Chapter 141

The chefs left in two taxis. A proud smile appeared on Winona's face as she watched them speed away. She then took out her phone and made a call.

Carol's gruff voice answered. "They left?"

"Yes, Ms. Patterson," Winona replied respectfully.

"Okay. Just follow the plan tomorrow."

"Got it, Ms. Patterson."

Winona hung up. Turning, she disappeared into the night.

Twenty minutes later, the two taxis arrived at a hotel. The five chefs alighted and went to room 8 on the eighth floor. Roland Bosworth knocked and called, "Mr. Reed!"

Gerald opened the door. "Come in!" He stepped aside, motioning for the chefs to enter. After they were all inside, he closed the door.

Gilmore gestured to a couch. "Please, have a seat."

The chefs nodded and sat. Gilmore looked at them. "How did it go?"

Roland, in a dark brown suit, nodded. "Mr. Reed, as you suspected, Winona Reese is a spy sent to Evermore Diner by Gastronova Ventures. He led us to a private room in Lunar Café. Before long, the general manager of Gastronova Ventures, Ms. Patterson, arrived."

"Let me guess," Gilmore asked, "they wanted you to put bugs in Evermore Diner's food while you were cooking, right?"

The chefs nodded. Roland continued indignantly, "Those people from Gastronova Ventures are despicable! They know they can't win in head-to-head competition against Evermore Diner, so they resorted to plotting against us. Can Benjamin Palmer be any more shameless?"

Gilmore had already spoken to the chefs before their meeting with Carol. He had explained that Benjamin Palmer and Gastronova Ventures were trying to sabotage Evermore Diner. He had also told them how he obtained this information. After hearing Gilmore's account, the chefs reaffirmed their loyalty to Evermore Diner and promised never to act against its interests. Therefore, Gilmore asked them to act as if they knew nothing. Carol, Benjamin, and Winona were unaware they were being manipulated. While they believed they could bribe the chefs into ruining Evermore Diner's reputation, the chefs were meeting Gilmore at the hotel.

"Very good. Thank you for saving Evermore Diner from Benjamin's malicious scheme," Gilmore said, praising them.

The chefs replied humbly, "It's nothing, Mr. Reed. If it weren't for you, we would still be in the village barely making ends meet. Look at us now—we're chefs earning over fifteen hundred dollars a month! Our living standards have greatly improved. Evermore Diner is our livelihood; we will do everything to protect it."

Roland produced a bank card. "This is the bribe money from Gastronova Ventures' general manager. Take it."

The other four chefs also placed their cards on the table. "Mr. Reed, this is dirty money. We won't take it! They think they can buy us off, but some things can't be bought—our conscience and self-esteem!"

Gilmore, however, returned the cards. "I know you won't be bought, but if we return the money, they'll only do more harm. By taking it, we prevent them from using it for evil."

The chefs were stunned. "Spending their money is a good deed? That's quite new, but it makes sense. If we return this money, it'll go to waste."

They took back their cards.

"If there are no more questions, just follow the plan tomorrow," Gilmore said.

"Will do, Mr. Reed," the chefs replied.

"Okay," Gilmore continued. "It's been a long day. Go back and rest."

The chefs left.

Chapter 111

After they left, Gilmore told Gerald, "Retrieve the pinhole cameras we set up in Lunar Café's private room later."

Gerald nodded.

Under the cover of night, Gerald stealthily entered the private room through a window and retrieved the cameras. He then returned to the hotel.

Gilmore was waiting. "Here," Gerald handed him the cameras.

"You didn't get caught, did you?" Gilmore asked.

Gerald replied, "If I got caught, I wouldn't be here. Stop questioning my ability. For your information, I'm the one who's been protecting you all along."

Gilmore was relieved. This was a simple task for someone like Gerald.

Gilmore connected the cameras to his computer and reviewed the footage. The scenario matched what he'd seen with his "God's Eye." He sneered. Benjamin wouldn't know he was being played.

Gerald, after watching the footage, said angrily, "Benjamin Palmer and that Patterson woman are brazen! Can we report this to the police now that we have evidence?"

Gilmore replied calmly, "No rush. Just watch the show tomorrow."

The next day at noon, Evermore Diner was bustling. The five chefs worked in the kitchen. Winona, waiting tables, smiled insidiously at the full restaurant. He envisioned the diners screaming and vomiting after eating the tainted food. Ms. Patterson had also hired reporters, waiting in a van nearby. They would report on the food scandal as soon as the customers reacted.

The final line "+ GA" is unclear and has been omitted. The repeated "Search the FindNovel.net website" has also been removed as it is redundant.