Chapter 72: Let Me Be a Traitor? (5000 words) (Page 1/2)
"Installments? I hadn't considered that."
David carried the briefcase to the front desk, and under Charon's curious gaze, he unzipped it.
Under the illumination of the lobby's chandelier, the shimmering golden light instantly attracted everyone's attention.
The brilliance emanating from a stack of 300 gold coins was simply breathtaking.
This was 300 gold coins!
Who would be stupid enough to carry 300 gold coins with them? Weren't they afraid of dying on the spot as soon as they left the Continental Hotel?
Because for many assassins, this was the savings they could only accumulate after completing 300 contracts and getting out unscathed.
Just this condition alone could filter out most assassins.
If this weren't the Continental Hotel, with the rule of no business on Continental grounds, everyone in the lobby would probably have made a move by now.
People die for wealth—it wasn't just a saying.
These three hundred gold coins were enough for them to successfully retire.
But now, these three hundred gold coins were clearly not meant for them.
"Who is this kid? He's too young, right? I don't believe someone his age could have 300 spare gold coins."
"That's true, but I heard that a physician who had been working at the Continental Hotel for about three years recently died.
If the gold coins he left behind hadn't been spent much, I estimate it would be around this amount."
"Hey, that looks like a case of thieves falling out. Anyone want to go and check him out with me?"
"Check him out? Heh, I heard this kid was vouched for by the Baba Yaga himself.
If you don't want to be hunted by John Wick, I advise you to give up that idea as soon as possible."
"Baba Yaga? John Wick?"
The restless assassins immediately dismissed all thoughts upon hearing that name.
Are you kidding? The name of the Baba Yaga was legendary throughout the entire underworld.
Even though it was rumored that John had retired, no one would doubt that this boogeyman, who could kill three people with just a pencil, wouldn't be able to handle a gun anymore.
A 100% contract completion rate was simply the most miraculous myth in the industry!
Getting involved with him had only two outcomes: death, or your own death!
So almost all assassins who knew this information had a consensus: it wasn't worth crossing John Wick because of David!
Furthermore, after handing over these three hundred gold coins, it was unknown how many more this newcomer David still had on him.
Charon was also startled when he saw the number of gold coins in the case in front of him.
He then reacted and scanned the assassins chatting on the lobby sofas with his keen eyes.
The warning in his gaze was self-evident. After the assassins had all withdrawn their attention, he closed the case filled with three hundred gold coins and placed it beside him, then said to David:
"Very bold, kid. Flashing your wealth here isn't a good choice."
David said calmly:
"No, everyone knows Pete is dead. I'm just avoiding trouble."
A trace of a smile appeared on Charon's tense face.
This David was truly a clever young man.
David was right—the news of Pete's death had gradually spread.
Those with ulterior motives would naturally try to find the gold coins Pete left behind.
David's high-profile display of three hundred gold coins was equivalent to telling everyone that he had not only taken Pete's gold coins but also used them.
And another piece of information was also conveyed through David's actions.
That was, originally, only a few people might have known that David was vouched for by John.
But now it was information known to everyone.
As long as John didn't die, David, who was leveraging John's reputation, could avoid a lot of trouble.
The only ones who wouldn't care about John's existence were probably those who had just entered the business, like newborn calves.
Newcomers always tried to challenge the declining legend, attempting to replace him.
Little did they know, this was the fastest way to court death.
"Alright, since it's the full amount, I have no other questions.
The equipment you need will be delivered as soon as possible."
David nodded and walked into the elevator amidst the whispers of the assassins.
Tonight's planned goals were all completed—it was time to go back and get a good night's sleep.
The effect of the targeted therapy was weakening, and he didn't have much time left for peaceful sleep.
The next day, when David woke up, he immediately felt his thoughts turning much slower.
David shook his head, shaking off the foggy drowsiness, then got up and washed.
While brushing his teeth, David also sorted out his current assets and made a brief plan for the future.
He now had 108 days and 23 hours of lifespan, 52 gold coins, two bulletproof suits, a suppressed Glock, one dose of Byron Pharmaceuticals' targeted therapy, and twenty thousand US dollars in cash given by Finch.
Theoretically, it seemed quite sufficient.
After all, as long as David was a doctor, he could achieve a perfect balance of life.
But in reality, the disease in his brain was currently incurable by medicine, and living and living well were two different concepts.
The effect of the targeted therapy would also gradually diminish as the cancer cells quickly adapted.
In other words, if David wanted to completely solve the brain tumor problem, he would at least need to live long enough for technological and medical advancement before he could completely get rid of the tumor's influence.
And to live long enough, this 108 days of lifespan was not enough.
He still had to save people, save enough people!
If he wanted to save people, then completing the hidden mission he triggered was obviously the way to get the most lifespan.
And David also had some ideas about the 0/2 progress that had been stagnant for so long.
Perhaps this was related to the HR operatives hidden among law enforcement.
Although the people on the Tarasov organization's payroll had all been eliminated,
But who could guarantee that the records in Pushkin's hands were the complete ones?
David hadn't heard of any large-scale death incidents in the police department recently from Finch.
