| October 3, 2023 – 5:30 AM | Maep's Bakery & Café
Lin barely had four hours of sleep, but if her builders were going to work around the clock, she could at least make sure they didn't drop dead in the process.
The smell of fresh bread and coffee hit her the moment she stepped inside the bakery, the warmth a stark contrast to the crisp morning air.
Behind the counter, Sophie Liu—the owner and unofficial queen of Maep's early morning gossip—looked up and smirked.
"Zhang. I was wondering if you'd actually show up."
Lin yawned, rubbing her temple."You thought I'd abandon a hundred sandwiches?"
Sophie grinned, nodding toward the back."Your order's packed and ready. That's two trays of egg and sausage, two trays of ham and cheese, and two trays of veggie—because I assume at least one guy on your crew actually cares about his arteries."
Lin chuckled."Doubtful, but I like the optimism."****"
Sophie handed over the receipt."You need help carrying this out?"
Lin sighed."I still have to stop by the grocery store for lemonade and snacks."
Sophie snorted."Feeding an army?"
Lin smirked. "More like bribing one."
| October 3, 2023 – 6:15 AM | Maep's Grocery Store
The grocery store was empty at this hour, save for the lone cashier who looked like he regretted every life choice that led to working the morning shift.
Lin moved efficiently, loading four jugs of lemonade into her cart before heading straight for the snack aisle.
Granola bars—because at least they pretended to be healthy. Bags of trail mix—protein, whatever. Chips—because she wasn't a monster. A few candy bars—bribery worked best with sugar.
She rolled up to the counter, and the cashier—a bored-looking teenager with a name tag that read "DANIEL"—gave her a slow, unimpressed look.
"Big breakfast?" he asked, scanning the snacks.
Lin yawned again."Big construction crew."
Daniel nodded sagely."Ah. The Ethan Special."
Lin raised an eyebrow."The what?"
Daniel grinned."You wouldn't be the first person to buy out half the store because Ethan Grant overworked his guys."
Lin sighed, handing over her card."That man's a menace."
Daniel shrugged."Yeah, but he builds fast."
Lin smirked. "Can't argue with that."
She grabbed her bags, balancing them carefully as she headed back to the truck.
Next stop?
Breakfast delivery.
| October 3, 2023 – 7:00 AM | Lin's Farm
By the time Lin pulled into the driveway, the site was already buzzing with activity.
Men were hammering, sanding, wiring—moving like they had Red Bull in their veins and a deadline breathing down their necks. Ethan's crew wasn't just working fast—they were working like a pack of wolves with something to prove.
Lin parked near the half-finished hotel entrance, grabbed as many bags as she could carry, and kicked the truck door shut with her foot.
"Breakfast!" she called out.
Heads turned.
And then?
The stampede began.
"Holy hell, she brought real food."
"Is that lemonad—MOVE."
"If someone takes more than two sandwiches, I swear to god—"
Lin barely made it to the makeshift break area before the first tray was yanked out of her hands.
Ethan, looking like he hadn't slept but was somehow still running on pure stubborn energy, walked up, snagging a sandwich with a lazy grin."Didn't take you for the morale-boosting type."
Lin smirked. "I just don't want my crew passing out from malnutrition."
Ethan took a bite, humming appreciatively."Damn. Sophie made these?"
Lin nodded. "Baked fresh this morning. You should be thanking me."
One of the foremen—a guy named Matt, mid-forties, permanently sunburned—held up a sandwich like it was a religious artifact."Boss, I take back every insult I ever said about you under my breath."
Ethan snorted."Eat your damn sandwich, Matt."
Lin grabbed a lemonade jug, twisting the cap off."Alright, listen up. You've got two days left on this job, and I expect perfection. I don't care if you have to staple yourselves to the walls—everything better be finished exactly how I asked for it."
Matt swallowed his bite."If you keep feeding us like this, boss, we'll build you a second hotel for free."
Lin smirked. "I'll hold you to that."
Ethan leaned in slightly, voice low and amused."You do know you just won their loyalty forever, right?"
Lin sipped her lemonade, watching as the men ate like it was their last meal."Good. That means they'll work harder."
Ethan chuckled. "Remind me never to play poker with you."
Lin grinned. "Smart man."
| October 3, 2023 – 7:30 AM | Lin's Farm
With the crew busy inhaling their sandwiches, Lin grabbed a lemonade jug and sat on the unfinished porch, stretching her legs out.
Ethan, chewing on the last bite of his sandwich, dropped onto the steps beside her."You feeding me or interrogating me?"
Lin smirked. "Can't it be both?"
Ethan chuckled, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Alright, Zhang. You've been watching me all morning. What's on your mind?"
Lin swirled her lemonade, eyes sharp, voice casual."I've been hearing the December deadline more often."
Ethan's chewing slowed.
Lin didn't miss the way his fingers tensed against his knee.
"People are quitting their jobs," she continued, watching him. "Pulling out of projects. Moving timelines up. That's not normal."
Ethan exhaled through his nose, leaning back on his elbows. "No, it's not."
Lin took a sip. "So what's really going on?"
Ethan rubbed his face. "Look, I don't ask too many questions when big clients throw money at me. But yeah… something's off."
Lin waited, silent.
Ethan sighed. "I got an offer—high-profile job, rushed timeline, triple my usual rate. They want it done by December. No extensions."
Lin frowned. "Who's 'they'?"
Ethan shook his head. "No names. Just a contract, a location, and a payment guarantee."
Lin tapped her fingers against the jug."And you took it."
Ethan scoffed. "You see me sitting around turning down money?"
Lin smirked. "Fair. But don't you think it's weird? Everyone's in a rush. Like they know something we don't."
Ethan was quiet for a moment, then muttered, "Yeah. I do."
Lin watched the sunrise over her property, the wheels in her head spinning.
The first time around, this kind of movement didn't happen. People didn't panic until it was too late.
But now? The rich were moving first.
And Lin? She intended to be ahead of them all.