Lila Macapagal
Lila is the story's protagonist. After breaking up with her boyfriend, Lila returns to Shady Palms, Indiana, to help her aunt, who is struggling in her restaurant business. However, things do not work out as Lila had planned because her ex-boyfriend, Derek, follows her to Indiana. Derek is in his stepfather's company when they visit Rosie's restaurant where Lila works.
Lila serves Derek food but realizes he has food from outside, which is not allowed in the restaurant. After Derik finishes eating, he develops complications and dies the following day. Lila becomes the main suspect in the murder and is taken in for investigation. However, Lila is intelligent because she does her parallel investigations and discovers that Derek died of food poisoning, which was contained in the drink he had bought from the nearby shop.
Derek Winter
Derek Winter is Lila’s ex-boyfriend. Derek is dishonest, disloyal, and aggressive. Lila broke up with Derek because he cheated on her severally. Derek’s task is to test food in different restaurants and write articles about the food quality. However, Derek is paid by the health inspectorates to make false reports so that they can extort money from restaurant owners. Later, Derek dies after Steve, a coffee shop owner, poisons him.
Mr. Long
Mr. Long is Derek's stepfather. Mr. Long is a corrupt individual. Mr. Long works closely with Derek and corrupt health officials to swindle restaurant owners. When Mrs. Long suspects her husband might have poisoned Derek, she kills him.
Rosie
Rosie is Lila's aunt who owns a restaurant in Shady Palms. Rosie is a hard worker focused on growing her business. Unfortunately, she is struggling in her business due to economic challenges. The situation worsens when the police close Rosie's restaurant after discovering that Derek's death is associated with food poisoning.
Detective Park
Detective Park is the officer overseeing the investigation concerning Derik's death. Park is a curious officer who takes every detail seriously while doing his work. Park's initial investigation indicates that Lila is the main suspect in Derek's death.
Mrs. Long
Mrs. Long is Derek’s mother. Upon realizing that Derek is dead, Mrs. Long kills Mr. Long because she suspects that he is the one who poisoned her son. Unfortunately, Rosie is accused of killing Mr. Long, a crime she never committed.
Kevin
Kevin is a coffee owner next to Rosie's restaurant. Kevin hates Derek because of his manipulative practices. When Derek buys coffee, Kevin intentionally puts excessive caffeine inside. When Derek drinks the coffee, he dies the following day.
