THE BLACKLIST SYSTEM: REBIRTH OF NOAH VALE

CHAPTER 2: NO PLACE LEFT TO STAND

“We regret to inform you that we will not be moving forward.”

Noah stared at the screen, the words blurring as the page refreshed on its own. He tapped reload, as if the message might change its mind.

“Try again,” he murmured.

Another notification slid down.

“Application closed.”

He laughed once,in disbelief. He picked up his phone and scrolled through his sent applications. He had sent about twenty three in the last two days. He tapped on the most recent one.

Status: Closed.

He opened another.

Status: Withdrawn by employer.

“That’s not possible,” he said out loud.

His phone rang.

“Yes,” Noah answered immediately.

“This is Clara from WestBridge Solutions,” the woman said. Her tone was professional, distant. “I am calling regarding your interview scheduled for tomorrow.”

“Yes,” Noah said again, sitting up straighter.

“We will be canceling….”

“Canceling?” he repeated. “I..I already passed the first two rounds.”

“There has been a development.”

“What kind of development?”

A pause. “Your profile raised concerns during background verification.”

“What concerns?” Noah asked.

“I am not authorized to disclose details.”

“I can explain whatever it is,” Noah said quickly. “There’s been a big mistake.”

“I’m really sorry,” Clara said. “We wish you the best.”

The line went dead.

Noah lowered the phone slowly. He turned on his laptop and typed his own name into the search bar.

The first result made his stomach drop.

Former Tech Employee Investigated for Internal Fraud.

He clicked on it.

“This is a lie ... .please...it can't be true ... .my life can't be over just like that ,” he whispered, his hands on his head.

The article quoted anonymous sources. It mentioned ongoing investigations. It used words like alleged and suspected, painting him as a criminal in every line.

A comment section loaded beneath it.

He scrolled.

“Another thief caught.”

“They should lock him up for life.”

“ Lock him up. These corporate thieves always get away with it.”

“I always knew something was off about him.”

Noah slammed the laptop shut.

His phone buzzed again.

He looked at the name.

Mark.

“Mark,” Noah said, standing up as he answered. “You have to tell them the truth. Please…you know I didn’t do any of these things they're accusing me of. I would never...”

There was silence on the other end.

“Mark?” Noah said.

“I can’t talk about this,” Mark replied finally.

“You were there,” Noah said. “You signed off on the access pool. You know everyone used it.”

“I don’t remember it that way.”

Noah felt the room tilt. “What!...”

“The investigation is really serious,” Mark continued. “They asked me questions. I answered.”

“You lied against me?” Noah said,his hands trembling.

“I just protected myself,” Mark said quietly.

The call ended.

Noah threw the phone onto the couch. It bounced once and fell to the floor.

He paced his entire living room. The walls felt closer than before. He stopped at his desk and opened a drawer, pulling out printed resumes and notes. He spread them out, as if physical copies might matter more.

His phone rang again.

He didn’t recognize the number. He didn't recognise any of the numbers anymore

He answered without talking.

“This is the legal department representing your former employer,” a man said. “You are advised to cease contact with current staff.”

“I….I just need access to my files,” Noah said. “I need proof of what actually...”

“You no longer have the right.”

“What about my personal data?” Noah asked.

“It's under review.”

“For how long?”

“That depends on your cooperation.”

“Cooperation with what exactly?” Noah argued.

“Compliance,” the man said. “You should consider legal counsel.”

“I can’t….I cannot afford a lawyer,” Noah admitted.

“Well….that is unfortunate.”

The line went dead.

Noah sank into his chair. His laptop notification chimed softly. A new message arrived.

From: Human Resources.

Subject: Access Revocation Confirmation.

He opened it.

“Effective immediately, all internal records associated with your employment have been archived.”

Archived. The word felt final.

Another message arrived seconds later.

From: Credit Services.

“Your account has been flagged for review.”

“ What!!... not this too…..please…” Noah whispered, desperate.

Noah picked up his phone again and dialed.

“Hello,” a woman answered.

“My credit card just got flagged,” Noah said. “There must be a mistake.”

“There has been some unusual activities,” she replied.

“But…I haven’t used it at all,” Noah said. “I’ve been at home.”

“Our system indicates elevated risk.”

“What risk?”

She hesitated. “Your name appears on a compliance notice.”

“Notice?...how?” Noah asked.

“I cannot elaborate,” she said. “Your account is temporarily frozen.”

Noah closed his eyes, tears dripping from his eyes. “How on earth am I supposed to pay rent?”

“I’m sorry,” she said, and ended the call.

He sat there, unmoving, until his phone buzzed again.

A message from an unknown number.

“We need to talk.”

Noah’s chest tightened. He typed back.

“Who is this?”

The reply came quickly.

“You know who this is.”

“Thank goodness..” He breathed a sigh of relief.

It was his girlfriend,Martha. He had not set eyes on her for the past three days. He had also been calling…all to no avail.

“ She should be able to help me.” He muttered in relief.

His fingers hovered over the screen.

“Where are you?” he typed.

No response.

Minutes passed.

His phone rang.

“Where are you?” Noah asked the moment he answered.

“You shouldn’t be contacting me,” she said. Her voice was flat, unfamiliar.

Noah was shocked.

“What is all this? Did you do this?” Noah asked. “ Did you use my account?”

“I didn’t,” she said.

“No one else had access,Martha. ” Noah said.

“You gave me the password,” she replied.

“For work,” Noah said. “Not for this.”

“I was scared,” she admitted. “They told me I would be implicated.”

“So you let them pin it on me,” Noah said.

“They already decided,” she said. “I just made sure I wasn’t dragged down with you.”

“You disappeared, babe,” Noah complained. “You didn’t even answer my calls. My world was crumbling right before me.”

“They told me not to,” she said.

“Who are they?” Noah asked.

Silence.

“Please,” Noah said. “Just tell me.”

“I can’t,” she replied. “You should stop fighting this.”

The call ended.

Noah stared at the phone, his hand trembling.

He felt so betrayed. Three years, they've been together. She had helped pick the apartment. He had thought they were in love.The ring he bought two weeks ago was still locked up in his desk drawer. He was going to propose to her on her birthday next month. Was it all a lie?

Hot tears dripped down his cheeks.

He opened his laptop again and typed his name into another job portal.

Before he could even submit the application, a red notification appeared.

“You are not eligible to apply for positions at this time.”

He slammed the laptop shut again.

A knock sounded at the door.

Noah froze.

Another knock. Louder.

He stood slowly and opened the door.

A man in a suit stood outside, holding a folder.

“Mr. Vale,” the man said. “I’m here to serve notice.”

“Notice? .....of what?” Noah asked.

“Civil litigation,” the man replied. “Your former employer is seeking damages.”

“For what?” Noah asked, voice shaking.

“Breach of trust,” the man said, handing over the papers.

Noah took them with numb fingers.

The man turned and left.

Noah closed the door and slid down until he was sitting on the floor. Papers were scattered all around him. Words blurred before his eyes.

"You are required to pay the sum of five million dollars as compensation or face jail time."

He laughed again, quietly this time.

“There’s nothing left,” he said to the empty room.

He stared at the papers again.

Five million dollars?He made $72,000 a year. Made. Past tense.

His phone buzzed one last time.

A message from an unknown number.

“This is bigger than you'll ever think.”

Noah stared at the screen, heart pounding.