Adultery allegations: Abigail Williams, Parris's niece, accuses Proctor's wife, Elizabeth, of witchcraft after Elizabeth catches them having an affair. Abigail's false statements further deepen the animosity between Proctors and Parris.
These conflicts create deep-seated distrust, animosity, and resentment between Parris and Proctor, impacting the broader course of events in The Crucible.