Chapter 100

The next morning dawned with crystalline clarity,the sky swept clean of yesterday's troubles.

Inside Bob's Cuisine, within the confines of his upstairs office, Bob remained anchored to his chair.

His eyes traced the movements across the street,where Avalon teemed with patrons like bees drawn to honey. Envy gnawed at his chest with relentless persistence.

Before Avalon had emerged from its cocoon, his own establishment had thrived with steady crowds. Now, however, his dining room echoed with the hollow sound of empty tables and scattered conversations.

As he contemplated the storm he had unleashed upon Avalon, satisfaction curved his lips into a predatory smile.

Bob's fingers found his phone and he checked the time with calculated precision. Thirty minutes had melted away, and his carefully orchestrated

plan should now be bearing its poisonous fruit.

The silence shattered as urgent knocking thundered against his door.

"Enter."

The door burst open like a dam breaking, and his assistant stumbled inside, breathless and frantic."Boss-"

Before the words could fully escape, Bob leaned forward with hungry anticipation. "Has something happened at Avalon?"

The assistant's face drained of color, and he stammered through his revelation. "It's not Avalon that's suffering, sir. It's our restaurant. Our customers have been struck with violent diarrhea after their meals. They're forming a desperate line outside the restroom doors, and their anger burns white-hot."

"What?" Bob's world tilted on its axis, and he launched himself from his chair, racing toward the stairs.

Every patron who graced his establishment carried weight in the community. Even the least influential among them possessed considerable means. If he had wounded their dignity, how

could he possibly salvage his reputation?

As Bob descended the staircase, the scene below unfolded like a nightmare. A queue of suffering souls stretched from the restroom entrance, while others hunched over tables, clutching their tortured stomachs as pain twisted their features into masks of agony.

One customer spotted Bob's approach, his face darkening like storm clouds. "Mr. Johnson, was today's cuisine prepared with spoiled ingredients? My stomach has been in rebellion since I finished eating, and l've made countless trips to the restroom."

Another voice joined the chorus of complaint."I've dined here many times before, and the food has always been exceptional. Did you replace your chefs?"

Bob's voice carried false confidence as he attempted to soothe their concerns. "As cherished patrons, you understand our unwavering standards. We have always sourced the finest ingredients available. This must surely be somne terrible misunderstanding."

"Then how do you explain what's happening now?"

"Exactly! So many people are suffering. Are you certain your ingredients meet safety standards?"

An elderly gentleman, his voice measured and grave, spoke with the authority of experience. "I spent decades working in agriculture. This bears all the hallmarks of pesticide contamination causing widespread food poisoning."

Bob's mind reeled with disbelief. His establishment operated with meticulous standards, employing only the most qualified staff. How could such a fundamental oversight have occurred?

More troubling still, this catastrophe should have befallen Avalon, not his own restaurant.

Could it be possible that the calculating Arabella had somehow turned his own weapon against him?

Fighting to contain his rising fury, Bob offered his explanation. "You've all been loyal customers and should remember we've never encountered such difficulties. This must be the work of that shameless establishment across the street.They're consumed with jealousy over our success and have resorted to this underhanded trickery."

"What proof do you have to support such

accusations?" a customer demanded.

Bob's conviction rang hollow as he pressed his case. "I've operated this restaurant for years without a single incident. Now, the moment they open their doors, suddenly we're plagued with problems. If they bear no responsibility for this mess, then who else could possibly be behind it?I'm going to march over there and demand answers!"

Bob stormed toward Avalon, with several curious customers trailing behind him, eager to witness the confrontation that would unfold.

The moment Bob crossed the threshold, the manager stepped forward with professional composure. "Mr. Johnson, is there something troubling you?"

"Summon your boss immediately!" Bob's voice cracked like a whip.

"Is there a specific problem? Perhaps you could explain it to me first."

Bob's patience evaporated entirely. "Stop wasting precious time and bring your boss down here now."

"Of course, everyone please wait just a moment,"

the manager responded with gracious calm before turning to ascend the stairs.

When Arabela descended, she surveyed the scene with the cool assessment of a general evaluating a battlefield. She approached with measured steps, her voice carrying the weight of quiet authority. "Everyone, if you've come to enjoy a meal, you're most welcome. If you've come to create chaos, we have no time for such theatrics."

"Arabella, confess your crimes! Did you sabotage the ingredients at my restaurant? You heartless,calculating woman!" Bob's voice thundered through the space.

This despicable person had dared to strike at his livelihood, and today he would expose her treachery for all to see.

The customers behind him could no longer contain their frustration. One of them snapped at Arabella, "Your personal vendetta is causing us tremendous suffering. You're destroying your own reputation!"

"Mr. Johnson, are you quite certain you've chosen the correct venue for your dramatic accusations?" Arabella's words flowed like silk

over steel, her gaze sweeping across every face in the crowded hall.

Bob's response came loaded with venom, "Are you still maintaining your innocence? My restaurant has operated flawlessly for years. The moment you open Avalon, suddenly pesticide residue contaminates my ingredients. Are you truly claiming you bear no responsibility for this coincidence?"

"Pesticide residue? I've been a patron of Mr.Johnson's establishment before, and the food was always excellent. Did this restaurant's owner really orchestrate something so underhanded?" A customer dining at Avalon couldn't suppress their growing suspicion.

Arabella's laugh carried the sharp edge of bitter irony. "Now I truly grasp the wisdom behind the saying 'the pot calling the kettle black."

Bob's expression transformed instantly,uncertainty flickering across his features. "What exactly are you implying?"

Arabella dismissed his question with elegant indifference and addressed the gathered crowd."Ladies and gentlemen, the equipment and ingredients within these walls represent the

absolute pinnacle of quality. Moreover, I find myself the victim of completely false accusations!"

Bob felt panic clawing at his chest, though he maintained his aggressive facade. "What ridiculous nonsense are you spouting? You're accusing me of orchestrating some elaborate frame job? Do you possess any evidence whatsoever? Without solid proof, these are nothing more than desperate, baseless accusations!"

"Who claimed I lack evidence?" Arabella responded, raising her voice for everyone to hear.