Extraordinary Mistakes II - Blood Ties

A natural catastrophe

Silence fills the hotel room. Edward keeps pacing around and everyone else, including the advisors, watch him. No one wants to break the ice and say the wrong thing.

He takes his seat, and his advisor immediately takes the one behind him. One by one, the members sit and one hour later the president arrives.

"Everyone," Edward looks at his watch, "time was once on our side, but now, after the latest developments, it isn't any more. Isn't it ironic how fast things change when we want them to remain the same?"

What is it with all this flowery speech, Edward? Are you on a verge of a breakdown, finally? Marianne looks at her wristwatch too.

"Laurence, Jessica, I hope you are keeping Eurasia's questions about the bracelet as far away from us as possible!" Edward says.

"We have manufactured the medical records of the students that have gone to the hospital. The cause is no longer aneurysms." Laurence explains.

"Every post mentioning headache and brain damage in connection to the bracelet has been removed!" Jessica smiles.

"Good. Now that the Congress has decided to debate the nationwide mandatory bracelet. Let's keep anything harmful away."

"We could improve the bracelet." Saif says.

Edward taps his fingers on the table, making an audible noise that cuts through the silence.

"We don't have time or money to waste on it. Moving on, Jessica, our number one, Jade Harris, was supposed to have a speech yesterday. One that you were extremely proud of. Where is it?"

"Sir, I'm having a hard time dealing with Ms. Harris. She hasn't been cooperative ever since the attacks on the students."

"Madeleine... care to join the conversation?" Edward faces her while she's holding a mirror, looking at her wrinkles.

"I'm sorry, what are you talking about...?" she closes the mirror.

"That Jade Harris had a speech that was supposed to be aired yesterday and Jessica is saying that she hasn't been cooperative."

"She's really traumatized, poor girl." Madeleine hands the mirror to her advisor and continues, "Emily and her were a thing. For years I think, and she thinks the girl is being tortured! That's not good for her mental health!"

"Madeleine."

"Also, the students were beaten. Some won't make it, probably. I mean, the girl is having a hard time. It's okay, she'll do the speech some other time."

"Madeleine... Laurence ran the numbers, it's important to keep a momentum. Jade's speech yesterday was important. I said," he picks up the glass of water and drinks it, "that her speech was yesterday. It's up to Jessica, and more than her, it's up to you to make sure the girl goes through."

"Sure, Edward. What am I supposed to do?" Madeleine rolls her eyes. "Grab her by the arm? Point my gun to her head and force her?"

"If you are incapable of dealing with her, then we'll find a solution that doesn't involve you."

"Incapable? Me? I'm a winner, Edward. I'll talk to the girl. I'm sure she just needs the right motivation, and that comes from a place of understanding, not violence."

"She'll say the speech tomorrow, Madeleine. Is that understood?" Edward's stark tone ends the discussion.

Madeleine nods and looks at Jessica Miller.

"Now, we have a problem, don't we, Thomas?"

"As I have informed everyone, the Parker's Foundation lost its entire capital. It's gone. Stolen. For safety reasons, they decided they won't hand the Institute any more money in the meantime."