The sun had barely risen when Lauren and her team from Empress Brew arrived at the grand hall hosting the Golden Bean Championship.
It was exactly two weeks after they got the notice that they had qualified for the competition and finally, the D-day was here.
The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the excitement of the gathered baristas and coffee enthusiasts.
"Here we are, team," she announced. Her voice was a blend of nerves and excitement. "Let's find our spot and get settled."
They navigated through the bustling crowd to their allotted area, a cozy corner decorated with a name tag reading… Empress Brew.
After settling the group, Lauren left as all the leaders were expected to register their company at the front desk to secure their participation.
As she made her way back to her team, Lauren's thoughts were interrupted when she accidentally bumped into a woman near the entrance.