A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 109

But her troubles were far from over. Before she could even begin to strategize about the lost project, another call came from overseas. Clyde glanced at the caller ID, and his face turned pale.

Noticing his expression, Harriet frowned. "What is it now?"

"It's… it's the customs office in Yoran Country."

A call from the primary customs office in Yoran Country could only mean trouble with their exports. Harriet's face darkened further. She had always made sure to keep the right people happy over there, so a direct call like this was highly unusual. A terrible premonition began to creep over her.

"Answer it," she told Clyde, her voice tight. There was no avoiding it now.

Clyde nodded and answered the phone, putting it on speaker for Harriet to hear. He began conversing with the person on the other end in fluent Yoranian. As the call progressed, his expression grew increasingly grave.

Watching him, Harriet's heart pounded in her chest.

After what felt like an eternity, but was likely only twenty minutes, Clyde hung up, his face grim. "Well? What did they say?" Harriet asked urgently.

"That was a call from the main customs administration in Yoran Country," Clyde reported.

"And?" The main administration? Her worst fears began to solidify. She stared at Clyde, unable to voice the possibilities swirling in her mind.

Clyde's face was ashen. "They said that all of our exports are now banned from entering Yoran Country."

"What?" The words hit Harriet like a physical blow. "How is that possible? On what grounds?"

Lying in her hospital bed, Harriet listened to the one-sided conversations, a growing sense of dread washing over her.

After Clyde had taken nearly thirty calls, she looked at him, her face a pale, rigid mask. "They're all threatening to sue?"

She had heard every word on speakerphone. First the call from customs, and now, mere moments later, a coordinated barrage of threats from their partners. They couldn't have gotten the news that quickly unless someone was behind the scenes, pulling the strings. This wasn't just a setback; it was a deliberate, calculated attack.

Clyde nodded, his own expression grim. "Yes. They all said that if we can't deliver according to the contract, they'll demand compensation for the breach."

The amounts would be astronomical!