Chapter 0179


    Abby


    My heart hammers in my chest as Anton’s words hang in the air between us. “Everythinges at a


    price,” he said.


    I’m hooked,pletely sold on whatever secret culinary world hees from, but his cryptic statement


    sends shivers down my spine. What could he possibly mean?


    “Alright… what’s the catch?” I finally manage to say, my eyes darting between Anton’s piercing gaze,


    John’s excited smirk, and Karl’s visibly confused expression.


    Anton’s eyes search mine for a long moment. Finally, he sighs and starts to speak.


    “I lost everything once, Abby. My career, my family, all because of a decision that sent my life spiraling


    out of control.”


    “What was it?” Karl butts in, causing me to shoot him a warning re. He shrugs, making a face.


    “What? Don’t we have the right to know?”


    I’m about to open my mouth to respond, but before I can, Anton nods and speaks. “He is right. I’ll say it


    inly: I made a series of bad investments. I stupidly gave away my family’s savings, my daughter’s


    college fund, to a bunch of losers iming to be looking for investors for their new restaurants. I ruined


    everything.”


    After Anton speaks, there’s a palpable silence that settles over the room. I don’t know what to say, but


    it seems as though I don’t have to, because Anton takes a deep breath and continues.


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    “I don’t expect you to understand, but to teach you, to be part of this kitchen—even temporarily—


    means a lot to me. It’s not just about the food; it''s about regaining something I lost, something


    immeasurable. I want a chance to piece my life back together, to win back my family.”


    My gaze instinctively slides over to Karl, and for a moment, I can see something behind his eyes.


    Recognition, maybe. Perhaps there’s a bit of kindredness between the two men; Karl, just like Anton, is


    trying to win something back.


    John clears his throat, clearly ufortable but equally moved by Anton’s candidness. “Look, Anton,


    that’s apelling story, but running a kitchen is a business. We can’t just bring someone in based on


    a touching tale. And no offense, but we have no proof of who you say you are. Sure, that dish was


    incredible, but—”


    “I know. I know it’s a risk,” Anton interjects, cutting him off, his voice tinged with desperation but also a


    strange kind of confidence. “That''s why I''m willing to show you. Give me a chance. Let me prove myself


    in this kitchen, and if I’m as good as I im to be, then consider keeping me on board.”


    I feel everyone''s eyes on me. Karl’s got that look in his eyes, the skeptical but cautiously hopeful one


    that I’ve grown all too used to. John’s face is unreadable. I know the decision rests with me. After all,


    it’s my kitchen, my restaurant, and my ce in the cook-off that’s at stake.


    As soon as the words leave my mouth, I see Karl’s face shift through an entire host of expressions.


    Shock. Disbelief. And finally, a kind of reserved skepticism.


    “Abby, can we talk?” he blurts out.  Dr?мanоvels