I found an abandoned paint roller and tray beside the garage, realizing someone had deliberately damaged our property three nights in a row. Toby wanted to report everything to the police, but I wanted to understand why anyone would go so far over a neighborhood garden competition. The contest had become surprisingly serious, with some residents treating the prize like a championship trophy.

After reviewing the security footage, I noticed the same person approaching from the same direction and leaving along the same route each night. Although the woman’s face was too blurry to identify, the recordings showed her clothing and movements. I saved the footage and decided not to confront anyone without stronger evidence.

Toby and I photographed the damage, kept the paint tray, and contacted the authorities to report the repeated vandalism. I also began wondering whether our garage was the only target or whether someone had been sabotaging other properties in the neighborhood. Whoever was responsible seemed familiar with the area and knew how to avoid attracting attention.

Despite the damage, I refused to let the incident ruin months of hard work. Our roses were blooming, the hedges were neatly trimmed, and the rest of the garden remained beautiful. As judging day approached, I continued preparing our property for the competition, determined to enjoy our efforts regardless of what happened.

I suspected Kelsie might have been involved, but I knew suspicion alone wasn’t enough to prove anything. I wasn’t willing to accuse someone based on unclear footage. Instead, I decided to rely on the evidence and let the authorities handle the investigation. **If someone wanted to turn a friendly neighborhood competition into a personal battle, I would respond with evidence rather than revenge.**