Chapter One Hundred - Recovery and Reflection

Lily approached, wiping flour from her hands onto her apron. "Hey, boss. There's someone here to see you. Says he's a food critic." Amelia's heart skipped a beat. A food critic? Now? With the bakery in such a precarious state? She took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Thanks, Lily. Can you take over here? I'll go see what he wants." As Amelia made her way to the front of the bakery, she saw a man in his mid-fifties, smartly dressed with a notebook in hand, examining the display case with keen interest. She recognized him immediately – Marcus Holloway, one of the most respected food critics in the region. "Mr. Holloway," Amelia greeted him, extending a hand. "Welcome to Our Sweet Dreams. I'm Amelia Hartwell." Marcus shook her hand firmly, a warm smile on his face. "Ms. Hartwell, it's a pleasure. I've been hearing quite a buzz about your bakery lately and thought it was high time I paid a visit." Amelia's mind raced. A buzz? About her bakery? She hadn't realized their efforts had b