My Six Brothers Killed Me (Caroline)

Chapter 200 No Man Touches What's Mine

A franchise fee of 200 grand per store. Ten stores? That's two million dollars.

The thought alone made Alaina practically giddy.

Helen, on the other hand, couldn't hide the yourself. Caroline built that reputation. Even if the place expands, it's still her name, her success. And let's

twist of jealousy in her chest. "You're getting ahead of be real, she's too selfish to split profits. You won't see a single dime."

Alaina shook her head, smiling as if Helen had missed something obvious. "No, you've got it all wrong. People come for her cooking, right? That means she stays buried in the kitchen. The busier the place gets, the more chained she becomes to that stove. At the end of the day, she's just a chef. She won't have time to run the business."

Her idea of expanding the restaurant and having the whole family involved had actually been a way to help Caroline. Without support, she'd drown in work, and no one to handle anything else. Eventually, the restaurant would crumble under the weight of her pride.

Sure, she could hire staff, but with how tight Caroline was about money, that wasn't likely.

Helen's lips curled into a slow grin. "Exactly. If everyone loves her food, then she should be the one making every single dish.”

A few minutes ago, she'd been stewing over Caroline's talent in the kitchen, wondering why everyone loved her food so much, when she and Caroline were supposed to be equals.

But now? She saw things differently. She wanted the place to expand. The bigger the crowd, the harder Caroline would fall.

"Mom, you're right. We shouldn't waste her talent. She deserves a bigger kitchen." Helen paused, brows pinching. "But what if she refuses to expand?"

"That's why I came to you." Seeing Helen's puzzled look, Alaina leaned closer, voice dropping. "Linden has money, and more importantly, he knows people. Ask him to find someone from the rougher end of town to stir up trouble. Make a scene. Shut her down fast. If she loses her income, she can't open another place. And when she's broke, she'll remember I offered to help.”

Helen blinked, processing. "Wait... you really think that'll work?"

Alaina patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. It will. And when it does, this family's going to be richer than ever."

Helen hesitated, then slowly nodded. "Alright. I'll bring it up to Linden when he gets home."

After that, Alaina gave her the name and address of Caroline's restaurant.

The two chatted briefly about other family matters before Alaina stood to leave. She had plans to meet Ruth for some shopping.

At the door, she turned and added one last thing. "When you talk to Linden, just tell him Caroline turned us down. Say she refused our help, left us no choice. Make it sound like this is for her own good."

Helen knew what that really meant.

Alaina didn't want Linden to think badly of her.

Chapter 200 No Man Touches What's Mine

And she had a point. But Helen wasn't about to tell Linden the truth, that the restaurant was Caroline in the first place.noveldrama

He already knew, thanks to Teresa, th

was the girl he'd once been engaged to as a child.

Sure, he said he didn't care anymore. But who knew what was really going on in his head?

No way Helen was letting him get involved with Caroline in any way.

And a man as busy as Linden? He would

bother looking into whose restaurant got trashed.

That evening, when Linden finally came home, Helen was sprawled on the couch, sobbing like her heart had shattered.

He rubbed his temples and walked over. "What this time?"

how? Who upset you

The moment he spoke, Helen flung herself into his arms, sobbing harder. "Linden, someone harassed me!"

Her voice cracked, tears streaming like she'd been traumatized.

Linden frowned. "Who was it? That guy from before? The one who tried to bother you at home last time?" Helen shook her head, dabbing at her eyes. "I don't know... I don't think so...

"Then who? Why would someone come after you like that?"

She hesitated, eyes flicking sideways as she crafted her answer. "Some creepy old man who owns a restaurant. He saw that I was pretty and started hitting on me. Said he made a lot of money and wanted me to be with him. I told him I had a boyfriend, but he said I should dump you."

Linden's frown deepened, his jaw tightening. "Where's that old bastard's restaurant?"

The idea of another man harassing his woman again was beyond insulting. Whoever this bastard was, he'd picked the wrong target. Linden wasn't about to let it slide.

Helen caught the fire in his voice and allowed herself the smallest, hidden smirk. Then she cooed sweetly, "Don't go after him. If anyone sees you, it could ruin your reputation."

Linden paused. She wasn't wrong. His status was too high, he was constantly in the public eye in Kingville.

If anyone saw him confronting some random old man, it would be all over the gossip circles. Who knew how far people would twist the story?