This indicated that the HR operatives were still alive and well, and David didn't believe for a second that these corrupt cops had no connection to the High Table.
Thinking of this, he took out his phone and revealed information related to the HR to Finch, giving him a few key names.
Then he asked him to temporarily put aside the tracking of Elias and instead conduct a deep investigation into the HR.
The reason he used was, of course, that this could save more people.
After doing all this, David finally set off for work.
As soon as he entered the hospital entrance, he saw the obese Edward staring directly at his left foot that had just stepped inside.
David, who noticed Edward's gaze, was immediately taken aback.
This Edward wouldn't be so ridiculous as to fire him because his left foot stepped through the door first, would he?
Fortunately, it wasn't that ridiculous. Edward just walked up to David with a poker face and said:
"To be honest, I'm considering downsizing, and the diagnostics department is my primary target.
If you need this job, I think reporting on others will be helpful to you.
So if you know of any improper operations by certain people, you can tell me.
I can guarantee that you won't be let go in this round.
Now, do you have anything you want to tell me?"
After speaking, a hint of smugness flashed in Edward's eyes.
He deliberately asked David this question in front of the doctors who were coming and going.
This way, all the doctors would know that he had talked to David, and some sharp-eared doctors would even hear him asking David to report on improper operations.
Then these words would spread throughout the entire hospital.
Everyone would know that he was going to make a move on the diagnostics department, including Dr. House, the head of diagnostics.
Then, after he put pressure on the diagnostics department by using some improper operations from past medical records, House would definitely suspect that there was a mole among his subordinates.
So what David answered was not important at all—what was important was whether House would still trust this subordinate with whom he had had a 'close' conversation?
A divided diagnostics department was truly the scene he was looking forward to.
As long as David was the spark, he had reason to believe that Chase and Cameron would learn from David's snitching operation in order to keep their jobs.
Then the resistance to his desire to disband the diagnostics department would be much smaller.
Thinking of his brilliant plan, Edward's face couldn't help but show a hint of satisfaction.
He understood that the current David was like mud smeared on his pants—impossible to wash clean.
David was, of course, aware of Edward's transparent scheme.
It was just that Edward probably didn't know that he and House had a common little secret.
So House would believe that Chase betrayed him, he would believe that Cameron betrayed him, but he would never believe that David betrayed him.
"Sorry, our diagnostics department is clean and has no secrets, and it's already working hours.
I think the Chairman, who values efficiency, wouldn't mind letting me go see a patient in the emergency department first, would he?"
Hearing David's deliberately loud words, Edward sneered.
Do you think others will believe you if you speak loudly? How naive.
"I understand, I understand, House currently holds the power of life and death over your residency evaluation.
Alright then, we'll talk on the phone later, okay, you go get busy."
Edward put on a hypocritical smile and lightly patted David's shoulder with his broad hand, like a bear's paw.
Then, slightly out of breath, he stepped out of the hospital lobby.
David shook his head at the whispered gossip of the nurses in the lobby and was about to go to the emergency department when police sirens sounded outside the hospital entrance.
Soon, several plainclothes FBI agents with guns on their belts pushed a man lying on a gurney into the hospital.
"Where is Dr. House? Where is Dr. House?
Come see him! He's completely unconscious."
David, who happened to be by the door, knew immediately that a case had arrived.
Demanding to see Dr. House by name indicated that the case was very complicated and life-threatening.
This was exactly the kind of patient David needed.
Moreover, from the number of FBI agents, David easily judged that the guy lying on the gurney was likely a mob member who had joined the witness protection program.
Mob members were not common among Dr. House's patients, so David had a good idea of what the patient's illness was.
House, who had already been notified, limped over, and after a brief examination, said to David:
"Vital signs are stable, he's just in a coma due to an unknown cause.
Admit him first and give him a full workup."
Then House lowered his voice and whispered in David's ear:
"Anyway, the FBI is paying, let's make a big profit from them, so Edward won't say our diagnostics department doesn't generate revenue."
Then House straightened up and returned to his normal tone:
"Alright, I'll have Chase come over to take over later, I'm going to clinic duty first.
That damn Edward added six hours to my weekly clinic time!"
Seeing House limp away again, the man beside him, who was dressed very formally like a lawyer, said in astonishment:
"He just left like that? Joey is still lying here!"
As David helped push the gurney Joey was lying on inside, he said:
"He is a good doctor, but he can't diagnose out of thin air—he also needs data support.
Without any information, you want him to diagnose based solely on speculation?
Are you trying to get him sued for malpractice?"
Upon hearing this, the lawyer's face changed instantly, and he stared fiercely at David and said:
"Hey, if you don't want to get hurt, watch your mouth.
I am Smith, Joey's lawyer, and Joey is also my brother.
I will never let him die like this!
If you can't cure him, you'll need to watch your back when you're coming and going to work!
Oh, no, that's too easy on you.
I will take away your loved ones one by one until you have nothing left!"
David smiled, looking at the indifferent FBI agents beside him:
"Hey, he's threatening a doctor's life, are you just going to pretend you didn't hear?
Could it be that he has all of you on his payroll?"
