Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

Chapter 0179

Abby

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

price,” he said.

I’m hooked, completely sold on whatever secret culinary world he comes 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 glare. 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

plainly: 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 claiming 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.

“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 uncomfortable but equally moved by Anton’s candidness. “Look, Anton,

that’s a compelling 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 Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

in this kitchen, and if I’m as good as I claim 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 place 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. Drąмanоvels.com