#Chapter 77: Mounting Frustrations

Abby The day starts just as any normal day should: with the aroma of simmering tomato sauce and sizzling bacon filling the restaurant, and the sound of happy breakfast customers wafting through the air. But as I settle into the rhythm of another busy workday, something feels off. I can’t quite explain it, but it almost feels as though something is electric in the air. That’s when it happens. I haven’t even taken my first sip of coffee of the day when Ethan is suddenly rushing into my office faster than I thought he could even move with his leg, and there’s a look of dread on his face. Before I can even open my mouth to speak, his words are tumbling out in a torrent of emotion. “Abby, we’ve got a problem. Amelia West from ‘Gourmet Gazette’ is here, and she doesn’t look happy.” My heart sinks at the mention of the infamous food critic. “Why?” I ask, bolting up from my chair. “What happened?” Ethan shrugs, throwing his hands up in the ai