The latter part of David's sentence immediately provoked a reaction from the FBI agents.
"Threatening? He didn't say one word about killing you.
On the contrary, you are slandering federal agents without any evidence—do you know that with that sentence alone, we have grounds to sue you!"
Facing the threat from the FBI agents, David was not flustered at all:
"Is that so? Then go ahead, I'd like to see if the source of the US dollars deposited into your accounts can withstand scrutiny."
"How dare you! You..."
The FBI agent's words were cut short by Smith's look.
Their source of funds certainly couldn't withstand scrutiny.
The so-called lawsuit was just a scare tactic, but if the other party didn't fall for it, then these FBI agents were just paper tigers.
Smith knew this deeply, which is why he stopped the FBI agents from speaking again.
The more you say, the more mistakes you make—it's better to say nothing.
Smith stared directly at David by the bed and warned:
"Kid, you've got guts. If you can't cure my brother...
Hehe, I hope your mouth can still be this tough then."
"As a doctor, saving lives is my job—I don't need you to remind me.
But with you threatening me like this, maybe my hand will tremble and the dosage of the injected medication will be off.
Let me think, if you overdose on certain medications, you might die."
Anger was clearly visible in Smith's eyes, and he raised his hand to slap David to vent his anger.
But who would have thought that David seemed to have predicted his movement and retreated just in time, dodging the powerful slap.
Seeing Smith make a move right under their noses, the FBI agents beside him naturally couldn't pretend to be indifferent anymore.
This was a hospital, a public place, with people coming and going.
If they let it go unchecked, their careers would be over.
They quickly pulled Smith back to prevent him from making further moves.
"Calm down! Calm down! Your brother is still in a coma! You need a doctor!"
"He's just a kid, don't argue with him, don't argue with him!"
"He's just an intern, he doesn't have any independent prescribing authority—his work will be confirmed by an attending physician!"
...
Under the earnest persuasion of the FBI agents, the agitated Smith finally calmed down.
But he had already memorized this guy's face.
If something happened to his brother, then this guy would undoubtedly be the first to pay!
"You're really something, I'll remember you, Dr. David.
If something happens to my brother, you definitely won't get away!"
David grinned and didn't say anything further.
As for saving the person, he would do it.
As for this Smith who always threatened his life—heh, he should be careful when walking at night.
After Smith was dragged away by the FBI agents, Chase just happened to walk in with a worried expression.
He didn't rush to take the comatose Joey for examination, but instead approached David and whispered:
"What did Edward just talk to you about? Was it about layoffs? Do you know who he's planning to fire?"
Seeing Chase come up to inquire, David understood that the rumors had spread.
To be honest, everyone on House's team, except for Cameron, was probably a potential rat.
Chase's dislike for House was no less than Foreman's back then.
Now hearing the news of layoffs, Chase's resolve had started to waver.
What he cared about was not his salary, but this job.
To keep this job, Chase was willing to do many things.
After thinking for a moment, David decided to give Chase peace of mind, lest he become the annoying actual rat like in the original timeline.
"Don't worry, he can't fire anyone.
Do you remember Carly, the patient we treated not long ago? The female CEO of that publicly traded company?
There are rumors that their cosmetics company is looking for a hospital to partner with on cosmeceuticals.
Clearly, we are already on the shortlist, in the first position."
Chase's eyes lit up—if this news was true, it was undoubtedly good news.
It was their doctors from diagnostics who treated Carly, and if Carly took over the hospital, the position of their diagnostics department would undoubtedly be more secure!
There was just one very important thing that David hadn't mentioned, and thinking of this, Chase quietly asked:
"Are there any rumors about how much money she's planning to invest?"
"One hundred and ten million, enough to replace Edward and become the new Chairman of the Board."
Chase exclaimed in surprise—this Carly's goal was quite clear: she wanted to outbid Edward and become Chairman!
"Wow, this is great!
But such a large investment should take a lot of time to decide, right."
"Yes, it has already entered board deliberations. I think it should be soon—I did keep her private number.
I can ask her about the progress later."
"Okay, with your word, I'm relieved. The new chairman is simply reckless.
An outsider dictating to the insiders—does he want to bankrupt this hospital?"
"Hey, don't worry, he won't be chairman for long."
After hearing David's inside information, Chase finally felt completely at ease. As long as there was hope, he would have the drive to work.
The gloom between his eyebrows immediately disappeared, and he quickly entered work mode, starting to arrange various tests for the patient, Joey.
Blood work, tox screen, MRI...
All relevant tests were ordered.
Soon, the relevant test results came back one by one.
Looking at the serology report showing positive for Hepatitis C, Chase's expression immediately became strange.
Considering that Joey on the bed had also been in prison before joining the witness protection program,
Several keywords quickly appeared in his mind: prison, shower room, compromising positions.
"Good God, this Joey is gay!"
Chase, who hadn't deliberately lowered his voice, immediately attracted the attention of Smith, who was still sitting outside on a bench, calming down.
Smith suddenly walked into the room, pushed past the FBI agent on guard, and pointed at Chase's nose, saying:
"What did you just say?! Say it again if you dare!"
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