CHAPTER EIGHTY ONE - The Path to Redemption Begins

"Or maybe she's involved in what's happening at the restaurant," Ella countered. "We can't ignore the possibility just because we like her." "Let's not jump to conclusions," Lucas cautioned. "I'm making progress with the Jason angle. A couple of former servers mentioned he's been badmouthing us around town." Ella set down her knife, frustration evident. "Badmouthing isn't the same as sabotage, Lucas. We need to look at all possibilities." "And we will," Lucas assured her, moving to wrap his arms around her waist. "But let's focus on one thing at a time, okay? We don't want to start suspecting everyone around us." Ella leaned into him, sighing. "I know. I just... I hate feeling like we can't trust anyone." As the days passed, the tension between Ella and Lucas grew. Lucas threw himself into investigating Jason and other former employees, convinced he was on the right track. Ella, meanwhile, couldn't shake her suspicions about Rachel. One afternoon, Ella overheard Rachel on the pho