The night before, under his orders, his secretary had entered Sarah’s bakery, posing as a customer. As she left, she discreetly placed a sealed box in a dark corner, unnoticed. Inside, rats stirred.

The next morning, after a quiet breakfast, Sarah stepped into her bakery, ready for another busy day. Instead, she froze at the sight before her.

Rats. Everywhere.

They swarmed the countertops, ripped through bags of flour, and devoured loaves of bread and delicate pastries. Trays lay ...