The sweet aroma of freshly baked croissants wafted through the air as the morning sunlight streamed into the cozy bakery. The display case, filled with an assortment of colorful pastries, seemed to gleam with an air of innocence, a stark contrast to the hushed conversation unfolding in the back room. "I'm telling you, it's suspicious. Emma's been acting strange all week." "Strange? That's just Emma being Emma. She's always a bit...flaky." "Flaky? She's been arguing with Richard nonstop. I heard them yelling in the alleyway behind the café just yesterday." "Oh, that's just their usual drama. Besides, what does it have to do with the missing funds from the Spring Fling account?" "Everything, if you ask me. Emma's been in charge of those funds, and now they're gone. Coincidence? I think not." A timer beeped in the background, and the sound of sliding trays echoed from the kitchen, momentarily interrupting the tense exchange. "Shh, keep your voice down. We don't want the whole town to know just yet."