Chapter 22 I wake up to my phone buzzing nonstop . For a moment , I think it's more hate messages or fake reviews , and my stomach clenches . But when I check the screen , it's notifications from social media - dozens of them . Someone posted a defense of my bakery , My hands shake as I read the first post : " I've been eating at Sunrise Bakes for months . The owner is meticulous about cleanliness and quality . These sudden complaints smell like a setup to me . Has anyone actually verified these claims ? " Then another : " My family orders from Sunrise Bakes every week . Never once gotten sick . This feels like someone trying to destroy a small business . " And another : " The timing is suspicious . All these complaints hit at once ? From brand new accounts ? Something's not right here . " Tears blur my vision as I scroll through comment after comment from people defending my bakery . Regular customers sharing photos of their favorite pastries , talking about how my bread brightens their morning , how Lily always waves at them through the window . I had no idea people cared this much . For six months , I've been so focused on perfecting recipes and managing the business that I never realized I was building something bigger - a community . Lily pads into my room in her pajamas , rubbing sleepy eyes . " Mama , why are you crying ? Is the bakery still pretend sick ? " " Happy tears , sweetheart . " I pull her onto the bed beside me . " Look - all these people are saying nice things about our bakery . " She peers at my phone with serious concentration . " They like our bread ? " " They love our bread . And they don't believe the mean people who said it made them sick . " " Good . I knew the bread wasn't really sick . " She snuggles against my shoulder . " Can we open again today ? " " Not yet , baby . We have to wait for the official report . But maybe soon . " After breakfast , I can't stop checking social media . The tide has completely turned . Where yesterday there were nothing but accusations and demands for refunds , now there's an outpouring of support . People are sharing their own positive experiences , calling out the fake accounts , demanding justice for my bakery . 1/4 < Chapter 22 But who started this defense ? Who organized this counter - campaign ? My phone rings . Dorian . More Rewards > " Good morning , " his voice is warm , and I can hear the smile in it . " I take it you've seen the posts ? " " Dorian , did you do this ? " " I may have reached out to a few regular customers who frequent the bakery . Asked them to share their honest experiences online . " My chest tightens with emotion . " You organized all this ? " " I simply made a few phone calls . The response was entirely genuine - people really do love what you've built there . " " I don't know how to thank you . " " You don't need to thank me . This is what happens when good people stand up for what's right ." Before I can respond , there's a knock at my door . My heart jumps - is it the health department with more bad news ? Through the peephole , I see a woman in a business suit holding an official envelope . I open the door cautiously , Lily hiding behind my legs . " Ms. Scarlett ? I'm Jennifer Walsh from the health department . I have your inspection results ." My hands shake as I take the envelope . " Already ? You said it could take weeks . " " Expedited processing ," she says with a small smile . " Your samples came back completely clean . No contamination , no violations . Your facility exceeds all safety standards . " Relief hits me like a physical wave . " So I can reopen ? " " Immediately . The closure notice has been lifted . " She hands me another document . " These are your official results . I'd suggest posting them online to clear your reputation . " The moment she leaves , I call Dorian . " Clean ," I breathe into the phone . " Everything came back clean . No violations at all . " " I told you ," his voice is full of quiet satisfaction . " When can you reopen ? " " Today . Right now , if I want to . " 2/4 < Chapter 22 " Do you want to ? " More Rewards > I think about facing the customers who might still believe the lies . About starting over after having my reputation dragged through the mud . About the fear that this could happen again . Then I think about Mrs. Patterson's granddaughter asking for her favorite cupcakes . About Mr. Rodriguez stopping by every morning for his coffee and cinnamon roll . About the young mother who brings her toddler in just to see Lily wave from behind the counter . " Yes , " I say firmly . " I want to reopen today . " " I'll be your first customer . " Within an hour , I have the official health department report posted across all social media platforms . The results are crystal clear - not only did my bakery pass inspection , it exceeded standards in every category . The response is immediate . Comments flood in congratulating me , expressing outrage at the false accusations , demanding accountability for whoever tried to destroy my business . But then I notice something that makes my blood run cold . Several of the fake accounts that posted negative reviews have been deleted entirely . Not just the posts - the entire accounts are gone . Like someone realized they'd been caught and tried to cover their tracks . All except one . There's still one review up , and when I click on the profile , my heart stops . The account was created six months ago . Right around the time I opened my bakery . And while there's no profile picture , the writing style in the bio is eerily familiar . " Small town girl living her best life in the big city . Family means everything to me . " I know that phrasing . I've heard those exact words before . My phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number : " Congratulations on clearing your name . Enjoy it while it lasts . " The number is blocked , untraceable . But I don't need to trace it to know who sent it . Virginia . She's been watching me for six months . Planning this attack from the moment I opened my doors . And the message makes it clear - this was just the beginning . 3/4 < Chapter 22 More Rewards I screenshot the threatening text and the remaining fake review , my hands shaking . Then I do something I never thought I'd have the courage to do . I dial the police . " I need to report cyberbullying and business sabotage , " I tell the officer who answers . " Someone orchestrated a coordinated attack on my business using fake accounts and false health claims . " " Do you have evidence ? " " Screenshots , witness statements , a pattern of harassment ." I take a deep breath . " And I think I know who's behind it . " As I give my statement over the phone , Lily looks up from her coloring book with worried eyes . " Mama , are the mean people going to hurt our bakery again ? " I kneel down beside her , smoothing her dark hair . " Not if I can help it , sweetheart . Mama's going to make sure they can't hurt us anymore . " Violet Moon # Vote # ! Comments