CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN - A Dangerous Game of Cat and Mouse

But their efforts didn't go unchallenged. Vincent, true to form, employed every underhanded tactic he could think of to undermine their preparations. Suppliers mysteriously ran out of key ingredients just as Lucas and Ella placed their orders. Rumors circulated about health code violations at Montgomery's, forcing them to deal with yet another round of inspections. One morning, they arrived at the restaurant to find their power had been cut off, spoiling a week's worth of prep work. As they scrambled to salvage what they could, Lucas felt his resolve wavering. "Maybe this was a mistake," he said, tossing another batch of ruined produce into the compost. "We're in over our heads, Ella. Vincent has too many resources, too many connections." Ella paused in her frantic cleaning, fixing Lucas with a determined gaze. "No, Lucas. This is exactly why we have to do this. Vincent thinks he can bully and cheat his way to the top. We have to show everyone that there's another way, a better way.