Chapter 90 --90
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"We have identified the contaminated ingredient and removed it. All other food has been tested and verified safe." She paused. "However, out of extreme caution, all food court operations are suspended for three days while we conduct a complete safety review."
"What about the people who got sick?" someone shouted.
"They will receive full medical care at my expense. Additionally, each affected customer will be compensated one hundred gold for their distress and inconvenience."
The crowd stirred. One hundred gold was substantial—more than most of them earned in several months.
"Furthermore," Elara continued, "I’m offering free physician examinations to anyone who ate at the supermarket in the last three days and is concerned about their health. Present your receipt at the medical office and the examination cost will be covered."
That changed the tenor immediately. People stopped shouting accusations and started talking among themselves—some heading toward the medical office, others dispersing.
Dimitri appeared at her side. "Your Highness, that’s extremely expensive. Eight people at one hundred gold each, plus free medical examinations for potentially hundreds—"
"It’s cheaper than letting the rumors destroy the supermarket’s reputation." She watched the crowd thin. "And it establishes that I take customer safety seriously."
"But Carver did this deliberately. You’re essentially rewarding his sabotage—"
"I’m mitigating the damage while I prepare proper retaliation." Elara turned back toward the building. "Carver made a mistake. He struck at my business but left evidence of his involvement. The poisoned spices came from his supply company. That creates a trail."
"You’re going to prove he did it deliberately?"