15 Deadline

Lights from the cameras in front flashed intermittently as I signed the contract with the executives of Regal which finally cemented the collaboration between the two companies. After signing everything, everyone stood up and I faced Mr. Lee so I could shake his hands. We both looked at the cameras with a smile signalling a happy cooperation.

I sighed mentally in relief.

Verbal promises were reassuring but nothing beats ironclad contracts. This would also give me time to focus all my energy on the current issue. I need to resolve it before I move on to another project. It's true that it was an opportunity to get rid of pests but if it was handled incorrectly then it can also cause a lot of trouble to me, not to mention the repercussions it would create after.

I glanced surreptitiously at my watch and saw that there was still 7 hours before the day ends. I surveyed the venue and looked at the executives of the company who attended. They were all smiling at the moment but Bert at the corner had a dark expression on his face. My lips curved up higher at the sight.

My gaze unwittingly flitted over to where Ethan was sitting beside Heather. It looked like he was nodding to something Heather was talking about. I don't know why but somehow he looked bored out of his mind to me. His mouth was upturned to a lazy smile and his dark eyes reflected interest enough to not offend whoever he was talking to but I knew better. I was still staring when he suddenly turned and our eyes met from across the room.

His previously disinterested countenance morphed into amusement with a full-fledged grin. I raised one of my eyebrows as if I wasn't caught staring. It's not like I did something wrong. I wasn't about to avoid it but I heard someone calling my name so I had to break the stare.

"Miranda, I'm looking forward to our collaboration," Mr. Lee told me with an excited smile. His usually strict features were relaxed right now.

"Likewise, thank you very much for trusting us. We might not be like the others who have years of experience on this side of the industry but we definitely did our homework and would do our best," I promised sincerely.

He waved his hands then said, "Don't be too modest. I've heard a lot of good things about your company. Aside from my initial review of your fabrics for the preliminary, this time it's the higher-ups' decision to choose your company. Keep up the great work."

We talked a bit more before he had to go for another appointment so I sent him off along with the other executives.

His words before made me ponder for a few minutes while watching their vehicle go. We didn't know anyone else from Regal who can be a go between except for Mr. Lee so we just approached them straightforwardly with a proposal. I wonder what made them decide to choose our fabrics. I'm confident with our products but the competition was still fierce. A direct recommendation from someone higher than Mr. Lee would give us even more of an edge.

I snapped out of it and turned around to face the others, "Good job everyone. Go back to your work and start the production phase for Regal."

I was walking back to my office with Ethan and Heather when my phone rang, signaling a call. I gestured for them to go ahead first.

"Hey. Sorry, I didn't call until now. I've been suffering from a hangover. That party I went to lasted 3 days and I've been dead to the world since yesterday," Quinn miserably muttered.

"It's fin-"

"You don't have to yell," she cut me off immediately.

"What are you saying? I'm speaking normally," I puzzledly replied.

"Oh. It must be the migraine. Gosh, I swear it's killing me. Anyways, I just saw the articles. You want to know where the information came from?" she groaned miserably.

"I already knew so don't worry about it but I do need help with something soon," I said after a beat. My mind was racing with plans already but it would have to wait until this day ends.

"Shoot," she quipped immediately.

"Take a rest first. I'll call you about it once I get all the details down."

"Okay then. I'm going to crawl back to bed. See you soon," Quinn replied and ended the call after.

The sound of the tapping of the keyboard echoed in the room as I worked on an email in the laptop. I glanced at the clock and waited 5 minutes more for midnight to arrive. Soon enough, the beeping of the alarm I set sounded out.

"As expected, they are underestimating me. Let's see how they counter this then," I uttered with a smile that was born from cynicism.

I finally clicked the send button on the email that I've been working on for quite a while.

"One down."

During the afternoon the next day, I was having a late lunch with the ladies after another committee meeting when my phone vibrated in my pocket.

"Excuse me," I said before putting down my utensils to pick it up.

"Yes, Parker?"

"What have you done?!" He yelled through my phone so I brought it far from my ear with a frown. The others looked on with interest at my actions.

"Me?" I replied casually after making sure that there was no more outburst so I put back my phone in my ear.

"Don't play innocent. I'm sure that this has something to do with you," he blamed me furiously.

"I'm that great in your eyes? Wasn't I unsuitable for the business?" I asked with a light voice while examining my nails calmly.

"I have no time to play games with you. What did you say to my clients?!"

"Are you bleeding out clients? It's all nothing that you don't deserve. How about you try to stay at home and just take care of your family?" I whispered in delight, throwing back his words at him.

"Oh! Am I finally getting a glimpse of the Tyrant?" Elaine giggled delightedly upon hearing my words.

Lila put a finger in front of her lips to tell her to be quiet.

"I'll give out the information," Parker said through gritted teeth.

"Too late. You already picked a side. All you can do is live with your choice," I mercilessly shot him down.

"Miranda, you're going too fa-"

I ended the call and immediately blocked his number. I noticed the notification for a newsletter from The Book Club that I received this morning but haven't read yet so I clicked it.

Blacklist Notice for the Members

•Parker&Co

Sufficient grounds for blacklist provided by Miranda North of North Industry. Further confidential information attached for your review. Please take action immediately, members.

A.M.

Blacklist Committee Member

"I'm surprised that it got approved immediately and it's already taking effect. Been a while since we got a company for blacklisting," Lila commented while sipping tea.

"Miranda must've got a compelling case so they pushed it already," Quinn said, looking bright today unlike what her voice projected yesterday.

"Of course. An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth," I told them without batting an eyelid while my mind was on the blacklist.

I had experience of being part of the members who blacklisted companies before as ordered by the club but it was my first time requesting one. I witnessed the crumbling of a company overnight but it doesn't mean that it ceased to be amazing to me especially when I'm directly connected to it this time. It felt like I wasn't alone in this fight unlike before.

Blacklisting of the company for the members meant immediate disassociation in any form.

The moment we joined the club it was part of the agreement we signed. The Blacklist was only powerful because it was a collective effort from all the members. Aside from that, some members go out of their way to influence other companies that they have close relations with. It was a huge network so it wasn't surprising that Parker&Co was in trouble now.

At the same time, it wasn't an irrational system, evidence must be submitted and the Blacklisting Committee will inspect it before approving to make sure that it was fair and sound according to the requirements. It can also be questioned and the committee will deliberate over it and make sure to provide the reason if the decision was changed or retained. I've been a member for a few years now and I've never seen any unfair calls yet.

With this move, it was now time to start cleaning filth.