Inside the dimly lit steakhouse, the air feels thick with anticipation, each step Daniel Whitmore takes toward the “EMPLOYEES ONLY” door echoing with purpose. His heart beats a steady rhythm, a reminder of why he’s here—to discover the truth that corporate words can’t capture. The note from Jenna burns a hole in his pocket, its weight far greater than its six words should allow.
He pauses at the edge of the hallway, glancing back at the dining room. The scene is unchanged: diners absorbed in their meals, oblivious to the unspoken drama unfolding around them. The manager, Bryce, stands with his back to Daniel, seemingly engrossed in a conversation with a couple of regulars. Yet Daniel knows better than to underestimate a man like Bryce, whose presence looms over the staff like a storm cloud ready to burst.
With a final glance, Daniel slips through the door, entering the narrow corridor lined with stainless steel and the hum of industrial refrigerators. It’s quieter here, the clatter of the kitchen a distant backdrop. Jenna waits at the end, her silhouette framed by the fluorescent glow. She looks up as he approaches, her expression a mixture of relief and resolve.
