Reincarnated With the Ultimate Son-in-law System

Chapter 28

The antiseptic smell of the hospital hit Michael the moment he stepped off the elevator. Intensive care units had the same clinical atmosphere regardless of how expensive or exclusive they might be, and Crawford Memorial's VIP wing was no exception.

Sandra Williams lay motionless, surrounded by beeping machines and IV drips. Her skin had a grayish tinge that made Michael's stomach tighten. The vibrant, sharp-minded woman who had helped expose Eric's fraud was barely recognizable under the oxygen mask and tangle of monitoring wires.

"Mr. Crawford," Dr. Eliza Chen approached from the nurses' station. "I was hoping to speak with you."

"How is she?" Michael asked, his eyes not leaving Sandra's still form.

Dr. Chen's expression was grave. "Stable, but critical. We've identified a synthetic neurotoxin in her system—one we've never encountered before. It targets the central nervous system in a highly specific way."

"Will she recover?"

"That's what I needed to discuss," Dr. Chen said, leading Michael to a quiet consultation room. "The toxin is degrading her neural pathways. We've slowed the progression, but without the specific antidote, the damage will become permanent within 48 hours."

Michael's jaw tightened. "And the antidote?"

"That's the problem. This isn't a known toxin. It appears to be proprietary—something developed in a private laboratory. Without knowing the exact formula, creating an effective antidote is nearly impossible in the time we have."

As Michael processed this information, the System message appeared in his field of vision: [Task assigned: Obtain antidote from Maxwell Hughes' private lab. Reward: Toxin Immunity.]

Michael looked up sharply. "Have you consulted with Neuro-Gen Pharmaceuticals? They specialize in neurological compounds."

Dr. Chen nodded. "We reached out to several research facilities, including Neuro-Gen. Their representative claimed they're unfamiliar with the toxin's signature."

"I see," Michael said quietly. The System's message confirmed what he already suspected—Neuro-Gen was involved, likely through Eric's connection to Maxwell Hughes. "Please keep me updated on any changes in her condition. Crawford Enterprises will cover all expenses, of course."

"Of course," Dr. Chen replied. "Though what Ms. Williams needs most right now isn't financial support—it's that antidote."

Michael nodded grimly. "I understand."

Back in his car, Michael pulled out his Buzzer phone, activating the secure line to Olivia. "I need everything you can find on Maxwell Hughes' private laboratory. Not the main Neuro-Gen facility—his personal research space."

"Already on it," Olivia replied. "Sandra's condition?"

"Critical. The hospital identified a neurotoxin, but they can't create an antidote without the original formula."

"Bastards," Olivia muttered. "Hughes has a private lab facility on the fourteenth floor of the Neuro-Gen building. Highly restricted access. According to their security protocols, it requires both biometric authentication and a physical key card."

"What about tonight's schedule?"

"That's our window," Olivia confirmed. "Hughes is attending the BioInnovation Charity Gala at the Riverside Museum from 7 PM to midnight. The lab will be minimally staffed."

"Perfect," Michael said. "Prepare the Black Investor kit. I'll need full infiltration support."

"Michael," Olivia's voice turned serious. "This isn't like exposing art fraud or making a dramatic entrance at a product launch. You're talking about breaking into a pharmaceutical company's secure laboratory. If you're caught—"

"If I don't get that antidote, Sandra dies," Michael cut her off. "And we both know who's really behind this."

Four hours later, the Black Investor stood on the rooftop of a building adjacent to Neuro-Gen's headquarters. The black mask that had become his public signature now served a more practical purpose concealing his identity during what was undeniably a criminal act.

"Security rotation in thirty seconds," Olivia's voice came through the earpiece. "Remember, you'll have exactly forty-seven seconds to cross the maintenance bridge before the next camera sweep."

Michael checked the specialized equipment Olivia had prepared—a security card duplicator, electromagnetic pulse device for emergency electronic locks, and a small kit of specialized tools.

