Chapter 34
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The emergency board meeting was called for Friday morning. The room was buzzing with excited chatter. Many of the board members, blinded by the promise of fifty million dollars and the potential for a medical miracle, were already discussing how to allocate the funds for the international expansion.
Noah sat at the head of the table, his face a mask of stone. Evelyn sat to his right, sensing his tension.
"Dr. Thorne," Noah called out, silencing the room. "Please present your findings on the AT-7 data provided by Aegis."
Dr. Thorne, a meticulous, older man with a reputation for absolute integrity, stood up and adjusted his glasses.
"I have spent the last three days reviewing the raw data with my team," Dr. Thorne began, projecting a series of complex charts onto the screen. "On paper, AT-7 is remarkable. The nerve regeneration markers in their early-stage trials are statistically significant. According to this data, the side effects are minimal, limited to mild fatigue and localized soreness."
A murmur of approval rippled through the board.
"So, the treatment is safe for our patients?" a board member asked eagerly.
"According to this data, yes," Dr. Thorne confirmed.
Noah leaned forward, interlocking his fingers. "And what does your gut tell you, Aris?"
Dr. Thorne paused, looking at Noah with a deep, shared understanding. "My gut tells me that the data is too clean, Noah. Biology is messy. Experimental neurology is chaotic. To have hundreds of trial subjects and zero significant adverse reactions is... statistically highly improbable. It feels sanitized."
"Because it is," Noah declared, standing up. "I spoke with a former Aegis rehabilitative specialist currently working in our own facility. She witnessed severe, agonizing muscle spasms in AT-7 patients—spasms that have been completely erased from this official report."
The room erupted into shocked whispers.
"Noah, are we going to reject fifty million dollars based on the unverified word of one former employee?" another board member challenged. "Aegis is a respected company. This could put us on the map globally."
"We are already on the map because we protect our patients," