" Lessie , you really think this could work ? " " Yeah , Mom's got great skills in the kitchen . Setting up a food stall shouldn't be a problem at all ." Karen set down her fork , a flicker of uncertainty passing over her face . " I mean , cooking at home is one thing , but selling food out there ? I'd probably lose money . Besides , these are just regular family recipes - who'd actually buy them ? " " I think it's worth a shot , " Alessia replied . " If nothing else , you know how picky Zach is , right ? But ever since you started cooking , he's always the one who eats the most . " " That was then , this is now … " Despite her hesitation , it was clear Karen was wavering just a little . Alessia saw her chance and pressed on . " Even if we don't make much at first , there's no harm in trying . We can start simple , keep the costs low . " Alessia hadn't spent the last seventeen years as some spoiled , idle rich girl . She had both time and resources - and with the sharp business minds of the Tate family's eldest and Cole around , she'd picked up a thing or two herself . She already . had a whole plan mapped out in her mind the moment the idea of a food stall came up . " Actually , with school starting soon , we could set up by the main gate and sell sandwiches or maybe some easy - to - carry wraps . If your home cooking really takes off , we could even look for construction sites nearby and talk to the foremen about delivering lunchboxes to the workers . " " Alright , then I'll spend the next couple of days practicing and give it a try . Once school starts , I'll set up the stall . " Karen was never one to hesitate once her mind was made up . Since moving here , Karen had been in low spirits , and with the youngest needing extra attention , the family had agreed she should stay home while the others took care of the finances . Still , Karen couldn't shake the feeling that she was holding everyone back , so she threw herself into housework . The second she paused , guilt would sweep over her . Brendan had noticed the strain on Karen ; it was only a matter of time before it took 1/2 15:36 apter 2 a toll . Alessia's suggestion was the perfect solution . " But what about your health ? " " I'll be fine . Sandwiches and wraps aren't hard to make , nothing I can't handle ," Karen said , her voice firm and even tinged with hope for the future . Brendan pressed his lips together , deep in thought . Seeing this , Alessia decided it was time to lay her real intentions on the table . " Just to be safe , Dad , why don't you go with Mom ? That way , you can split the work , and she'll have someone to chat with when it's not busy . " " But … " Brendan started to protest , worrying about leaving the house shorthanded . " I actually think Lessie's got a point , " Karen cut in , her cheeks looking a little rosier . " It'll be easier together . And if we don't make much , you can always look for another job - no need to rush . " " Exactly . We'll know how it goes after a week or so . Food stalls have been all the rage lately . It can't hurt to give it a try . " Karen and Alessia took turns persuading Brendan . " Alright , let's settle on that for now . We'll talk it over again when Zach and the others get home tonight . Oh, Lessie , which school are you attending ? I nearly forgot to transfer your tuition . " " I'm at the International Language Academy , but you don't need to worry about tuition . I got a full scholarship for being top of my year . " Alessia couldn't hide her pride . Brendan and Karen exchanged surprised glances . Alessia , not wanting them to doubt her , pulled out her phone and opened the class group folder . She didn't even bother with the endless stream of messages - she could already guess they were just chatting away . She found the file and handed her phone over . Right at the top : Alessia's name , followed by a string of high grades and , at the bottom , her ranking . Class : 1. Year : 1 . 212 15:36 C