"Initiating camera loop now," Olivia announced. "Go!"

Michael moved with practiced efficiency, crossing the narrow maintenance bridge between buildings. His enhanced reflexes made the dangerous crossing almost effortless, even fourteen stories above the street.

The roof access door required both a key card and code. Using the duplicator device Olivia had prepared, Michael captured the door's security frequency and replicated the necessary signal. The light turned green, and he was in.

"You're in the maintenance corridor," Olivia guided him. "Two rights, then a left will bring you to the service elevator. It bypasses the main security checkpoints."

The Neuro-Gen building was eerily quiet after hours, with only security guards and a few dedicated researchers still present. Michael avoided them all, moving through service corridors and maintenance shafts to reach the fourteenth floor undetected.

"Hughes' lab requires biometric authentication," Olivia reminded him. "The bypass will only work for ninety seconds before the system resets."

"Understood." Michael approached the laboratory door, attaching Olivia's custom device to the security panel. The sophisticated technology created a perfect electromagnetic ghost of Hughes' fingerprint and retinal pattern from cached security data.

The door slid open with a soft hiss. Michael entered quickly, careful not to disturb anything that would indicate an intrusion.

Hughes' private laboratory was immaculate—a stark contrast to the chaos of his public persona. Organized shelves lined the walls, each containing precisely labeled compounds and research materials.

"I'm in," Michael whispered. "Where would he keep specialized compounds?"

"According to the building plans, there should be a climate-controlled storage unit on the north wall," Olivia replied. "Likely requiring additional security measures."

Michael found the storage unit—a sophisticated refrigeration system with a separate biometric lock. He used the bypass device again, gaining access to dozens of carefully cataloged vials and containers.

"How do I identify the correct antidote?" Michael asked, scanning the labeled compounds.

"Look for anything related to neurotoxins or neural pathway protection," Olivia suggested. "Probably designated as experimental or prototype."

Michael's enhanced perception allowed him to quickly scan the labels, identifying a section marked "NP Series—Experimental." Inside were matched pairs of vials—one labeled with "NP" followed by a number, and a corresponding vial labeled "NP-A" with the same number.

"I think I found it," Michael said. "Toxin and antidote pairs, neurological classification."

As he carefully photographed the labels, Michael noticed a file folder marked "NP Series Applications" on a nearby desk. He opened it, quickly scanning the contents.

"Olivia, I've got documentation here," he said, photographing each page rapidly. "Hughes has been testing these toxins for what he calls 'elimination purposes.' There are dosage calculations based on body weight and targeted effect timelines."

"He's creating designer assassination tools," Olivia realized. "Get the antidote and get out of there."

Michael identified the specific compound matching the toxin description Dr. Chen had provided—NP-347. He carefully removed the corresponding antidote vial labeled NP-347-A and secured it in the specialized container he'd brought.

As he prepared to leave, a final document caught his attention—a memorandum with Crawford Pharmaceuticals letterhead, authorizing funding for the "NP Series field applications." It was signed by Eric Crawford.

"I've got proof connecting Eric to the toxin program," Michael said, photographing the document. "Direct authorization for funding."

"Michael, security alert on the main floor," Olivia interrupted urgently. "Someone's called in a suspicious activity report. You need to get out now!"

Michael quickly replaced everything except the antidote vial, ensuring the lab appeared undisturbed. He exited through the same service pathways he'd used to enter, barely avoiding a security team responding to the alert.

Back on the rooftop, heart pounding from the narrow escape, Michael confirmed the antidote was secure. "I've got it. Heading to the hospital now."

"There's something else you need to know," Olivia said, her voice tense. "While you were in there, I received an alert from our financial monitoring system. Someone's buying up Buzzer Tech shares—aggressively."

"That's impossible," Michael replied, moving quickly across the maintenance bridge. "Buzzer Tech is privately held. The shares aren't publicly available."

