. For those seeking a compelling tale that combines elements of romance, secrecy, and personal transformation, "Cinderella's Glass Slipper: The One I’ve Always Loved" is available to read at CrushReel, offering a captivating escape into a world where love conquers all.