They Fired the Pregnant Chef, Then Chaos Hit the Hotel Chapter 02

They Fired the Pregnant Chef, Then Chaos Hit the Hotel Chapter 02

Early the next morning, the official email transferring me to Back-of-House Procurement was copied to every department in the hotel.

At the morning meeting, the kitchen manager slapped the stainless-steel counter hard enough to make it ring.

“Some people damaged the reputation of the entire banquet kitchen for selfish reasons. And now? You all saw what happened.”

“Don’t take this as an example to follow. Don’t think senior employees get special treatment. In this hotel, everyone is equal.”

The young line cooks and prep staff barely dared to breathe. They only stole quick glances at my still-flat belly.

I ignored all of it and quietly packed my things.

When I carried my belongings out, not one person stepped forward to help.

Even though I had covered countless late banquet shifts for them.

Even though I had taught them, step by step, how to prep, plate, control heat, and handle guest allergy notes.

Only the kitchen manager looked up at me.

“Olivia, you’ll regret this,” she said. “And by then, it will be too late.”

I wanted to tell her I would not.

The ones who would truly regret it were standing right in front of me.

When I placed my boxes on the cart, Sophia swept into the banquet kitchen again.

Apparently, her schedule really had been reduced. Otherwise, she would not have had this much free time.

Sophia carried a huge bag of powder-blue candy boxes and handed them out one by one to the younger women in the kitchen.

“It’s a family tradition,” she said. “When you first get pregnant, you bring candy for your coworkers so the baby can share some good luck.”

The kitchen immediately came alive.

“Chef Sophia, don’t worry. Your baby will be born safe and healthy.”

“Of course. You’re beautiful and great with desserts. Your baby will take after you and be sweet and pretty.”

The kitchen manager’s voice was the loudest.

“If you ask me, some babies know exactly where to land.”

“A child born to Chef Sophia will have a life of comfort. Born to someone else? Who knows.”

My grip tightened around the cart handle. I pressed my lips together and said nothing.

Sophia came over with a bright smile and pressed the last few candies into my hand.

“Olivia, I heard about your situation too. Here. Take some good luck from my pregnancy candy.”

“I hope things go better for you next time.”

“There won’t be a next time.”

I lifted my eyes to hers.

“I’ve already applied to transfer to Back-of-House Procurement.”

“I’m keeping this baby.”

“Sophia, your uncle reduced your shifts for you. Since you’ve barely been on the line, of course you hadn’t heard the news.”

Sophia froze. Color rushed into her face, then drained away.

Clearly, she had not expected me to say that relationship out loud in front of everyone.

I did not look at her again. I pulled the cart and walked out.

But just as I took one step, the kitchen manager’s furious voice rang out behind me.

“Olivia! Wait.”

“Did you take something that doesn’t belong to you? Put it down.”