Chapter 6 Independent
Elara carefully placed a piece of fresh, marbled beef on the sizzling grill with her fork.
A rich aroma wafted through the air.
Elara rubbed her hands together, leaned in to take a sniff, and smiled. "Smells amazing."
It was evening at the barbecue restaurant.
Elara and Sylvia were sitting side by side in a private booth, grilling meat.
To be precise, Elara was doing the grilling while Sylvia sat silently, sipping her drink with a frown.
"Hey, don't look so down. Here, have a piece of meat. I grilled it just for you. Isn't that sweet?" Elara nudged Sylvia and placed a freshly grilled piece of beef on her plate.
Sylvia bit her lip, her eyes welling up as she looked at Elara.
In just one day, she had gone from being one of Vossshire's top artifact restorers to having a 100% cancellation rate, investors pulling out, and Story Revival Atelier on the brink of collapse.
She felt bad for Elara.
Even if she broke down and cried, it would be better than this stoic facade.
Elara had never shed a tear, not even once.
"Come on, it's not like I'm bankrupt and performing on the streets. Eat up, it won't taste as good cold!" Elara urged.
She was always passionate about two things: restoring artifacts and enjoying good food.
She busied herself with the fork, grinning as she spoke.
"I doubt it'll come to that. You and Ethan are both trust fund kids. You two could easily support me!" She laughed, savoring the meat. "And if your families go bankrupt too, we'll perform on the streets. I can write, draw, and tell stories. You can handle the promotion. As for Ethan..."
"He can't do anything and eats a lot. We might as well cut him loose and let him fend for himself!" Sylvia chuckled at the thought of Ethan.
"No way! Our unbeatable trio can't leave anyone behind. He can box. He's good at fighting, after all!" Elara laughed, planning Ethan's post-bankruptcy career.
The door to the booth swung open.
A young man with a buzz cut and casual clothes stormed in, cursing. "Who the hell wrote that hit piece? Messing with Elara? They must have a death wish. Have you found them? I'll have the guys teach them a lesson until they get it!"
His words were fierce, and his presence was intimidating.
This was Ethan Craigmor, the final piece of their trio. He had been their friend since childhood, always the one to charge ahead.
Ethan was your typical rich kid. His grandfather had started in the underworld, and though the family had since gone legit, their reputation was tainted. Ethan's father had expanded their business, making them one of Vossshire's wealthiest families.
Ethan, however, wasn't exactly a shining star, having bought his degree and lacking any real skills.
His father planned for him to marry into another wealthy family to ensure support when he took over the business.
Ethan enjoyed his carefree life, boxing and hanging out with a different crowd than the usual rich kids, earning him a decent reputation.
"Ethan, we're eating. Can you not talk about that stuff?" Sylvia knocked on the table, glaring at him.
Ethan feared nothing, not even his elders, but Sylvia's stern look made him shrink back.
He sat across from them, pouring water for Elare and Sylvia."Elara, how's it going with those jerks?" Ethan caught Sylvia's glare and whispered.
Elara couldn't help but laugh.
Whenever she was down, these two always found a way to cheer her up.
"Not yet. Here, have some meat." She handed Ethan a piece of freshly grilled beef.
"You two don't need to worry about me. We've been through so much together. What's important is that you're both here with me." Elara raised her glass, smiling.
They all took a drink and started eating.
"Ethan, think of something!" Sylvia scolded, watching him devour his food.
"Easy!" Ethan waved his hand. "It's just investors. The Craigmor clan can throw in $500,000."
"Keep it down. Don't waste your grandpa's hard-earned money," Sylvia whispered.
"I'm helping Elara. Don't make me tell on you!" Ethan retorted.
"Who are you going to tell?" Sylvia retorted.
Elara laughed, enjoying their banter.
The Blackwood and Craigmor families had been close for generations, and Ethan's aunt had married Sylvia's cousin.
Elara would never take Ethan's money. She wanted to keep their friendship pure.
"Elara has her ideals. She's not like you, always busy. And you, Ethan, find something to do!" Sylvia scolded.
"Not starting a business is my biggest contribution to the family. Unlike you, always working!" Ethan shot back.
"I'm worried that if both families fall, you'll have to become a self-made millionaire," Sylvia said.
Ethan shrugged, tossing two invitations on the table. "It's just clients and investors. Elara, come to a party with me tomorrow. Meet some big shots, network a bit. I'll take care of it!"