The private test kitchen at the newly constructed Sterling Grand Hotel was a masterpiece of modern culinary engineering.

Clara stood at the center of the expansive marble island, surrounded by gleaming induction ranges, state-of-the-art sous-vide baths, and a wall of imported copper cookware that

The grand ballroom of the Sterling Grand Hotel was a vision of absolute opulence. Crystal chandeliers cast a brilliant, diamond-like glow over the hundreds of elite guests moving across the floor. Champagne flowed from cascading towers, and a string quartet played softly in the corner.

But tonight

The gala had ended hours ago.

The last of the elite guests had departed, the press had rushed off to publish their glowing reviews, and the kitchen staff had meticulously scrubbed the exhibition stations before clocking out for the night.

The massive ballroom of the Sterling Grand Hotel was fina