Karl

The second round had left a bitter taste in my mouth. Seeing the way that the

judge, Logan, tore into Abby on live television left me feeling maybe a little too

overprotective, but I couldn’t just stand idly by while Abby had her integrity

ripped apart on stage.

I told Abby I needed to take a call, but it was a complete lie. I needed to talk to

this Logan, understand why he was being so harsh on Abby compared to the

other contestants. And most of all, I needed to make him see the truth: that Abby

was an excellent chef, undeserving of this treatment, and that her spices had

been sabotaged.

Enter title…

The security guard outside the judges’ private room was a mountain of a man,

his face impassive as I approached.

“Hello,” I said, adjusting my blue surgical mask slightly. “I’d like to speak with—”

“I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t go in there,” the security guard replied, his voice a

low rumble. “Policy.”

“But I just need a moment with Judge Logan. It’s important,” I pleaded, trying to

keep the urgency out of my voice.

Before the guard could refuse me again, the door cracked open and Logan’s

me up and

considering,

in,” he said, and the guard stepped aside,

on his

was as commanding off stage as it was onstage,

and thick with

doing their own thing. I was relieved, because I

be the two of us: man to

me, turning to face Logan,

of curiosity

is it?” he

real name. It was the pseudonym

was what

over.

can I do for you, Ken?” he asked, folding his

began, my hands clasped behind my back

something… a tension between you and

seem more personal than with the

why it seems like you’ve got it

eyebrows lifted. “Did Abby

“No. She has no idea I’m

you in

looked at me for a moment, then leaned back against the table.

assuming I dislike Abby, which couldn’t be further from

with a disarming calmness.

impression you give out there,”

it’s like she’s being singled

paused for a moment, considering. “Look, I know

gets them right, are some of the

this competition. And her techniques are pretty

the attitude, then?” I pressed.

live television, no less? You’re not nearly

was a

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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