Chapter 11

"Take a look at this, man." He shoved his phone right in front of me.

On the screen was an industry blacklist. My photo and name were glaringly displayed, labeled with: "Uncooperative, poor team player, envious, morally questionable."

I stared at the screen, my fingers tightening unconsciously. I didn’t need to guess who was behind this.

"Damn, that’s just low!" my boss cursed. "I’ll get this taken down right now."

With a few taps, he deleted it and clapped me on the shoulder. "Don’t take it to heart. Everyone in the industry knows the truth."

I forced a smile, but a weight settled in my chest.

The blacklist was meant to serve a good purpose. But when weaponized like this, ordinary people had no chance to defend themselves. How many innocent people had been crushed under this kind of slander?

"Hey, stop zoning out!" A drunken friend slung an arm around me. "Keep drinking!"

By the time the gathering ended, the night was deep. I stood outside the hotel waiting for my driver, the cold wind sobering me up slightly.

"Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Gallagher?"

The familiar voice made me stiffen. I turned to see Ethan Winslow with his arm around Vivian Lancaster’s waist, their bodies practically glued together.

Ethan leaned in close to Vivian’s ear, deliberately loud enough for me to hear. "Ms. Lancaster, you don’t think Mr. Gallagher came here looking for you, do you?"

He pretended to walk away, but Vivian yanked him back, pressing herself against him.

"Why leave?" She shot me a challenging look. "I thought someone had principles. Regretting things now?"

I met their gaze coldly. "Just a business dinner."

Vivian scoffed, tracing circles on Ethan’s chest. "Too late. You only get one chance."

She tilted her head up at Ethan, pouting. "Let’s go. No point wasting time on irrelevant people."

Ethan smirked at me triumphantly before strutting off with Vivian in his arms.

The night wind grew even colder.