Chapter 745

Chapter 745:

Covington said, “Thank you for everything over the years, Mr. Crawford. But we’re here to say goodbye. We’re leaving Pavilion Foods Group to return to Skyline Restaurant.”

The announcement hit Stephen like a thunderclap. Fury surged through him, replacing his earlier bravado. “Are you three out of your minds? Fooled by this guy—again? How can you even trust him? What does that pitiful little restaurant possibly have to offer you? Let me sweeten the deal. Right now, the three of you are making a combined total of five million a year. I’ll double it—yes, double! Your combined salaries will shoot up to ten million! Do you even realize how much that is? Most small businesses don’t…

“Even come close to earning that in a year, and here you are, walking away from it. You can take back what you just said. Resign? That’s ridiculous!”

But even the promise of a ten-million-dollar salary didn’t faze them.

Covington responded calmly, “We appreciate the offer, Mr. Crawford, but this isn’t about the money. Frankly, we’re not interested. We’ve saved up for the time when Malcom couldn’t hold on anymore. That way, we could step in and take over the restaurant. Things are sorted out with Malcom, and we’ve saved enough money. Now that he needs us back, we won’t be staying with Pavilion Foods Group anymore.”

Stephen’s face contorted with anger as Covington’s words hit him like a slap. His hands trembled, fists clenched tightly at his sides, as fury boiled beneath the surface.

The truth stung. The Golden Restaurant had been his target largely because of these three exceptional chefs.

Once he had brought them on board, his interest in the restaurant had waned, and he had poured time, effort, and resources into nurturing their talent.

He thought he had done enough to earn their loyalty.

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But now, it was clear—they had reconciled with Malcom and were ready to walk away with his money and run straight back to him.

Stephen seethed at the betrayal. He had treated them well, offered them more than most would dare. Yet, in the end, they saw him as nothing more than a stepping stone.

After Covington and the other two left, following Ashton back to the restaurant without a backward glance, Stephen stood frozen in disbelief. His attempts to persuade them had been ignored, and now he watched them disappear into the distance—Fury boiled within him, so intense he nearly collapsed under its weight. He clenched his fists, seething. Losing a few might not have been catastrophic, but the humiliation was unbearable. It felt worse than a public betrayal, a direct blow to his pride and authority.

Stephen had strutted into the situation brimming with confidence, leading the Figueroa brothers to sabotage Ashton. But now, he returned alone to the Crawford family residence, humiliated, defeated, and with nothing to show for his efforts.

The memories of recent events only stoked the flames of his anger. His carefully orchestrated cooking competition, designed to humiliate Skyline Group, had backfired spectacularly. Ashton had won every round, clinching the championship with ease. The scandal of Stephen’s group resorting to cheating had ruined their reputation entirely.

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