The market was calm — too calm.
For three days, business ran like clockwork. Deliveries came on time, shelves stayed full, and customers returned with smiles.
But Ashburn had learned that calm waters often hid sharp rocks.
He was checking invoices behind the counter when Sami walked in, humming.
"Bro, it's been three peaceful days," he said, pouring himself tea. "Maybe the drama's over."
Ashburn didn't even look up. "In this market? Peace lasts about as long as your tea stays hot."
"Hey," Sami protested. "That was philosophical."
"It was reality," Ashburn replied.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
The supplier's name flashed on screen.
"Finally," Ashburn said, answering. "Yes, is the truck on its way?"
A pause. Then the voice on the other end said, "Sir, your representative called this morning and canceled the order. Said you'll pick up later next week."
Ashburn froze.
"My representative?" he repeated slowly. "Name?"
"Didn't say. Just said, 'from Khan General Store.' Same number as last time, except one digit different."
The line went silent for a second.
Then Ashburn said softly, "Understood. Thank you. Please don't dispatch anything till I confirm."
He hung up and leaned back, exhaling through his nose.
"Someone just canceled our supply using my name."
Sami nearly dropped his cup. "WHAT?!"
"Fake identity," Ashburn said calmly. "They spoofed my number and used our name. That's a new level."
Sami looked furious. "It's Naeem, isn't it? That rat's learning tricks now."
Ashburn didn't answer. He was already thinking three steps ahead.
---
By noon, the rumor mill was spinning again.
Shopkeepers whispered behind counters; customers exchanged glances.
> "Heard his supply got canceled again."
"Maybe his business isn't as clean as he says."
"You know Naeem? He said someone important is backing him now — one of the city wholesalers."
Ashburn caught fragments of those conversations as he walked through the lane.
The last line made him pause.
A backer, huh? So the game's getting serious.
He ducked into a nearby tea stall, sat down, and listened quietly.
A tall shopkeeper leaned toward another. "Naeem said it himself. He's not afraid anymore. Some Malik from Bahawal Distribution has his back. Big name. Supplies half the city."
The other man whistled. "That's dangerous for Ashburn. If Malik's involved, one word from him can block suppliers."
Ashburn stirred his tea slowly. "Good to know," he murmured under his breath.
---
That evening, as they were closing up, Sami said, "So what now? Want me to post another response online?"
"No," Ashburn said. "We're not wasting energy on noise. We'll respond where it matters — in profit."
Sami blinked. "Meaning?"
Ashburn grinned faintly. "Meaning, we'll restock tomorrow morning before anyone else even wakes up."
---
At dawn, he and Sami drove straight to a smaller, lesser-known distributor on the edge of the city — one Ashburn had quietly marked in his notes weeks ago.
The warehouse was half the size of Malik's, but the owner, Mr. Basit, was straightforward.
"You want 40 boxes?" Basit asked, flipping through papers. "I can give at wholesale, no middlemen. I'll even arrange delivery today."
Ashburn smiled. "Deal. Cash on receipt."
As they finalized the papers, Basit frowned. "You from Khan General Store? Heard some ugly rumors going around. Don't let them get to you. This market tests everyone."
Ashburn nodded. "That's the plan — to pass every test."
By afternoon, his shop was stocked again, looking fresher than ever.
Sami admired the shelves. "Bro, you're like a magician. Empty yesterday, full today."
Ashburn chuckled. "No magic. Just not depending on snakes with backers."
---
Of course, Naeem couldn't stay quiet.
By evening, he marched into Khan General Store, his oily smile already plastered on.
Behind him stood two men — one heavyset, one thin — clearly trying too hard to look intimidating.
"Brother Ashburn," Naeem said loudly, so half the street could hear. "I hear you're accusing me again. This time of fake calls? Canceling orders? That's defamation, you know."
Ashburn looked up from the counter, expression calm. "Is it?"
"Of course!" Naeem continued, pretending to laugh. "You should be careful, brother. My… friends don't like baseless accusations."
His two "friends" crossed their arms dramatically.
Sami snorted. "What is this, a drama audition?"
Naeem ignored him. "In fact," he went on, lowering his tone, "I could make one call to Bahawal Market. Malik sahib himself would—"
"Ah, Malik," Ashburn interrupted smoothly. "You mean the one who threatened other suppliers for you?"
Naeem's grin faltered. "Watch your words."
Ashburn stood slowly, eyes meeting his. "I do. Every single one."
The silence stretched. The two goons shifted awkwardly.
Then Ashburn added casually, "You should've told your men to stop harassing delivery trucks. I installed cameras. Want to see the footage?"
Naeem blinked. "You—what?"
Ashburn pulled out his phone, tapped a video. The faint footage showed a truck parked by the roadside — and two men trying to "inspect" boxes without permission. Their faces were half-covered, but one of them clearly had a scar.
Sami leaned in, smirking. "Ring any bells, Scarface?"
Naeem's expression twisted. "That's not—this is fake—!"
"Oh?" Ashburn tilted his head. "You can explain that to the market committee. Or the police. Whichever you prefer."
The two men behind Naeem looked at each other nervously.
Ashburn smiled faintly. "Next time you come here, bring receipts instead of threats."
The line landed like a slap.
And from the look on Naeem's face, it felt like one too.
He spun around, muttering curses, and stomped out. His so-called "backers" followed silently, heads lowered.
---
By the next morning, the gossip tide had turned.
> "Did you hear? Naeem tried to mess with Ashburn again — and got caught on camera!"
"Police might look into him now."
"That Khan boy's sharper than he looks."
Customers flooded the store again, some out of curiosity, others out of newfound respect.
Even old Mr. Fayyaz stopped by, cane tapping with less arrogance this time.
"Good work, beta," he said approvingly. "You handled things with maturity."
Ashburn smiled politely. "Just doing what's right, sir."
Sami muttered, "You mean doing it better than everyone else."
Fayyaz chuckled. "Careful, boy. Pride comes before a sale."
After he left, Sami whispered, "He definitely wants a free detergent sample again."
Ashburn laughed quietly. "Give him one. Consider it public relations."
---
That night, as the market quieted and lights dimmed, Ashburn sat on the roof again, ledger in hand.
He opened it idly, expecting silence — but the familiar golden glow flickered faintly.
> [Evaluation milestone achieved.]
Title: "Integrity Under Pressure."
Bonus: +12 Evaluation Points.
He smiled to himself. "Not bad for a small-town shopkeeper."
Just then, his phone buzzed again — the same unknown number as before.
He stared at it for a moment before opening the message.
> "You embarrassed a small fish. Let's see how you handle sharks."
— M.
Sami's voice echoed faintly from below, "Bro! Tea's ready!"
Ashburn pocketed the phone, eyes glinting.
"Sharks, huh?" he murmured. "Then it's time to learn how to swim deeper."
The city lights shimmered in the distance — bright, alive, and full of hidden currents.
And Ashburn, for the first time, felt ready to dive straight into them.