Lara stood outside Victor's bakery, her arms crossed, her hazel eyes fierce, her curly brown hair blowing in the wind. Ethan was beside her, his green eyes determined, his black hair messy, a megaphone in his hand. They'd rallied the teens who still supported them—dozens of kids with signs, "Save Sweet Haven!" and "Victor Sucks!"—staging a bake-off protest right outside Victor's shop. The teens baked cookies on portable griddles, handing them out for free, their laughter and chants drawing a crowd, hashtags like #SaveSweetHaven trending again.
Victor stormed out, his suit pristine, his face red with anger. "You're pathetic, Lara! Stealing my customers with this stunt?" he shouted, but the teens booed him, one girl yelling, "Your cookies taste like cardboard!" The crowd laughed, snapping pics, the tide turning as people drifted back to Sweet Haven, the bakery buzzing again with life.
Lara and Ethan worked the protest, handing out cupcakes, their hands brushing, their smiles real despite the chaos. In a quiet moment, they slipped behind a table, Ethan's green eyes soft, his voice low. "I'm sorry for everything, Lara. I never wanted my past to hurt you."
Lara's heart melted, her hazel eyes warm as she touched his cheek. "I trust you, Ethan. We're stronger than this." She kissed him, soft and slow, the teens cheering, their love a beacon amidst the drama, their bond deeper than ever.
The protest worked—sales spiked, and Sweet Haven was back on track, the teens' support a game-changer. But as they cleaned up, a familiar black car pulled up—Ms. Harper, the investor from Chapter 15, stepped out, her gray hair elegant, her suit crisp. "I've been watching," she said, her voice smooth. "I'll invest again—no creative control this time. But I want a stake in your expansion. Take it or leave it."
Lara's heart raced, the offer a lifeline but a new challenge, her hand in Ethan's as they faced another turning point, their future hanging in the balance once more.
To be continued…