Chapter 363
“Eaton, Mabel, Valerie, you can’t go into the inner courtyard p>
A server spotted them and quickly moved to stop them. There were three of them in total-one guy and two girls. Both girls had really gone all out for their lunch at Hearth & Kettle, showing up in gorgeous traditional dresses with fluffy shawls over their shoulders. They looked incredible. The guy, on the other hand, was just wearing a plain puffer jacket. Nothing special about him. Of course, the staff knew all three of them since they were regulars.
“Why not? I just saw two people go in there,” Mabel protested. She was a big fan of anything old or historic, and she loved Hearth & Kettle’s classic vibe. She even thought the inner courtyard was being opened up today for everyone to check out, since it was the first day back after the holidays. So she’d dragged her friends over, feeling excited, only to get blocked at the door.
The server hesitated, looking just as confused. “I’m not really sure. The gate just opened suddenly today p>
Right then the manager hurried over, saving the day. “That’s the owner of Hearth & Kettle p>
Mabel blinked in surprise. “Wait, you mean Hearth & Kettle has an actual owner? Isn’t your boss the owner p>
She was lost for a second, trying to piece it together.
“Our boss owns the restaurant, but not the entire estate,” the manager explained.
“Oh, so you’re saying the restaurant is in the front part, and someone else owns the rest, like the courtyard?” Mabel asked, realization dawning on her.
“Yeah, the inner courtyard has always been locked because it belongs to the original owner. Our boss is just friends with her, so she rents out the front for the restaurant p>
Since Jennifer hadn’t said they needed to keep this secret, the manager just went ahead and told them.
Mabel was even more curious. “Wow, so there’s a whole other owner? Can we meet her? I’d really love to see inside p>
She stood on her tiptoes, trying to get a peek, and caught sight of Claire and Dane coming out after their walk inside. Claire was holding a branch of winter blossoms she’d snipped from the courtyard, their fresh scent drifting through the air She looked like she was glowing totally enchanted by the flowers.
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“The owner’s right there. If you want to meet her you can wait until she comes out,” the manager said. He wasn’t about to introduce them himself, but he wasn’t shutting them down, either. After all, these three were valued customers. No point picking a fight.
Mabel and her friends immediately assumed Dane was the owner. Mabel nudged Eaton. “Eaton, look at him. Isn’t he cute? Should I go up and ask if we can look around inside? Maybe he’ll say yes p>
But Eaton wasn’t looking at Dane. He was squinting at Claire instead, thinking she looked kind of familiar. But with his nearsightedness, he couldn’t really tell.
“Mabel, honestly, the girl next to him is just as gorgeous. He might not even notice you,” Eaton replied.
Mabel was undeniably pretty-a
classic kind of beauty. But next to Claire and Dane, it was like they were meant to be together. If Mabel had any ideas about fting Eaton, doubted she’d get very far
“I’m not trying to flirt, I just want to see the garden,” Mabel said, rolling her eyes.
Her best friend Valerie grinned. “You should try anyway, Mabel. Who knows? Maybe he’ll fall for you at first sight p>
Mabel definitely wasn’t holding her breath. She knew she wasn’t exactly the most beautiful girl in the world. She just came from money and had a knack for fashion, which always helped her stand out.