Two days after the fall of the Marwicks, television stations across Betford showed the national flag flying above the recovered oil fields.Footage of Silas and Damon being placed inside separate police vehicles appeared repeatedly. Government officers guarded the production buildings, while petroleum engineers inspected the machinery that the Marwicks had attempted to destroy.“The national petroleum agency has confirmed the recovery of nineteen oil wells illegally controlled by companies connected to the Marwick family,” a reporter announced. “Commissioner Pierce led the operation with support from government security forces.”Simon’s name did not appear anywhere in the report.The authorities described him only as an unidentified civilian who had assisted the investigation. Pierce had removed his name from the public statement at Simon’s request.The workers, officers and engineers who witnessed what happened had also been instructed not to discuss the operation. Silas and Damon we

“Who is he?” General Victor Ashbourne asked.Clara appeared surprised by the question.“Dad, this is Simon Gallagher.”Victor waited for more.When Clara realised he did not recognise the name, she continued.“He is the man who saved my life when I almost died in this hospital when I was rushed in on an emergency.”Victor’s expression changed slightly. He had heard that an unidentified man assisted during Clara’s medical emergency, but the explanations provided by the hospital had been incomplete.He looked Simon over again.“You are the man who used silver needles on my daughter?”“I am,” Simon answered.Victor expected nervousness or immediate respect. Simon offered neither. He remained seated while Genevieve secured the final part of the bandage.“What kind of doctor are you?” Victor asked.“I am not employed as a doctor.”Ethan frowned. “Then why were you treating Clara?”“Because the doctors present could not stop her condition from worsening.”Genevieve glanced towards Ethan, bu

“The amount does not matter.”“Six million dollars is more than generous,” Victor replied.“Then offer it to someone who requires your generosity.”Victor leaned closer. “Very few men would reject that much money.”“If I had wanted payment, I would have negotiated the price before saving your daughter.”Silence entered the ward.Pa Gallagher watched from his bed without interfering. Victor Ashbourne believed that his money was large enough to change Simon’s life. He had no idea that the man refusing their cheque controlled the Arranguare Gold Consortium.Victor pushed the cheque towards him again.“Do not pretend that money means nothing to you.”Simon left it untouched. ““There is no amount you can offer that I need badly enough to sell the meaning of what I did.”Clara looked at him with open admiration.Genevieve remained beside the medical cabinet, listening quietly. Simon had refused an opportunity that many people would have fought to receive.Victor’s suspicion increased.Men w

Victor’s expression softened slightly. “Of course I am happy.”“Then why are all of you attacking the person who saved me?”“Because survival does not remove every question,” Victor answered. “I need to know what he placed inside your body and whether it can harm you.”“The needles are no longer inside me.”“That is not the point.”“It is exactly the point!” Clara replied. “Simon saved me after your famous doctor failed. Now Dr Coleman is attempting to punish him for succeeding.”Coleman’s eyes flashed with anger.Victor returned his attention to Simon.“I will not accuse you without evidence. But until the hospital completes its examination, you will remain away from Clara.”“You cannot decide that for me,” Clara said.“I am your father.”“And I am alive because of Simon.”Victor signalled to Ethan and the security officers.“Take her back to her recovery room.”Clara refused to move.Ethan reached towards her arm, but she pulled away.“Do not touch me.” She said.Simon then spoke. “

“It contains every relevant medical development,” Coleman answered.Genevieve placed a sealed folder on the table. “Then it should match the original records.”The chairman signalled for an administrator to collect the folder.Genevieve remained standing. “These readings were printed directly from the monitoring system before Dr Coleman submitted his report,” she explained. “They contain the complete record of Clara’s vital signs during the emergency.”Coleman looked at the folder. “You had no authority to remove those records.”“I did not remove them. I preserved copies because I suspected you would change the account.”A murmur passed between the board members.The chief medical director studied the first page before passing it to the ethics director.“The patient’s condition was unstable when she arrived,” he said.“Yes,” Coleman answered. “That supports my report.”The chief medical director continued reading. “The initial instability is not the problem. Her neurological responses