"Your sister's life depends on it…"
Does that mean Neveah has a chance to survive?
Secret Archive Access, one that could detect even a person's deepest and darkest secrets. It felt surreal.
The world resumed back to order. Sound crashed back into existence. Footsteps, car engines, and distant chatter.
The arguing couples walked inside the bureau. Nicholas stood frozen for half a second as everything moved again, as if nothing had happened.
Only one thing was different. The golden teardrop was no longer floating.
It had melted into the back of his hand, leaving behind a faint golden mark that was almost invisible unless light struck it just right.
His heart pounded.
"Less than fifteen hours…" he muttered.
[Correct.]
The small golden face appeared faintly above his wrist.
[Host, emotional breakdown is inefficient. Movement is advised.]
Nicholas inhaled slowly. He wasn't sure if he was just hallucinating or if this was real, but he would not deter any chance to save Neveah.
He turned and began walking. Then walking became striding. Then striding became running.
---
City Central Hospital
The automatic glass doors slid open. The smell of antiseptic hit him instantly.
He marched straight toward the reception desk.
"Hello, I need to see Dr. Harrison. Immediately, please."
The attendant glanced at him, at the blood on his collar, the dried streak across his face, and frowned.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No. Do I need an appointment to meet a doctor for something urgent? I don't think it's ethical."
"Unfortunately, for a peasant looking beggar like you, an appointment is needed. Please move aside if you don't…"
[Target detected: Dr. Henry Harrison. Senior Neurosurgeon.]
[Would you like to activate Secret Archive Access?]
Nicholas' steps faltered slightly.
"Yes."
The world dimmed around him for a split second. His head bent slightly backward, and his eyes were wide open.
Then lines of glowing text filled his vision.
TARGET: Dr. Henry Harrison
Age: 54
Public Reputation: Ethical. Decorated surgeon.
Hidden Records: Offshore account containing €3.2 million in diverted hospital funds (12/4/2025).
Secret settlement for failed surgery covered up two years ago (Feb. 2024).
Caused brain damage to Richard Bennett's newborn daughter and replaced the child with another child to avoid facing the consequences (31/08/2004).
Illicit relationship with the Hospital Director's spouse (present).
Bribery acceptance from a pharmaceutical representative (Case ID: 77A).
Nicholas' breathing slowed. The attendant was still talking, but he no longer heard her.
So much dirt on just one man. He wondered if all he had just read was true. If it happened to be, a smile flashed across his face.
At that moment, Dr. Harrison stepped out of the elevator, flipping through a file.
Nicholas walked straight toward him, not paying attention to the lady.
"Doctor."
Dr. Harrison looked up, mildly irritated.
"Mr. Brown. I was told you failed to secure the payment. You do realize you have less than 24 hours to settle this payment if you want her to survive, right?"
"I do."
The doctor sighed.
"Then I'm glad… please endeavor to pay and not make it too late. I'm afraid…"
Afraid? Of course he should be. Nicholas stepped closer.
His voice lowered.
"Three point two million euros."
Dr. Harrison blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
"In the Cayman offshore account under the alias H.H. Med Holdings."
Silence.
The doctor's fingers froze over the file. Nicholas leaned slightly forward.
"Should I continue? Or shall we discuss the settlement from the Dawson family, the one buried after the anesthesia complication?"
Color drained from the doctor's face.
"How do you…"
From the doctor's reaction, Nicholas was now sure that the information from KIPS was correct. He went on.
"And perhaps," Nicholas added softly, "we could also inform the director about your nightly visits to his wife."
The file slipped from Dr. Harrison's hands and hit the floor.
The attendant gasped and stood up from her chair, walking up to them.
"Mr. Brown, this is…"
"Private," Nicholas said calmly.
He locked eyes with the doctor.
"For three years, the Cooper family paid for my sister's care. But she didn't recover, rather her health kept deteriorating. You should know about your secret dealings with them…"
Dr. Harrison swallowed.
"What do you want…"
"You are not discharging her."
The doctor's breathing turned uneven.
"You… you can't threaten me."
Nicholas tilted his head.
"Threaten you? No."
A pause.
"I'm protecting my only family."
He stepped closer so only the doctor could hear.
"If my sister's surgery is not performed within the next hour, I will ensure every single one of those secrets becomes public before sunset."
Dr. Harrison's forehead began to sweat.
"You… you have no proof."
Nicholas' lips curved slightly.
"Try me."
A long, suffocating silence followed.
"Surely you must want Richard Bennett to discover the child he thinks is his actually is just a replacement…"
Doctor Harrison staggered, nearly falling to the ground.
"…Prepare the operating room," Dr. Harrison muttered.
The attendant froze.
"Doctor?"
"NOW!"
She rushed away.
"Mr. Brown, how about we have a private conversation over coffee in my office…" Dr. Harrison said, bowing while fidgeting.
"Over coffee? You think I have the luxury of time to have a conversation over coffee with you?"
Nicholas felt something strange inside his chest. The power of superiority.
"I understand your time is luxury, Mr. Brown. The surgery will definitely be successful."
Nicholas moved even closer to him and said in a cold whisper.
"Good. We shall talk after the surgery is completed and successful. If she doesn't make it, let you and everyone else involved in illicit exchange be ready to be dragged down to the deepest pit of hell."
Dr. Harrison's legs wobbled and he fell.
"She'll make it. I promise you."
He bowed repeatedly before dashing into the elevator.
[Host performance evaluation: Satisfactory.]
The golden interface flickered faintly.
[Resolve increased: 3 → 15]
Nicholas clenched his fist slowly.
"This is just the beginning."
[Affirmative.]
[Next suggested target: Cooper Family.]
Nicholas' eyes darkened.
Evelyn.
She said she found the richest man in the country?
He would see about that.
But first…
He turned toward the operating room doors.
"Live, Nevaeh," he whispered.
The red surgery light flicked on.