Chapter 414

Owen was stunned. He watched in disbelief as a table of diners finished their meal at his restaurant, only to see a young man in his twenties suddenly collapse. The young man fell to the floor, convulsing, frothing at the mouth, and twitching uncontrollably. Nearby diners were startled; several tables hurriedly settled their bills and left. Others, terrified, dropped their utensils and jumped up, shouting, "Is there something wrong with your food?"

"Impossible!" Owen vehemently protested. His restaurant, Maximus, prioritized health and cleanliness, closely followed by the quality of its dishes. The kitchen was fully transparent, and he even allowed customers to visit at any time, demonstrating his commitment to food quality. He had done his best, yet people constantly stirred up trouble for other reasons. This convulsing young man was likely staging a scene to tarnish his restaurant's reputation. However, he could do nothing but accept the situation.

Feeling utterly helpless, Owen immediately instructed someone to call an ambulance. After the call, a sudden silence fell over the crowd. Turning back, Owen saw the young man frothing at the mouth. As he continued to convulse, his eyes rolled back, and then he lay still.

Someone exclaimed, "Is he… dead?" This sent shockwaves through the restaurant. Other diners were visibly shaken, some even rushing to induce vomiting. Regardless of the outcome, Maximus Restaurant's reputation and business would be severely impacted. Owen was at a loss for words.

Just as he was about to check the young man's breathing and pulse, the man's companion grabbed his arm and whispered, half-threatening, half-warning, "Mr. Hughes, I'll ask you one last time—are you not considering our generous offer? That sum is far greater than the dividends Charlie pays you. It would be a shame to pass up such a significant benefit. If you agree to sell us ten percent of your shares, we will withdraw immediately. Otherwise, your restaurant may not stay afloat."

Having heard similar threats multiple times that day, Owen smiled thinly and didn't check the man's vital signs. He stepped back and replied, "Do as you wish."

He scoffed, thinking, Do they believe I can be easily manipulated just because I'm older? Unlike other shareholders focused solely on profit, he wasn't interested in selling what he valued; not even for a mountain of gold.

"Mr. Hughes, since you're so stubborn, you can't blame us if things worsen. It's all on you." After this harsh warning, Owen remained unmoved.

One of the men grabbed a chair and smashed it on a table, shouting, "This place killed someone! What kind of evil establishment is this? I'm going to sue you! I'll make sure you go bankrupt!" The others quickly joined in. In moments, chaos erupted. Plates and bowls shattered, tables overturned, and food was strewn across the floor.

The waiter and restaurant manager were stunned. Owen stood still, his expression one of resignation. He thought, Well, if it can't go on, then so be it. Some principles were worth keeping. He blamed himself for getting involved with such thugs.

Owen shook his head and told the manager, "Let the customers leave. There's no need to settle the bill; close the restaurant."

The manager was taken aback. "Close the restaurant? But…"

Owen waved his hand. "Just do as I say."

The manager was about to nod when a clear voice came from the entrance. "We've done nothing wrong, so how can we just close the restaurant?"

Owen turned to see Tiffany walking in with a cheerful smile. She was casually dressed in a light-colored jacket and jeans, her high ponytail adding a youthful touch.

Seeing Tiffany, Owen was pleasantly surprised. "Tiffany, what brings you here? Don't you have class today?"

The men paused, but seeing it was just a young girl, they sneered and continued smashing things. "Keep smashing!"

They became more aggressive, their actions endangering nearby diners. Screams mingled with the sounds of destruction.

Owen considered calling security when Tiffany snapped her fingers and said lazily, "Someone, tie them up for me!"

Over ten people in identical black suits entered, their imposing physiques radiating strength. Their sudden appearance created overwhelming pressure. The men panicked and stepped back. "What do you want? I warn you—"

Tiffany commanded, "Bind them!"

Within two minutes, her subordinates bound the five troublemakers. Following Tiffany's signal, the restaurant's entrance was locked, trapping everyone inside.

The troublemakers attempted to incite the other diners, shouting, "This is a shady restaurant! Their food killed someone, and they're trying to cover it up!" However, most recognized Tiffany's reputation in Lovell City. Their curiosity was piqued; they wondered how she would handle the situation.

It wasn't intimidation or bribery. Tiffany turned to everyone with a bright smile. "Don't be afraid. We're closing the doors to watch a show!"

Someone asked, "What kind of show?"

"A great question!" Tiffany replied smoothly. "I'll demonstrate that Owen's restaurant has no issues with its food whatsoever."

"How will you prove that?" several people asked.

Tiffany's words piqued everyone's curiosity. No one knew what she planned.