CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - Shattered Trust

The morning of the event dawned bright and clear, as if the weather itself was offering them a good omen. Ella arrived at the restaurant early, her stomach a knot of nerves and excitement. As she walked through the door, she was greeted by the sight of Lucas, already hard at work in the kitchen. He looked up as she entered, a smile breaking across his face. "Good morning, beautiful," he said, crossing the kitchen to plant a kiss on her cheek. "Ready for the big day?" Ella took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, managing a smile of her own. "Let's do this." As the staff began to arrive, Ella and Lucas briefed them on the evening's plans. To their relief, the team seemed to have rallied behind them, everyone eager to make the night a success. "Alright, everyone," Lucas said, addressing the assembled staff. "Tonight is more than just a dinner service. It's our chance to remind this town why they fell in love with Montgomery's in the first p