#Chapter 110: The Ex-Chef

Abby My heart pounds as the room goes quiet. What on earth is happening right now? We’re all looking at each other—me, Karl, John, and the homeless man. His eyes meet mine, full of a sort of knowing energy that leaves me speechless. Is this a joke? He really has experience cooking with black truffles, some of the rarest and most expensive in the world? “You look confused, so I’ll explain,” he says, smiling through his beard. “I was once a chef in France and Italy. Emphasis on was. But I’ve still got my skills.” Karl scoffs, breaking the silence. “You’ve got to be kidding me. A chef? You expect us to believe that?” The man just shrugs, a tiny smile on his lips. “Believe what you want. I know how to cook with black truffles, and you, my friends, are missing a crucial ingredient. That’s all I’m saying.” Karl snorts. “Yeah, right. What’s next? Are you a secret millionaire, too?” I shoot Karl a glance. His skepticism is understandable, but there’s someth