2025-09-28 23:58:33
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Chapter Four Hundred And Forty Six
Lukas spent the night cataloging exactly what had been disturbed. The systematic nature of the intrusion became clearer with each discovery. His files had been examined—medical records left in slightly different order, folders opened and not quite closed properly. Personal papers reviewed—bank statements, tax documents, correspondence all showing signs of careful inspection. His computer had been accessed—the cursor position different from where he'd left it, browser history indicating someone had examined his recent searches and emails.No forced entry. The door lock showed no damage, no scratches from picks or tools. Either they had a key, or their lock-picking skills were professional grade. The windows were all secured from inside, ruling out entry through those routes. Someone had walked through his front door as easily as if they belonged there.The message was unmistakable: they could reach him whenever they chose. His privacy was illusory. His safety depended entirely on their
Chapter Four Hundred And Forty Five
Lukas took a breath, centering himself before responding. The timing of Konstantin's visit—late evening, unannounced, after the assistant had left—was clearly calculated. This wasn't spontaneous plea from desperate husband. This was orchestrated pressure tactic."Mr. Volkov, I understand your wife is suffering and that you're desperate to help her. As a practitioner, I sympathize with that deeply." Lukas kept his voice professional, measured. "But I cannot treat patients under circumstances designed to avoid proper documentation and legal scrutiny. That crosses ethical lines I'm not willing to compromise.""Ethical lines." Konstantin's expression shifted, the veneer of friendliness beginning to crack. "You're refusing to help a dying woman because of ethical concerns about documentation?""I'm refusing to participate in arrangements that deliberately circumvent medical oversight. Your initial request was explicit about wanting treatment that wouldn't be recorded in ways that might com
Chapter Four Hundred And Forty Four
The warning from Chen Wei's nephew echoed in Lukas's mind for days afterward. His association with Volkov's network was becoming known in wider circles—not just noticed but discussed, evaluated, judged as a liability.He began to understand the vicious cycle trapping him. The criminal connections threatened to taint his credibility with exactly the clients he needed to maintain sustainable independent practice. If legitimate wealthy patients like Chen's family started viewing him as compromised by association with questionable individuals, they'd seek care elsewhere. That would leave him increasingly dependent on Volkov's network for income, which would further damage his reputation, driving away more legitimate clients, deepening his dependence on the very people destroying his credibility.The logic was inescapable and terrifying.Lukas attempted damage control by being more selective about new referrals. When Volkov's associates recommended family members or business partners for c
Chapter Four Hundred And Forty Three
The implications of Dr. Vermeer's revelation consumed Lukas for days. Volkov's network hadn't just anticipated his move—they'd tracked it, identified the specific lawyer he'd contact, and reached her before he could. That level of monitoring required sophisticated capabilities and dedicated resources.He replayed conversations from the past weeks in his mind, searching for signs he'd missed. How had they known he'd seek legal advice? Had they been monitoring his communications directly—phone calls, emails, internet searches? Or had they simply anticipated the logical steps someone in his position would take and positioned themselves accordingly?Either possibility was disturbing. Direct surveillance meant an intrusion into his privacy that was both illegal and terrifying. Predictive positioning meant they understood his psychology well enough to forecast his actions, which suggested careful study and planning.Lukas started noticing details he'd previously overlooked, small things tha
Chapter Four Hundred And Forty Two
The conversation with Volkov continued in the same cordial, terrifyingly reasonable tone."I want to be very clear about something, Dr. Brandt." Volkov settled back into his chair, perfectly relaxed. "This isn't a threat. I have no desire to threaten you. You're an excellent practitioner, and I value our professional relationship highly. So does everyone else in our circle whom you've treated.""Then what is it?" Lukas kept his voice steady despite the tension in his chest."An acknowledgment of reality. By treating members of this network and accepting our payments—very generous payments, if I may note—you've implicitly agreed to certain terms about discretion. I'm simply making those terms explicit so there's no misunderstanding.""I never agreed to—""You accepted the first payment. That was agreement." Volkov's smile remained pleasant. "You accepted the second, the third, the twentieth. Each payment was an acknowledgment that you understood our expectations regarding confidentiali
Chapter Four Hundred and Forty One
He drove to the Apollolaan in seventeen minutes.The door opened before he reached it, a staff member who had clearly been watching for his car, and he was taken upstairs with the efficiency of a household that had prepared for his arrival and was managing the situation with the controlled urgency of people accustomed to managing difficult situations.Alexei was in his room.The boy was on his bed with his knees drawn up and his face the color of someone whose body had stopped cooperating with the version of the day that had been planned, the sweat at his hairline and the breath coming in the shallow controlled rhythm of someone who had been managing acute pain long enough to have developed a technique for it."When did this start?" Lukas said, to the room generally, dropping his bag on the chair and moving to the bed."Two hours ago," Volkov said, from the doorway. He was dressed as though he had been somewhere formal and had come home to this. "He took his evening medication and wit
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