Chapter 0212


    “I’m just so tired of it, Karl,” I murmur into his chest, a sob quaking my body.


    Karl holds me for a few long moments, his hand rubbing my back as I sob into his chest. But when the


    sobs finally subside, and I slowly lift my head to look up at him, his gaze is fixed sternly on the wall


    behind us.


    “I’ll handle this,” he says, his eyes narrowed and jaw set in a way that sends a jolt of worry through me.


    “No, Karl, don’t—” But it’s toote. Extricating himself from me, he tugs his mask back over his face.


    Then he’s out the door, the bouquet of flowers still lying forgotten on the floor.


    My heart pounds in my chest as I race after him, my feet barely touching the carpet. I round the corner


    to see him already confronting Daniel, who’s standing near the food table in the main room where the


    other contestants, their friends and families, and various staff are milling about.


    There’s a stic smile frozen on his face, but it fades as Karl storms up to her.


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    “What gives you the right to badmouth Abby?” Karl’s voice cuts through the air like a knife, and


    everyone, contestants and crew alike, turns to look.


    “Excuse me? And who might you be?” Daniel sneers, taking in Karl’s surgical mask and casual clothes.


    “This isn’t about who I am; this is about you and how you treat others,” Karl says, his voiceced with


    disapproval.


    Danielughs, a hollow sound that does nothing to hide the edge in his voice. “I think everyone would


    like to know who''s hiding behind the mask before we can take him seriously.”


    Karl takes a step forward, undeterred. “Seriously? Maybe you should be taking your rivals more


    seriously. Abby is a brilliant chef, and what are you? A high school bully?”


    Daniel rolls his eyes, but there’s a flicker of uncertainty there. “Well, if she’s so brilliant, why isn’t she


    defending herself?” he asks, his gaze sliding coolly over to me. “Why does she need a man toe to


    her rescue?”


    “Abby doesn’t need me to defend her,” Karl counters, “but when someone as unprofessional and rude


    as you starts slinging mud, it bes everyone’s problem. Even during your interview, your self-


    absorption shined through like a spotlight. You’re a narcissist.”


    A hush falls over the room, so heavy it’s almost palpable. I can feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on


    me, and my cheeks flush in humiliation. Then, just as I think I might drown in the deafening silence,


    another voice speaks up.


    “Actually, I’m with Abby and the mystery man,” Vanessa suddenly says, rising from her chair. Her voice


    is calm but firm, like the eye of a storm. “As contestants, I expect all of you to treat each other with


    respect. Understood?”


    The room remains silent, everyone now turning their eyes toward Vanessa, who has somehow be


    the new focal point of the room. She walks over to where Karl and Daniel are standing, effectively


    cing herself between them, as though forming a barrier.


    “And frankly,” she says, staring pointedly at Daniel, “you’re lucky I don’t give you a formal warning for


    gossipy behavior.”


    For a moment, nobody says anything. It’s as if Vanessa’s words have sucked all the air out of the room.


    Finally, Daniel tilts his chin up defiantly, his eyes meeting mine for a fleeting second before turning


    away.


    “Hmph,” he mutters, his shoes clicking against the floor as he stalks away, his exit as dramatic as


    everything else about him.


    Finally, with Daniel gone, the focus shifts again. Now it’s on me, standing in the doorway, with my tear-


    streaked makeup and a stray flower petal stuck to the side of my shoe.


    And I have no idea what to say.