A 3-year-old boy from rural Maharashtra presents with recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia, lethargy, and hepatomegaly. His mother reports that symptoms worsen during fasting and improve after feeding. Laboratory investigations show: blood glucose 45 mg/dL (fasting), elevated liver transaminases (AST 120 U/L, ALT 110 U/L), normal ammonia levels, and markedly elevated serum free fatty acids (2.8 mmol/L). Urine organic acids show elevated dicarboxylic acids. A diagnosis of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency is suspected. Which of the following best explains the pathophysiology of hypoglycemia in this child?