Chapter 386: Rose Shares Her Good News

"Manager Jackson, you're back!" Mr. Carter greeted with a beaming smile, carrying two baskets of fresh vegetables. He had been supplying the restaurant for years and knew the value of good service.

Rose wiped the sweat from her brow and took the baskets with a grateful nod. "Thank you, Mr. Carter. Don’t worry about the payment—we’ll go over the invoices in the next couple of days, and I’ll settle everything right away." She had always been prompt with payments, never keeping suppliers waiting.

Mr. Carter chuckled, shaking his head. "Ah, doing business with you is always a pleasure! Other restaurants drag payments for months, and when you finally ask for the money, they act like you’re robbing them..." His tone carried years of frustration.

"Stick to the agreement—you deliver on time, I pay on time. Simple as that." Rose handed the baskets to a kitchen assistant before turning back to him with a smile.

Mr. Carter sighed inwardly. No wonder the Jackson family restaurant thrived. The owner was fair, efficient, and kind—qualities that kept customers and suppliers loyal.

Nolan stepped out from the kitchen and spotted his wife by the entrance. He hurried over. "Rose, why are you standing out here in this heat? You should rest inside."

She shot him a playful glare. "I’m not made of glass. A little sun won’t hurt me."

Nolan scratched his head and grinned sheepishly. Lately, he’d noticed something off about her—she was always tired, and her cravings had become unpredictable. Just last night, she’d woken him up demanding spicy noodles, sending him scrambling through the streets at midnight.

"Are you feeling unwell? Maybe you should—"

"Fool!" Rose’s cheeks flushed as she lowered her voice. "I’m pregnant!"

Nolan froze, blinking. Then realization hit, and his face lit up like the sun. "Really? I’m going to be a father?"

Rose quickly covered his mouth. "Keep it down! You know how strict the birth-quota rules are..."

Overcome with joy, Nolan circled her twice before slapping his forehead. "I’ll go buy a chicken to make soup for you!"

"Not now!" She caught his arm, her eyes shining. "We have a restaurant to run. We’ll talk tonight."

Nolan nodded eagerly, though his grin refused to fade. At forty, he’d long given up hope of having a child of his own—until now.

"Boss, customers!" A server’s voice snapped him back to reality.

Taking a deep breath, Nolan forced himself to focus. But the happiness in his eyes was impossible to hide. He squeezed Rose’s hand and whispered, "I’ll make you soup tonight."

She smiled, nudging him away. "Go greet our guests, you big oaf."

Sunlight streamed through the windows, wrapping them in warmth. Behind the counter, Rose absently touched her stomach, her expression softening.