#Chapter 79: Mean Spirited
Abby

The lunchtime rush is finally easing up. Much unlike yesterday, it’s been a smooth day so far, and I feel

relieved; but that’s exactly when it happens.

I’m scanning the restaurant floor, making sure everything is running smoothly, when I hear the crash.

It’s a shocking mix of the sound of ceramic shattering, gasps, and the thud of a body hitting the floor,

followed by a loud “Ow!”

My heart lurches into my throat as I rush over to see one of my waitresses, Sarah, sprawled on the

ground amid a mess of broken dishes and spilled food.

“What happened?” I ask, my eyes darting around the room, locking onto a group of snickering

teenagers at a nearby table.

“I saw it,” Karl says, striding past me. “Those little s hits tripped her. Deliberately.”

In seconds, he’s at their table, his face dark with anger. “You think that was funny? Get up.”

“It was an accident!” one of the kids says, feigning innocence. But it’s clear that he’s full of sh it. They all

are.

I kneel beside Sarah, who’s clutching her wrist, her face pale. “Are you okay?” I ask.

“I think so,” she mumbles, grimacing as she attempts to move. I call over two other employees to clean

the mess and guide Sarah to a chair.

Karl reappears, dragging the shame-faced teenagers behind him. “Apologize,” he commands, his voice

icy. They mumble sca ttered apologies, looking anywhere but at Sarah or me.

“Sorry isn’t enough,” Karl continues. “You’re washing dishes for the rest of the night. And if I see any of

you around here again causing trouble, you’re going to wish you never set foot in this place.”

“Karl, you can’t—” I begin, but my voice trails off with a look from Karl. A look I know all too well, one

that embodies his spirit of an Alpha.

I watch the teenagers slink off to the kitchen, led by Karl. The room is quiet now; even the low hum of

conversations has died down. But my focus is on Sarah, who is sitting by the bar and wiping tears from

eyes, her

she says as I

your fault.” I give her shoulder a

pick up the slack in the dining area

it’s not long before the front door swings open, and a

tells me all that I need to know: they have that classic “I’d like to

them, and my heart sinks. They must

owner of this establishment?” the woman asks, her eyes scanning me up

I’m worthy of

bracing myself

us they’re here, washing dishes? Something about a

his arms over

swallowing the lump in my throat. “They tripped

was damage to

for the outburst, the accusations, perhaps even threats of a lawsuit. But

a tired

says, shaking her head. “We’ve been trying to

in them, but

the man chimes in. “They told us it was a joke,

beyond a

their words. This is not the reaction I was expecting, but it’s a

lifting off my shoulders.

my… cooks, thought it would be a fitting punishment for them

cautiously, gauging their response.

nods, looking toward the kitchen. “In fact, we’d like

employment, if you’d be willing. A week of scrubbing your kitchen and doing

should drive the

sure?” I ask, stunned.

the woman assures me. “It’s about time they learn a good lesson. You can’t

and not expect to deal with the

emerges from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. His eyes meet

I nod subtly, a smile breaking through my

the parents,” I explain. “They agree with your punishment. Actually, they want to

for an

extending a hand to each parent. “I appreciate

He glances at me, winking

gaze to

man says, shaking

parents walk toward the kitchen, presumably to have a serious chat with their d

lean against the bar,

barely touching mine. “Not what you expected,

all,” I say softly, a slight laugh escaping my lips. “But these past couple of days

chock full of surprises.”

his eyes warm and comforting. “Some surprises

truth in his words. Maybe it’s the parents owning up

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