"They're purchasing through the private placement agreements with our initial investors," Olivia explained. "Offering triple the valuation to buy out their positions. The pattern suggests a coordinated attempt to acquire controlling interest within days."

"Who's behind it?"

"That's the strange part," Olivia said. "The purchases are being made through multiple shell companies, all apparently controlled by an offshore entity called 'Kingmove Revival Ltd.' registered in the Cayman Islands."

"Kingmove?" Michael repeated, the chess reference immediately apparent. "That's no coincidence. Run deep background. I'll head to the hospital first, then meet you at the secure facility."

Ninety minutes later, Michael watched as Dr. Chen administered the antidote to Sandra Williams. The effect was almost immediate—her vital signs began to stabilize, and the alarming neural degradation patterns on the monitors slowed, then stopped.

"This is remarkable," Dr. Chen said, examining the results. "The antidote is targeting the toxin with incredible precision. May I ask how you obtained it?"

"Better you don't know," Michael replied. "Will she recover completely?"

Dr. Chen nodded. "With this antidote, yes. Though she'll need time and rehabilitation. The toxin had already caused some damage before we stopped it."

"Keep her under the highest security protocols," Michael instructed. "No visitors without my personal approval, no food or drink that hasn't been thoroughly tested."

As Michael left the hospital, the System message updated: [Task completed successfully. Reward: Toxin Immunity unlocked.]

**

When Michael arrived home near dawn, he passed by the kitchen on his way upstairs and paused. He heard Katherine's voice coming from inside, though she appeared to be alone. Carefully, he positioned himself where he could observe without being seen.

Katherine sat at the kitchen island, still dressed in yesterday's business attire and looking troubled. A half-empty glass of wine stood beside her laptop, which displayed the Buzzer Technology website and recent news coverage of the MePhone launch.

"It's absolutely extraordinary what they've accomplished," she murmured to herself, scrolling through technical specifications. "The neural interface technology alone is revolutionary. Not to mention the security protocols that somehow prevented even Crawford Pharmaceuticals' best systems from accessing their data."

She opened another tab showing Crawford Enterprises' internal technology development timeline, comparing them side by side.

"The similarities are undeniable," Katherine continued, talking to herself as she often did when working through complex problems. "The security architecture matches some of the protocols Michael was developing for Crawford Enterprises."

She pulled a sleek black phone from her purse… a phone Michael recognized with internal alarm as one of his Buzzer devices. She must have taken it from his office drawer.

"And then there's this," she said, turning the phone over in her hands. "The mysterious phone I found in Michael's office with the Buzzer logo."

Katherine took another sip of wine, her eyes narrowing in concentration.

"It all makes sense now," she whispered. "Buzzer Technology isn't a competitor. It's a skunkworks project for Crawford Enterprises. A secret division developing next-generation technology outside the corporate structure."

She smiled to herself, the expression calculating rather than joyful.

"That's why Michael's been so secretive. His father probably wants him to inherit this,” She smirked.

Katherine closed the laptop, speaking more firmly now as she finalized her decision.

"I won't tell Eric," she declared to the empty kitchen. "This could be incredibly valuable for me. For my future."

She laughed softly, the sound cold and brittle in the quiet kitchen.

"Michael thinks he's so clever with his secret project. But I could use this. When the time is right, I could help with the Crawford Enterprises integration. Position myself as essential to the process."

Katherine poured another glass of wine, raising it in a mock toast.

"To partnerships," she said sardonically. "And to keeping one's enemies closer than they realize."

She finished her wine and carefully returned the Buzzer phone to her purse. "I'm on your side now, Michael," she whispered. "At least until I decide which side benefits me more."

Michael silently withdrew before Katherine could discover his presence. He climbed the stairs, his mind racing with the implications of what he'd just witnessed. Katherine had drawn her own conclusions about Buzzer—incorrect ones, but useful for now.