Chapter 143

Bedaher and [Name?] were discussing the failed smear campaign. “Why didn’t the call go through to the people you sent to Evermore Diner? What on earth happened?”

Carol Sovket remained silent.

“Did you, or did you not, bribe the chefs?” Seeing that Carol didn’t answer, Bedaher’s hand tightened. Carmel, summoning her courage, decided to tell him what had happened at Evermore Diner.

“My plan didn’t work. Winona and the other employees I sent were all arrested and are being investigated by the police. Indiary Network, Penguin Media, and Viral Voice were all involved. Our slander attempt was caught on camera.”

“What?!” Benjamin shot up from his chair, furious. He knocked over his cup, spilling its contents across the floor as it shattered. He stared, enraged, like a ferocious beast.

His plan to slander Evermore Diner had failed. Indiary Network, Penguin Media, and Viral Voice had all reported on it. Benjamin was mortified. He believed these major media reports would destroy Gastronova Ventures' reputation. His uncles would surely berate him in front of his grandfather; he might even be expelled from his family.

"How did this happen?" Benjamin gritted his teeth, glaring at Carol.

Intimidated by his expression, Carol stammered, “Mr. Palmer, I don’t know. The Evermore Diner chefs took our bribe and promised to help.”

Then, a thought struck her. “I got it! It must have been the Evermore Group. They set us up and waited for us to take the bait.”

Benjamin clenched his fists, his knuckles white. Murderous anger burned in his eyes as he looked at Carol. He wondered, “Why didn’t she think of that yesterday? She could have prevented all this.”

Chapter 145

“Get out!” Benjamin roared at Carol, pointing to the door. His brutal shout terrified her. Her face paled, and she stumbled from the office.

Left alone, Benjamin collapsed in despair, feeling utterly defeated. His phone rang. He stared blankly at the screen, then numbly answered the unfamiliar number. “Hello, who is this…?”

“Mr. Palmer, long time no see,” a taunting voice replied.

Benjamin recognized the voice. His body stiffened. “Gilmore Reed!” he growled.

“Yes, it’s Gilmore Reed. And you must be desperate, aren’t you?”

A fierce glint flashed in Benjamin’s eyes. “You bought off those chefs at a higher price, didn’t you?”

“No, they didn’t help you because they had a conscience. You dug your own grave,” Gilmore said.

“Oh, really? Gilmore Reed, do you have any evidence? The waiter was from Evermore Diner. Don’t think you can pin this on me.” Benjamin sneered, confident he'd left no trace. He'd never met the chefs in person. Even if Winona talked, there was no concrete proof he was the mastermind. She was now an Evermore Diner employee.

Despite the failed plan, Benjamin felt safe.

“Mr. Palmer, you sound confident. Have you checked the news? Turn on the TV. They’re reporting your ‘brilliant deed’ right now.” Gilmore chuckled. “With this stain on Gastronova Ventures' reputation, do you think you can keep your position when your grandfather sees this?”

Benjamin’s face darkened. “Gilmore Reed, if you think you can scare me…”

“Well then, I’ll leave you to it.” Gilmore hung up.

Benjamin threw his phone on the desk and turned on the TV. The local news was showing a report from Evermore Diner.

The reporter said, “Here at this Evermore Diner branch, we witnessed an unethical slander attempt. A rival restaurant planted an undercover waiter to contaminate dishes, smearing Evermore Diner’s reputation. Since Evermore Diner’s debut a month ago, its success has been impressive. Its innovative natural healthcare services have won over countless diners and gone viral. In just one month, it’s become Oakhaven’s biggest catering brand. However, this popularity has brought unwanted attacks. A rival resorted to illegal means to tarnish Evermore Group’s reputation.”

The reporter pointed to Winona, the chefs, and the Gastronova employees. "This waiter and these diners were sent by a rival company to plant bugs in dishes and create a food safety scandal. We have video evidence against Gastronova Ventures, formerly Oakhaven’s biggest food and beverage business. Next, we’ll play the video of Gastronova Ventures’ vice president, Benjamin Palmer, and general manager, Carol Patterson, bribing Evermore Diner chefs…”

The video showed Benjamin and Carol clearly. Their entire conversation about slandering Evermore Diner was broadcast.

Benjamin broke out in a cold sweat. His hands trembled as he turned off the TV. He was caught on camera, and now the footage was public. He felt his career and Gastronova Ventures were finished.