Chapter 69: Carter is Right

Once everything settled down, Carter found himself quite busy.

Entering his sophomore year, he had more courses to attend. With the construction team on-site, the development of the highway commercial district began. Besides school and the bank, Carter also needed to visit the construction site occasionally.

In the southern United States in October, though the sun still shone brightly, the temperature had dropped significantly. Especially in coastal Georgia, making the weather even more pleasant.

Today, as usual, Carter drove to the construction site, enjoying the cool autumn breeze.

"Mr. Patel, can we start building the shops now?"

"Yes, Mr. Blake. As you can see, we've already started preparing. Once the foundation is solid, we can start erecting the building. Shall we make it two stories? Building just one might be a waste of space. With two stories, people can live upstairs. If someone doesn't want to go back to town at night, the employees can stay here overnight."

Patel, the head of the construction team, welcomed Carter the moment he saw him, eager to show him what they were working on. He made it clear that they hadn't slacked off while Carter was away.

"No, one story is enough. It's not far from town, and if there are many people in the future, we can simply buy a bus to serve as a shuttle. We don't need to provide accommodation space."

Carter disregarded Patel's persuasion; he knew adding another floor meant spending more money. After putting on a hard hat and taking a quick tour of the site and exchanging a few words with the two future employees stationed there for the KFC, Carter hurriedly left.

For Carter, who wasn't from an engineering background, visiting the construction site held more symbolic meaning than practical significance. It was enough to let the construction team know that he, as the client, valued their work and would inspect it regularly.

"Jenny, I'm back! Is Anna here with Joey?"

Upon returning home, Carter called out as he changed his shoes.

"It'll be a while before they finish work. Why don't you freshen up first? Melis should be back soon, and dinner is almost ready."

Carter naturally wouldn't hide the fact that he was using the family's money to start a business. Knowing that Carter had something important to discuss with their eldest daughter and her fiancé tonight, Jenny had started preparing dinner early.

"Alright, I'll go upstairs then."

In no time, after Carter freshened up and came downstairs feeling refreshed, the whole family plus Joey had already taken their seats at the dining table.

"Sit down quickly! Spaghetti bolognese, eat it while it's hot! We can talk after dinner."

"Alright!"

Seeing the bowl of spaghetti bolognese that Jenny placed in front of him, Carter suppressed the words he was about to say. But as he ate, Carter suddenly noticed that Joey, who was sitting opposite him, seemed a bit nervous.

Joey barely touched his food, almost picking at it, and sat with his buttocks on the edge of the chair. Leaning slightly forward, he occasionally glanced at Anna.

"Joey, don't you like the food?"

"Oh, no, Mrs. Blake, the food is delicious."

Joey put down his fork and knife, his expression nervous as he waved his hands.

"Don't be so nervous, Joey! My brother isn't as scary as the rumors say!"

Huh?

Now Carter was confused.

Blinking in suspicion, Carter looked at his wife, wondering what she meant. What rumors? Why wasn't he aware of them?

"By the way, Carter, why did you call us here today?"

Anna, seemingly oblivious to Carter's hint, or perhaps seeing Jenny present and deciding not to dwell on the topic, changed the subject and asked about Carter's purpose.

Since starting work, Anna hadn't been seen at the dining table much, even though she hadn't moved out to live with Joey yet. If it weren't for Carter asking Melissa to inform her to come over tonight, they wouldn't have seen Anna tonight.

"The family is opening a restaurant near Highway 23. Have you heard about it? I want you and Joey to work there. The salary will be the same as the supermarket for now. The manager who helps during the opening will only stay for three months. Once you two get used to it, you'll be promoted to manager, and the salary will definitely be higher."

It wasn't that Carter was reluctant to give the restaurant to his eldest daughter; it was just that telling them outright that they were getting the restaurant wasn't a good idea. Instead, he wanted them to start from the basics and feel a bit of competitive pressure, which would make them truly care about the restaurant and learn from it.

Once the KFC headquarters sent a manager, as long as Anna and Joey's abilities weren't far behind those of Anna's two classmates, the manager position would be theirs.

Carter had already discussed this with Jenny, who naturally didn't oppose Carter's idea.

"Go to the restaurant? But we've just gotten used to working at the supermarket. Carter, this is so sudden! Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"I wanted to tell you early, did I see you?"

Carter couldn't help but roll his eyes. He didn't see her often; that was true. He had wanted to tell her about opening the restaurant earlier, but wasn't he driven away by her?

Moreover, the plumbing and wiring had been laid down this month. Jenny must have thought about it when she went to the supermarket to buy groceries. Even if she didn't say it at the supermarket, wouldn't she mention it during their private conversations at night?

He was too slow to react, too careless; how could he blame himself now?

"Alright, alright! It's rare to meet, why do you have to argue as soon as we meet? Anna, Carter's suggestion, discuss it with Joey. I also want you to work at the restaurant. Isn't it more satisfying to work for family than for others? Once that manager leaves, the position will be yours!"

Jenny, who was committed to maintaining family harmony, immediately reached out and pinched Carter's arm. Although the slap was light, Carter knew Jenny meant no harm, but, Mom! Why do you have to blurt out everything?!

"Hey, Carter! Do you look down on us? Why can't we handle running a restaurant? There are so many couples opening restaurants, they can do it, so can we!"

"You? Dream on! I'm opening a fast-food restaurant, do you know what a fast-food restaurant is? It's all about being fast and efficient! Quick service, and the store needs to be clean too! With just the two of you, it's impossible. Do you think you can make and serve a dish to a customer in one minute?"

Joey seemed a bit absent-minded, not answering Carter's question immediately. So Carter called out again:

"Joey?!"

"Huh?"

This time Joey snapped out of it, but his reaction was over the top.

Suddenly jumping up from his seat, Joey's knee carelessly hit the corner of the table as he stood up, visibly wincing from the pain. Yet, he hastily replied:

"No, no! Anna, we can't! Mr. Blake is right!"