I Was Burned on Stage, and He Worried About Her

I was competing in the celebrity-chef contest when the accident hit. Hot oil my apprentice had prepared scalded my arm.

Owen Lockwood came charging up onto the stage, all fury, and without thinking I spoke up for my little apprentice.

"Don't be angry. Lauren didn't mean it."

"It's her first big competition. She's probably just nervous."

But the next second, he shoved me aside and shouted at me.

"What kind of mentor are you? Letting Lauren handle hot oil? What if that oil had splashed onto her face?"

"I think you're just jealous that she's prettier than you."