Chapter 3

I went back to my office and closed the door.

Outside the window, the sunset was a brilliant red, matching the name of the community kitchen—Sunset Joy.

When I first chose that name, it was in hopes that the elderly could have a little more joy in their sunset years.

Now, looking back, it felt like bitter irony.

I took out my phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, is this James Knight? It's Wendy Lawson. Do you still have the proposal for the project you mentioned last time—the one converting the neighborhood's retail space into a card room?

"Yes, send it to me. I need it right away."

…

The next day at noon, the community kitchen's dining hall was packed. Nearly a hundred elderly people filled the small space to the brim.

Every face was filled with expectation and excitement.

Mr. Fletcher stood at the center, surrounded by a crowd, and was talking loudly. "Everyone, relax! Once my granddaughter posted that video, she got scared! We're definitely getting answers today! If she doesn't agree to our demands, we'll keep making noise!"

"Yeah! Make her give back the subsidies!"

"We have to have seafood! I haven't had shrimp in so long!"

The whispers and muffled laughter mixed together, as though it were a victory celebration waiting to begin.

Maisy Fletcher had also come. She wore a stylish dress and perfect makeup, standing out clearly among the group of elderly people in their plain clothes.

She held her phone, live-streaming and smiling charmingly for the camera.

"Folks, I'm here at the scene right now. You guys see this? All these seniors are here, waiting for the greedy owner to explain herself.

"The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they never stop. Today, we're going to make sure these elderly people get what they deserve!"

Mr. Fletcher, standing next to her, immediately leaned into the camera and waved at the screen with a flushed, excited face.

I pushed open the door and walked into the hall.

In an instant, all the noise stopped, and hundreds of eyes turned to me in unison. Some were filled with curiosity, others with scrutiny, and others with smugness and disdain.

I ignored their stares and walked straight to the small makeshift platform at the front.

There was no microphone, so I raised my voice to address the crowd.

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend today's meeting."

My opening remark drew a low ripple of laughter from the audience.

"First, regarding the video you saw online about the kitchen's food and pricing…"

I directed my gaze directly toward Maisy in the crowd as I spoke. She looked me right in the eye without any fear, even wearing a slight, provocative smile.

"The video mentioned that the kitchen charges a dollar per meal and serves dishes like braised pork ribs and collard greens. All of that is true."

As soon as I finished speaking, the crowd erupted.

"See! She admitted it!"

"It's slop indeed!"

Mr. Fletcher immediately seized the opportunity and loudly questioned, "Ms. Lawson, since you've admitted to it, what do you plan to do? Have you considered our demands?"

Maisy also turned her phone camera toward me and shouted, clearly trying to stir up more trouble, "Everyone, look! The owner is here! Let's see what she has to say!"

In an instant, the comment section started scrolling rapidly.

"Here we go! The big showdown!"

"The owner looks pretty rich. Why is she so stingy?"

"She's probably going to apologize and pay up, right? The public pressure is huge."

As I looked at the twisted faces in the crowd, the last of my sympathy for them completely vanished.

I picked up a document from the table and said, "Regarding your demands for better food, more variety, and extra services—after careful consideration…"

Everyone held their breath and craned their necks. The smiles on Mr. Fletcher's and Maisy's faces showed they thought they had already won.

"I've decided that…"