Chapter Eighty Eight - Complications Arise

Amelia Hartwell stood behind the counter, wiping down the gleaming surfaces and inhaling the lingering scent of freshly baked pastries. The day had been bustling with customers, and now, in the quiet aftermath, she felt a sense of contentment wash over her. As she moved to close out the register, her phone buzzed insistently in her pocket. Frowning slightly, she pulled it out and saw a notification from her banking app. Her eyes widened as she read the message. "What on earth?" she muttered, tapping the screen to open the app fully. There, in stark black and white, was a transaction she couldn't explain: a deposit of $500,000 into her account. Amelia's heart began to race as she stared at the numbers, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. Just then, the bell above the door chimed, and Alessandro De Laurentis strode in, his tailored suit a stark contrast to the homey atmosphere of the bakery. "Amelia, darling, are you ready to—" He stopped short, noticing the shocked expression