Chapter 2 - The Tears of the Executive Chef

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“Do as she says, Chef.”
Arthur stared at Vincent, his throat clicking as he tried to swallow. “Mr. Hale—”
“Touch the sauce.”
“I can remake the dish.”
“That wasn’t what I said.”
Arthur’s eyes darted frantically toward the exit, sweat beading heavily along his hairline. Vincent looked at the untouched smear of dark demi-glace and then at Molly’s blistered wrist.
His voice became quiet. “What happens if he touches it?”
Molly answered without taking her eyes off Arthur. “It’s a high-potency neurotoxic transdermal alkaloid. If he has an open cut or consumes even a milligram, his heart stops within three minutes.”
Arthur began shaking violently. Grant noticed. So did Vincent.
Vincent stood to his full height. The sheer, crushing gravity of his presence made the tall chef look tiny.
“Who paid you, Arthur?” Vincent asked, his tone dropping below freezing.
“No one.”
“Then taste the sauce.”
Arthur shut his eyes tightly, tears finally breaking past his lashes.
“Please.”
One word. Barely audible. But in the dead silence of the dining room, it landed louder than Molly slamming his hand against the table.
Vincent’s expression shifted. Not into explosive rage, but into the absolute, calculating coldness of a man who had survived a dozen wars.
“Grant.”
Grant stepped behind Arthur, twisting the chef’s arms behind his back. “Take him downstairs.”
“No!” Arthur jerked in panic, twisting his head toward Molly. “You stupid woman! You have no idea what you just did!”
Molly released his wrist and backed away, clutching her throbbing arm against her apron. Arthur made a desperate lunge toward the ceramic plate, hoping to smash the evidence on the floor.
Grant caught him by the collar, throwing him backward against the plush leather banquette.
“Get the plate away from him!” Molly called out.
Vincent lifted the heavy porcelain plate by its untouched underside and handed it to a secondary guard.
Arthur’s composure completely shattered. He collapsed onto his knees on the carpet, sobbing uncontrollably.
“They’ll kill him!” Arthur screamed, clutching his face with his hands.
Vincent stopped in his tracks, turning back slowly.
“Kill who?”
Arthur looked up, his eyes bloodshot, looking as though he had swallowed broken glass.
“My son... Toby. He’s only seven years old.”
The entire room seemed to shrink around him.
Vincent studied the weeping chef for five long, agonizing seconds. Then he turned to the dining room manager who was hovering near the maître d' stand.
“Clear the restaurant,” Vincent commanded.
The manager rushed forward, stammering. “Mr. Hale, perhaps we should call the police or—”
“Everyone leaves,” Vincent cut in, his voice brooking zero dissent. “Guests. Waitstaff. Kitchen crew. Now.”
Within three minutes, thirty of Chicago's wealthiest patrons were being quietly escorted out the revolving front doors into the rain by armed security guards.
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Molly remained standing beside the ruined table. Not because she wanted to be there, but because her knees were shaking so hard she wasn't sure they would support her weight if she took another step.
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