The next morning, the entire city woke up to shocking news.
Newspapers sold out within hours.
Large headlines filled the front pages.
"Famous Businesswoman Arrested for Sabotage!"
"Restaurant Scandal Exposes Dark Corporate Plot!"
"Miss Zhao Accused of Multiple Crimes!"
People gathered around newspaper stands, pointing and whispering.
Isn't this the woman who always bragged about being from a powerful family?
"I heard she tried to destroy that new restaurant on Golden Street."
"Not just that! They said she also sabotaged a fashion company."
"The police arrested her last night!
The story spread faster than wildfire.
Inside the police station, Miss Zhao sat stiffly in an interrogation room.
Her usual elegant appearance was gone.
Her hair was slightly messy.
Her expensive makeup had faded after hours of questioning.
Across the table sat two officers.
One of them slid a thick folder onto the table.
Inside were photographs.
Evidence.
Bank transfers.
Security footage.
The officer spoke calmly.
Miss Zhao, we have evidence linking you to two criminal incidents.
Miss Zhao clenched her hands.
"This is ridiculous."
The officer ignored her interruption and continued.
First crime: corporate sabotage against Arielle Fashion during the design exhibition.
He flipped to the next page.
Second crime: illegal chemical contamination attempt at Arielle's restaurant on Golden Street.
Miss Zhao's face turned pale.
You can't prove I ordered those things.
The officer leaned back slightly.
"Oh, we can."
He pressed a button.
A television screen on the wall lit up.
Security footage appeared.
It showed the man Miss Zhao had hired secretly entering the restaurant kitchen late at night.
Moments later
The same man was shown accepting a large envelope of cash from Miss Zhao's assistant.
Miss Zhao's heart sank.
"You… you manipulated that footage."
The officer's voice became colder.
We also have his confession.
Miss Zhao froze.
Her entire body went cold.
The officer leaned forward.
"Miss Zhao, your assistant has already confessed everything."
The room became silent.
For the first time since her arrest…
Miss Zhao felt real fear.
Public Humiliation
Later that afternoon, police escorted Miss Zhao out of the station.
But outside
Hundreds of people were waiting.
Reporters.
Cameras.
Curious citizens.
The moment she stepped outside, flashes exploded everywhere.
Miss Zhao! Did you sabotage the restaurant?!
"Did you try to poison customers?!"
"Is it true you destroyed Liu Meilin Fashion's competition show?!"
Microphones were pushed toward her face.
People whispered behind her.
"That's the woman who tried to ruin the restaurant."
Serves her right.
I heard the owner is a young woman who built everything from nothing.
Miss Zhao's pride shattered under the weight of public humiliation.
Her face burned with rage.
But the police pushed her toward the car.
Before she entered the vehicle
She caught sight of someone standing across the street.
Liu Meilin.
Standing beside Lu Jianfeng.
Watching calmly.
Miss Zhao's eyes filled with hatred.
"You…"
But the police shut the car door before she could say another word.
The vehicle drove away.
And just like that.
Miss Zhao's reputation collapsed.
The City's New Star
Meanwhile…
Golden Street had never been so lively.
Liu Meilin's restaurant was now the center of attention in the entire city.
A long line stretched outside the entrance.
Customers waited patiently, chatting excitedly.
"I heard the noodles here are legendary!"
"My friend said the braised beef melts in your mouth!"
"I came for the hotpot, my friend said she enjoyed it both the sea food dish."
"I came all the way across the city to try it!"
Inside the restaurant, the kitchen was a battlefield of delicious chaos.
Pots steamed.
Knives chopped vegetables rapidly.
The smell of spices filled the air.
Zhao Lihua ran between tables with a bright smile.
"Table six, your dumplings!"
Xiao Yue carefully arranged dishes on serving trays.
"Be careful, the soup is hot!"
Liu Ming stood at the counter managing orders.
Liu Qiang helped with the order, While Lin Wei helped in explaining they dishes, in case of allergy.
"We're almost out of beef noodles again,
Liu Cheng turned toward in shock.
"How do we keep selling out every day?!"
Liu Meilin smiled calmly while stirring a pot.
"Because the food is good."
Lu Jianfeng watching her quietly.
His eyes softened.
The woman in front of him
,
She had once been mocked by an entire village.
Now she was becoming the most talked-about entrepreneur in the city.
And she did it all with her own ability.
Unexpected Visitors
In the afternoon, a luxury car stopped outside the restaurant.
Then another.
And another.
Several well-dressed men entered the restaurant together.
Zhao Lihua blinked.
"Uh…Liu Meilin?"
Liu Meilin stepped out of the kitchen.
The men approached politely.
One of them extended his hand.
"Miss Liu Meilin, my name is Mr. Liang. I represent Golden Capital Investments."
Another man smiled.
"And I'm from East River Hospitality Group."
Liu Meilin raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
Mr. Liang spoke first.
"Your restaurant has become extremely popular in just two days."
"We believe it has incredible business potential."
The second man nodded.
"We would like to discuss a partnership opportunity."
Zhao Lihua almost dropped the tray she was holding.
"PARTNERSHIP?!"
Liu Ming whispered excitedly.
"They want to invest!"
Lu Jianfeng remained calm, but his eyes watched Liu Meilin carefully.
This moment would determine her future. Liu Meilin crossed her arms slightly.
"What kind of partnership?"
Mr. Liang smiled confidently.
"We want to help expand your restaurant into a chain."
Multiple locations.
Across the city.
Possibly even across the country.
The room fell silent.
Everyone stared at Liu Meilin.
But Liu Meilin didn't answer immediately.
Instead
A familiar voice appeared in her mind.
System Upgrade
[System Notification]
Restaurant Reputation: Legendary Growth
New Reward Unlocked.
Restaurant Empire Expansion Plan Activated
New Features Available:
• Advanced Menu Development
• Branch Management System
• Premium Ingredient Supply Network
• Elite Chef Recruitment
Mission:
Expand the restaurant to 5 locations.
Reward:
Massive wealth and influence growth.
Liu Meilin's eyes flashed with excitement.
The system had just opened an entirely new path.
Not just one restaurant.
But an empire.
Lu Jianfeng noticed the spark in her eyes.
He smiled slightly.
"Looks like you've made a decision."
Liu Meilin looked at the investors calmly.
Then she smiled.
"Yes."
"I'm interested."
Outside the restaurant, the line of customers grew longer.
Inside the kitchen, the aroma of delicious food continued to fill the air.
The fall of one enemy…
Had just opened the door to something far bigger.