Chapter 9 - The Dish Served Cold
Out in the opulent dining room of Bellini’s Bistro, Mayor Sterling sat at the head table, sipping expensive red wine alongside five wealthy city developers.
The mayor tapped his gold watch impatiently. “Where is Marcus? And why is the food taking so long? We’ve been waiting forty minutes for the main course!”
Suddenly, the kitchen doors swung open.
Instead of Marcus or the waiters, Adrien Moretti walked out into the dining room, followed by four of his men carrying large silver serving trays. Behind them walked Maya, wearing her smudged white chef’s coat, carrying a single covered dish.
Mayor Sterling’s eyes widened in surprise as Adrien approached the VIP table.
“Adrien?” Mayor Sterling stammered, adjusting his silk tie. “What is the meaning of this? Where is Mr. Vance?”
Adrien motioned for his men to set the heavy silver trays down on the table.
“Marcus Vance has just been arrested by the State Fraud Unit,” Adrien announced loudly, his voice carrying across the entire dining room. “For forging property deeds and embezzling funds from this establishment.”
A shockwave of gasps rippled through the dining room guests. Mayor Sterling’s face turned bright red as he gripped his wine glass nervously.
“Arrested? That’s... that’s absurd!” Mayor Sterling sputtered. “I approved those property deeds myself!”
May you like
Maya stepped forward, placing her covered dish right in front of the mayor.
👉 “I know you did, Mr. Mayor,” Maya said coldly. “Which is why this dish was prepared specifically for you.”
