“They’re stalling. Again.”

Reo doesn’t look up. His fingers tap restlessly on the thick walnut table that's cluttered with contract drafts and flagged reports. The conference room is silent except for the sound of a slow-turning ceiling fan and Blair’s stilettos clicking as she strides forward.

“They’re not just stalling,” Leo cuts in. “They’re threatening to delay the entire Southeast Asia export deal unless we agree to their new repatriation clause.”

“Their clause violates the customs union rule in Singapore,” Reo says without blinking. “Which means they want us to commit fraud on paper.”

“That, or they think we’re dumb enough not to notice.” Leo shifts in his chair.

Across...