Savory Sins

the tense dinner service, and that kiss with Celeste-played on a loop in his mind. He sat at his

idence. Yet, despite his earlier accusations, he couldn't bring himself to believe Celeste was beh

wasn't her

rom his thoughts. It was a text from

Come to my offic

s wasn't known for his patience, and a mee

d with modern art and minimalist furniture. Hayes sat behind a glass d

m. "Last night's event was... adequate. B

were unforeseen challenges, b

aning back in his chair. "Like sabotaged ga

realize you were keeping suc

ut I didn't bring you here to discuss last night's failures. I brought

aback. "You think you'

ssages claiming you're unfit for this job

ous. I've worked too hard to build my name for

a high-stakes business. If your reputation falters, so doe

aying a dangerous game, and now Hay

ised, his voice steady. "And I'll

determination hardened. He needed

les for the next event. The dim, intimate lighting cast shadows a

id, stepping int

sion wary. "Adrian. To wha

he admitted, surpr

ed in surprise. "

t who's sabo

s holding back on the shelf.

Hayes is too. Someone's

a moment before nodding.

oking at the staff. Someone in the kitche

one of your loyal disciple

im. "And if it's not them, we look outside

ste said, leaning ag

oser. "But I trust you. And I nee

unspoken tension. Celeste's gaze softened, and for a

quietly. "But if we're doi

," Adri

e playing on her lips. "Now,

e of discussing last night's event. As the staff gathered in the dini

o the menu and improving efficiency. But when Adrian casually bro

r got into the ganache?" he asked,

uneasy glances, bu

n, her voice calm but firm. "Did anyone n

, sil

ither they were all innocent, o

an pulled Celeste aside

we gave them credit for," she said. "But they'l

s already racing ahead. This w

office to review security footage from the kitchen. Hours of vid

a shadowy figure appeared in the kitchen. They moved quickly, tamper

g to identify the figure. But their face was obscured, a

s phone and d

ng," he said whe

t is

e broke into the k

line. "Send me the footage," Celeste sai

his was just the beginning. Whoever was behind the sabotage wa