The next morning, Darnell went to work as usual.
He neither boasted about his involvement in the gunfight nor flaunted Chandler’s three-million-dollar order.
Before securing the deal, he and Casey decided to keep a low profile to prevent Eliezer from secretly sabotaging their efforts.
However, they privately informed Bailee and Shayla about some details to boost their confidence in the future.
Casey saw the news about the gunfight but, seeing Darnell unharmed, assumed he was as lucky as she was to avoid it in time.
Thus, she didn’t delve too deeply into that day’s events and shifted her focus back to work, which was their true battle for survival.
Three days passed quickly. The four of them used all their strength and connections to barely sign a dozen small orders totaling less than a million dollars.
This was far from the ten million they needed. Eliezer saw Phoenix Team’s struggle and mocked them daily, constantly reminding them of the limited time.
If he hadn’t known Darnell was a notorious scoundrel, he might have taken the opportunity to reprimand Phoenix Team’s girls.
He also subtly hinted to Casey and the others that if they sincerely wanted to stay in the company, he could help them through this difficult time.
The three women ignored Eliezer’s advances and worked even harder on their calls, hoping for a miracle.
Darnell remained unfazed. He had confidence and ability. If things got tough, he’d step in himself.
After calling all potential clients without much progress, the three women grew disheartened again, seemingly ready to give up on this assessment.
This time, giving up felt worse because they had tried hard but still achieved nothing.
That noon, Darnell invited the three women to lunch at a diner downstairs. However, they had little appetite and ate listlessly.
Darnell, on the other hand, was cheerful, eating happily as if nothing could go wrong.
As lunch was ending, Casey received a call. Glancing at it, she shivered. “It’s Chandler’s calling.”
She quickly put it on speakerphone and greeted sweetly, “Good afternoon, Mr. Gregg.”
Bailee and Shayla widened their eyes, listening nervously. They knew about the three-million-dollar order.
On the phone, Chandler demanded in an angry voice, “Casey, get Darnell on the phone.”
As Casey trembled slightly, Darnell took the phone with a smile. “Mr. Gregg, how’s the medicine? Ready to sign the order?”
Chandler’s furious voice came through. “Darnell, you bastard! That medicine is useless.”
“I feel worse than before. I’m telling you. You owe me compensation for my physical and mental suffering.”
“Give me ten thousand dollars, and I’ll let it go. Otherwise, I’ll cause trouble at your company and get you fired.”
An extremely shameless threat.
Bailee and Shayla looked worriedly at Darnell. Today was the third day. Casey had informed Bailee and Shayla of Darnell’s bet with Chandler during lunch.
The three women knew Chandler’s character well. He was ruthless. They feared Darnell couldn’t handle him.
Despite Chandler’s threat, Darnell remained unconcerned. He knew Chandler was playing tricks. This guy was as devious as he had imagined.
“Mr. Gregg, are you sure there’s no effect?”
Chandler shouted, “No means no! Don’t I know my own body? I tested it today. It didn’t work at all.”
“It embarrassed me in front of women. They called me useless and pathetic. I’m mentally scarred.”
Chandler gritted his teeth in anger. “Darnell, you bastard! You must be fooling me. Give me ten thousand dollars now.”
In reality, the prescription had restored Chandler’s function. He had tested it with a nurse today for twenty minutes straight.
Not only did it boost his confidence, but it also satisfied the nurse for the first time.
However, Chandler was stingy. He wouldn’t spend money if he could get something for free.
Admitting its effectiveness would mean honoring the three-million-dollar order without any kickbacks, a painful thought for Chandler.
Darnell seemed to have anticipated this response. He smiled noncommittally, “Chandler, is it really ineffective? Are you being honest?”
Chandler retorted firmly, “Your medicine is useless! It messed up my hormones too. Stop talking nonsense and pay up.”
“Chandler, I forgot to tell you. The prescription I gave you is just a sample.”
Darnell leisurely added, “It’s meant to showcase my skills. It’s not a permanent solution.”
“After today, its effects will wear off. If you don’t take my next course of treatment, you’ll revert by tomorrow.”
“No, actually worse than before. Your condition will deteriorate like an addiction. Trust me. I’m a professional.”
Chandler hesitated briefly before scoffing, “Darnell, don’t try to scare me. I’ve seen more than you can imagine.”
He held onto the prescription from three days ago as his trump card and didn’t believe Darnell’s bluffing.
He planned to take another dose tonight to expose Darnell’s lies.
Seeing through his thoughts, Darnell said, “Don’t bother taking more of that prescription. It’s already done its job.”
“If you don’t believe me, see for yourself after tonight.”
Darnell firmly added, “Also, be at my office by nine tomorrow with your signed order, or don’t come at all.”
Chandler barked, “Don’t try to fool me. Do you think I’ll believe that?”
“This medicine works today but not tomorrow? Do you think I’m that gullible?”
“And don’t think you can avoid compensating me, I know where your company is and will demand justice there.”
Darnell simply replied, “Goodbye.”
With that, he hung up and immediately turned off his phone. “Casey, keep your phone off until nine tomorrow morning.”
Casey nodded repeatedly. “Mr. Halford, I’ll follow your instructions.”
Bailee grinned at Darnell. “Mr. Halford, does that prescription really work? Can you prescribe some for my boyfriend if needed?”
The sweet scent from Bailee was particularly enticing.
Darnell enjoyed her fragrance and joked, “A boyfriend who needs medicine? Just kick him out. If you need someone reliable, call me anytime.”
Bailee stuck out her tongue playfully. “Casey and Shayla will finish you off first. Adding me would leave nothing of you.”
Their busy days had lightened Bailee’s mood significantly.
Time passed silently but etched deeply into their hearts.
Darnell laughed loudly as he dodged their playful attacks: “Cut me some slack. I need to witness our triumphant moment tomorrow.”
He knew tomorrow would mark the beginning of their rebirth like a phoenix rising from the ashes.