CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY ONE - A Dangerous Encounter

Ella sat in her office at Sweet Beginnings, the gentle hum of the restaurant's activity filtering through the door. She leaned back in her chair, absently twirling a pen between her fingers as she reviewed the evening's reservations. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. "Come in," she called out, setting the pen down. Rebecca, one of the newer waitresses, poked her head in. "Hey, Ella. We're getting pretty busy out there. Mind giving us a hand?" Ella smiled and stood up. "Of course. Let's see what we can do." As they stepped out into the main dining area, the buzz of conversation and laughter washed over them. The warm glow of the chandeliers cast a cozy ambiance over the tables, where patrons sat enjoying their meals and company. Ella surveyed the room, her practiced eye taking in every detail. "Looks like table seven needs clearing. Can you handle that, Rebecca? I'll check on the party in the corner." Rebecca nodded and hurried off. Ella made her way through the restaurant, p