CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY SIX – THE FIRST SABOTAGE

The atmosphere at The Rusty Anchor had shifted dramatically in the weeks following their marketing push. What had once been a place of warmth and camaraderie now felt tense and uneasy. Charlotte stood behind the bar, her eyes constantly scanning the room for any sign of trouble. It had started with small incidents - a few broken glasses here, a clogged sink there. But things quickly escalated. One busy evening, the kitchen erupted into chaos as the ovens mysteriously shut off mid-service, leaving dozens of orders unfinished. Customers grumbled and complained, many leaving without paying. "I don't understand," Tony had muttered, frantically checking the equipment. "These ovens were working perfectly this morning." But the kitchen sabotage was just the beginning. A few days later, several patrons fell ill after drinking their usual pints. Rumors of food poisoning spread like wildfire through the small town, despite Mr. Davies's insistence that their food and drink were safe. Charlott