Chapter 210 210: Back In Business

"You must be Julia," Ethan said with a small smile before extending his hand for a shake, "I am Ethan Carter, I used to work for your mom."Julia looked at him with a bit of suspicion, though he dressed simply, there was no denying that the aura he gave off.

And the last time some rich kid visited their restaurant, the place became like this.

"What do you want?" She asked without taking his hand, though Ethan didn't mind since he understood her suspicion.

"Let's just say, I'm here to offer help," he said as he sat back down, "since this is kind of my fault."

"Your fault?" Instead of Julia, Audrey, who was back from the kitchen, was the one who asked.

She had a look of confusion on her face because as far as she knew, Ethan hadn't been around this place since he told her that he was about to embark on some kind of business?

"I went to the same university as Leonard and Chad," Ethan explained, "and they didn't like the fact that I wasn't their puppy...or maybe it was the fact that I was smarter?"

Julia's eyes twitched a little, talk about being modest, Audrey though, didn't question him since she had been a witness to his genius.

Especially since he worked for her, for quite a while before quitting.

"But this doesn't feel like just some college grudge," Julia said, "no one is that petty... right?"

"They are," Ethan shook his head, " especially since I still refused to bow to them when we attended a get together."

Audrey took a seat, there was a frown on her face before she asked, "how does targeting Blue Lantern, get to you?"

"I have a similar question," Ethan said, "but if I had to guess, I'd say Chad must've thought the old man owes me something since I frequented this place."

"That's absurd," Julia said, "this place is a restaurant, people are meant to frequent it."

"Chad's not the brightest," Ethan answered with a small chuckle before turning to Audrey, "though, it wasn't just the restaurant, was it?"

Audrey shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her only family, apart from Julia, was already dealing with something, there was no way she would add to his worry.

"What do you mean?" Julia asked Ethan, but he just shook his head and replied, "it's nothing."

She suspiciously turned to her mother but was only met with a small smile.

Ethan had seen Audrey's reaction to his words, so he guessed that she hadn't told the other two about the academy just yet, so it wasn't his place to.

"Julia, can you give us a moment," Audrey suddenly said, "I have something to discuss with Ethan."

Julia was still a bit suspicious, but chose to say nothing, instead she just walked to the kitchen, where her grandpa was prepping Ethan's food.

"You lied, Mrs Harper," Ethan said with a small frown on his face, "the academy has also been targeted by those three."

With a sigh, Audrey placed a hand on her forehead, softly massaging it before speaking up.

"My uncle and daughter already have a lot to worry about," she started, "I can't just selfishly add to that."

There was silence between the two for a while before Ethan broke it.

"You should've told me at least," He said causing her to lift her head and look at him.

"And what would that change?" Audrey replied, her tone a bit sharper than she intended for it to be.

"I still owe you for offering me a job," he said in response, "that's the only reason why I was able to survive in Atlanta all this while."

She looked at him with a bit of surprise before sighing and letting out a small chuckle, "you and I know that's not true."

"You were largely overqualified for that job," She continued, "we were even lucky to have you as a teacher, even if it's just part-time."

She was right, even before his regression, Ethan had always dreamt of starting his own company, hence the reason he hadn't tried applying for a job after graduation and running away from María's affection.

But at the same time, he needed a way to pay rent and eat, so he had no choice but to apply at the Newton Academy when he randomly saw the flier for a job opening.

Still, they were the first that had invested in his company in his past life, even if indirectly, so he owed them.

"I'll help you," Ethan offered, "besides, this is still my fault."

"And how do you plan on doing that?" Audrey asked, giving up on arguing or trying to convince him not to help, after all, they were barely keeping both the school and restaurant running.

They needed all the help they could get.

"First thing's first," Ethan muttered looking around the restaurant, "let's make this place presentable and bring back your customers."

Audrey looked around and nodded in agreement, this place looked like some kind of abandoned ghost town.

It was in no way presentable or in any state to receive customers.

"And what's in it for you?" She asked the question in her mind, since there was no way he was just doing this because he felt guilty right?

Ethan smiled, seemingly pleased with the question before raising three fingers.

"Thirty percent of your profits," he explained, "I'll invest as much as needed in the restaurant as you like, all I want is thirty percent of the profits you make every month."

Audrey paused at the request for a while, it might sound absurd at first, but when she thought about it, this was their only chance to save this place.

She couldn't bear to watch it die, especially given the fact that the old man had been running this place for twenty years, and as much as he tried hiding it, the lack of customers broke his heart.

"And here I was hoping you'd say it was because you felt guilty," Audrey said with a chuckle.

"Well," Ethan leaned back with a small, "it is an opportunity for profit after all."

"You sound like some kind of greedy businessman," Audrey finished with a sigh, though there was the faintest smile tugging at her lips.

"Investor," Ethan corrected with a smile.

"Same difference," she said with a chuckle, before silence returned between the two again.

With a sigh, Audrey said, "I'll have to discuss it with the old man first."

"Discuss what with me?" At that moment, the old man finally stepped out of the kitchen with Ethan's order, before setting it in front of him.

"Ethan's offering to help," Audrey summarized, "for thirty percent of the restaurant's profit."

The old man seemed to think over it for a while and Ethan didn't interrupt, instead, he dug into the second serving as he slowly ate.

After a while of thinking, the old man stood up and unexpected by the duo, he bowed, "i-if you can help so I don't lose my life's work, then I don't care how much of my profits I have to share."

Ethan was a bit stunned at both his actions and words, especially given the fact that he wasn't doing this for free, but the old man's reaction was understandable.

This place was given to him as a wedding gift from his wife and although she had passed away, this was their legacy.

He had been afraid, thinking that he'd have no choice but to close this place down after twenty years of running it.

But Ethan's offer to help was a miracle.

He didn't care what percentage Ethan was asking for, as long as this place could stay open, he would accept any condition.

"Please raise your head," Ethan said quickly, standing up as well. He hadn't expected the bow, and though he never showed it, a small wave of guilt tugged at him.

He didn't like seeing people who had done nothing wrong kneel for help he could give effortlessly.

The old man straightened, eyes slightly wet but posture firm. "If you can save Blue Lantern, then you have my gratitude."

"Then it's settled," Ethan said with a calm smile as he sat back down, "I'll draft up the agreement later today. You only need to sign once you're comfortable."

Audrey let out a slow breath, tension easing from her shoulders. This was the first good news they'd had in months.

Julia came out of the kitchen then, wiping her hands on a towel. "What did I miss?"

The old man turned to her with a wide smile on his face as he said, "were back in business."