Booby Trap 3

Charles looked at William, who was opening his laptop and reading the financial details of D'Amelie's restaurant. William's face looked solemn when he saw Esmee's reports for her restaurant.

"Is there anything interesting?" asked Charles.

William ignored Charles' question and continued to look at D'Amelie's restaurant books. Charles finally could only let out a long sigh and sat on the sofa while turning on the television.

"Don't tell me you're thinking of saving the restaurant after seeing the beautiful owner," Charles quipped.

Without taking his eyes off the laptop screen, William tossed the nearby pen at Charles. "Watch your words."

Charles chuckled at William's words. "So, what made you interested in looking at the restaurant's reports?"

William leaned against the back of the chair, crossing his arms. "This girl is quite smart. But sadly, she is not good at managing her restaurant. Especially the employee problem. Some of her former employees left and left her in debt."

"Then what do you want to do?" asked Charles.

"Maybe I can teach her a little about running a good business," William replied.

Charles looked directly at William with a look of half disbelief. "Do you want to teach her to run a business? Did you forget your goal for that place?"

William turned his attention toward Charles. He cracked a half smile. "I haven't finished my sentence yet."

"What else are you planning?" Charles again asked William.

"We can't carry out plans like today continuously. We must change our strategy to destroy the restaurant," William replied.

"Do what you had planned before we left here. It will save time instead of making new plans," said Charles.

"The more customers who come, the more will protest if the restaurant does not provide good service. If only one person opposes like today, they can immediately shut their mouths by offering discounted prices. It was a different story if more customers opposed, "explained William.

Charles finally understood what William was planning. "What should I do?"

"Tomorrow you come to the restaurant. Take some photos inside the restaurant and leave a good review for the restaurant on travel websites," said William.

Charles nodded his head. "That's so easy."

"Remember, pay some people to share the same review as you. We gave the restaurant a few breaths before they finally destroyed it and sold the place voluntarily. Understand?"

"I see," replied Charles.

"Good," said William. He then closed his laptop and stretched his body. After that, William stood up from his seat.

William then went back to talking to Charles. "Is everything okay in Manhattan?"

Charles nodded his head. "Elaine is doing well so far."

"Good then." William once again stretched his body. He then walked to his room while Charles was still in the living room, calling someone.

----

The following day, it was still a little foggy when William came out of his temporary residence in the village of Riquewihr. William purposely went out earlier so he could run into Esmee, who had just returned from shopping for a restaurant.

William pulled up his jacket and walked with his arms crossed while he walked to the restaurant. Along the way, he noticed some of the Riquewihr natives who had already started the morning. They greeted William, who passed in front of them with a friendly smile and nodded his head. The villagers made William couldn't help but smile and nod his head.

"Looks like you're in a good mood."

William turned his head when he heard the voice of a woman speaking next to him. "Since when are you next to me?"

Esmee looked at William with a big smile. "Just."

"Let me bring it." William chuckled. He noticed Esmee's groceries.

"No need. It's not too heavy. I'm just shopping for some groceries," said Esmee.

"Your face looks swollen," William said.

"Don't say that directly in front of women. You can make her lock himself in her room all day," Esmee said with a light laugh.

"You mean you're going to shut yourself up after I tell you that your face is swollen?" William asked.

Esmee stared at William for a moment, then turned her attention again to the road in front of her. "How can I lock myself up when I work all day at the restaurant? Just let my face swell. After all, no one will pay too much attention to me."

William and Esmee suddenly fell silent. They walked hand in hand but didn't say a word. Esmee kept walking without paying attention to her surroundings. She didn't realize there was a cyclist who had lost his balance.

The Cyclist almost hit Esmee, but William had already pulled Esmee into his arms, so the Cyclist didn't hit Esmee.

"Why don't you watch your step?" William exclaimed after he managed to save Esmee from the Cyclist who almost hit him.

Esmee was silent and looked nervous. She was shocked when William pulled her. Esmee didn't notice a cyclist nearly hit her.

"I'm sorry," said Esmee.

William noticed Esmee's expression, which still looked very surprised. He grabbed Esmee's shoulders and looked at her. "Hey, calm down. Nothing happens. Are you okay?"

Esmee tilted her head slightly and looked into William's eyes. Esmee quickly wiped the tears that were almost pouring down her face. She lowered his head and turned around. Then she continued on her way.

William followed Esmee. He grabbed the shopping bag Esmee had brought and took it straight away. "Let me carry it. You don't seem well."

Esmee was silent. She doesn't know what she thinks until she doesn't see the Cyclist. Luckily William swiftly pulled her. If William didn't pull her, she might get hurt.

"Thank you very much, William," Esmee said.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

Esmee shook her head. "You saved me."

"Are you okay? You seemed quite surprised earlier."

Esmee was silent for a moment before responding to William's words. But then she turned to William and smiled while nodding her head. "I'm fine."

"Really?"

Esmee nodded her head. "I'm fine now."

"Very well then," said William.

"How about I treat you to breakfast?" asked Esmee.

"Instead of treating me to breakfast, how about you make it yourself? I'm curious about D'Amelie's cooking," William said.

Esmee thought about William's request for a moment. "Okay. That doesn't sound like a bad idea."

William laughed to see Esmee, who seemed to be cheerful again. The two then resumed their walk towards D'Amelie's restaurant. But this time, Esmee was busy talking to William by throwing jokes that made William's brow furrow.

****

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