Warren's smile froze instantly, and the conference room gradually quieted down. Everyone watching this scene wore somewhat strange expressions.
Robert's identity was somewhat special, he had been transferred from the City Lord's Mansion, making him different from the other vice presidents.
However, because of his overly upright personality, he was never liked by President Warren and was effectively sidelined, leaving him in an awkward position within the Catering Association.
"Vice President Robert, although I know you like to visit various restaurants in person, but I don't quite agree with what you're saying. Leaving aside how this restaurant, which has only been open for less than a month, can have such a large customer flow, we just saw the prices of the dishes at these restaurants. The cheapest dish costs 200 copper coins, and the most expensive one even costs 800 copper coins. Even high-end restaurants wouldn't dare to set such prices. Do you think it's reasonable for a small restaurant to set such prices?" The equally obese Tony, sitting next to Warren, looked at Robert with a hint of amusement.
As Warren's right-hand man and also the vice president of the association, he held this uncooperative vice president in low regard.
"Exactly. With such pricing, how could they possibly accumulate so many customers in such a short time without sufficient promotion?" Theodore nodded in agreement. These vice presidents were all promoted by Warren. Over the years, they had lived a life of luxury under Warren's guidance, and occasionally received a substantial bonus. Their lives were quite comfortable.
But in these two years, because Robert was so stubborn, everyone had to restrain themselves a lot, so they all regarded him as a thorn in their side. Now that he had directly contradicted Warren in the meeting, they certainly couldn't tolerate it.
Although Robert came from the City Lord's mansion, but the Catering Association wasn't a powerful organization. He was transferred here to be the vice president, so he certainly doesn't have any say in the City Lord's Mansion.
"That restaurant was able to attract so many customers in less than a month because of its exceptionally delicious food. And I still think the price is reasonable, because I tasted the most expensive dish, Braised Chicken Rice, and the most controversial dish, tofu pudding, at that restaurant that day. The deliciousness of these two dishes surpassed anything I had ever tasted before. For this price, I feel that the food was very good, and I even felt like I got a bargain." Robert replied calmly.
Over the past few days, Restaurant Mai Mi's rankings have been steadily climbing, especially its Braised Chicken Rice, which has risen to 21st place. Today's votes haven't been fully tallied yet, but at this rate, entering the top 20 shouldn't be a problem.
Robert had anticipated that Restaurant Mai Mi's strong rise would cause resentment within the Catering Association, but he hadn't expected these guys to try to remove Restaurant Mai Mi's from the list based on their own subjective assumptions, without any evidence.
This behavior disgusted and angered Robert, but he could only endure it for now, because he was here fighting alone.
Restaurant Mai Mi is an excellent restaurant, and such restaurants should be promoted and respected, becoming a landmark of Aden Square, instead of losing their right to be listed simply because they infringe on the interests of certain individuals.
"I fully approve of and agree with Vice President Robert's decision to personally sample the food, but what you're saying is very subjective and doesn't convince me. I always believe in evidence, and before seeing it for myself, I trust the data and evidence I can see." Warren's already small eyes narrowed to slits as he looked at Robert and shook his head. "It seems that this restaurant does have problems. I don't know why Vice President Robert is so insistent on supporting it."
"President Warren, I think this is a restaurant with great potential, and it may even become the most famous restaurant in Aden Square in the near future. What I said is based on the delicious food I have seen and tasted, and I am not supporting anyone.
But President Warren, you're judging a restaurant's ranking based solely on common sense without any factual basis, and you're even supporting restaurants that are being suppressed by Restaurant Mai Mi. If you insist on removing Restaurant Mai Mi from the list, I will report this matter truthfully to the City Lord and ask him to uphold justice." Robert suddenly stood up and looked at Warren sharply.
Silence fell again in the meeting room. Tony and Theodore also kept quiet. Since the city lord was involved, it was not something they could just interrupt.
"Heh, you don't need to report this to the City Lord. I will report it truthfully myself. If my Catering Association can't accommodate someone as important as you, then please ask the City Lord to find you another place." Warren sneered, his expression icy cold.
"Without the City Lord's order, I would not have left the Catering Association. President Warren, I hope you still remember the promises and guarantees you made when you took over as president from the previous one." Robert turned and walked straight out the door.
"This guy…" Warren looked at Robert's back and suddenly remembered that right here, in front of a few dilapidated tables, an old man with a full head of white hair held his hands, earnestly telling him about the future vision of the Catering Association, and solemnly handing him a bunch of keys, making him the owner of this place. That day he said a lot and made many promises…
"President, now?" Tony interrupted Warren's thoughts and asked softly.
"Naturally, we'll remove that restaurant from the list according to the rules. Tony, you and I will go to that Restaurant Mai Mi tomorrow. Everything needs evidence, so let's go get the evidence." Warren said with a smile, getting up and walking out.
"Okay." Tony nodded quickly.
After everyone left the conference room, a bald, pot-bellied middle-aged man followed Warren into a room next door.
"Stanley, go tell Young Master Cyril that the restaurant will be off the list tomorrow, and it won't be on it again ever since." Warren picked up the wine bottle on the table, poured a glass into a clear crystal glass, swirled the bright red wine in the glass, took a sip, and said with a smile.
"Yes, President." Stanley nodded quickly, turned, and hurried away.
"It's just a small restaurant. In Aden Square, I can make you rich if I want you to, and I can make you close down if I want you to. For a restaurant, nothing is more important than its reputation." Warren took another sip of red wine, watching the wine swirl gently in his glass, and muttered to himself.
…
In Cyril's villa.
"Very good. This matter is now entrusted to Director Stanley and President Warren. I believe that with the impartial protection of the Catering Association, the Food Ranking will only get better and better. I hope our cooperation will become increasingly pleasant. Cheers!" Cyril raised his glass, gesturing to Stanley with a broad smile.
"Young Master Cyril is right. It's been the most pleasant thing to work with you." Stanley quickly raised his glass, smiling obsequiously. He had also profited handsomely this time, making money with a powerful family was easy. Having tasted the sweetness of success, he hoped for more such rebellious restaurants in the future.
…
"I should be able to break into the top twenty on the list today, right?" The next morning, Mai Ge opened his eyes, did a somersault and stood up straight on the ground. He looked at his hands and smiled.