CHAPTER EIGHTY THREE - The Enemy Strikes from the Shadows

As Marco stomped towards the exit, leaving a trail of whipped cream in his wake, Ella and Lucas exchanged a look of mingled disbelief and despair. This was a new low, even for the chaos they'd been experiencing. Just as Marco reached the door, he slipped on a dollop of cream, his arms pinwheeling comically as he fought to keep his balance. For a moment, he teetered on the edge of falling, before regaining his footing with as much dignity as a cream-covered man could muster. The absurdity of the situation seemed to break through the tension. A giggle erupted from one of the line cooks, quickly spreading until the entire kitchen was filled with laughter. Even Ella and Lucas found themselves chuckling, the stress of the past weeks momentarily forgotten. As the laughter died down, Marco turned back to face them, his expression a mixture of embarrassment and lingering frustration. "I... I may have overreacted," he admitted sheepishly. Lucas stepped forward, clapping a hand on Marco's sh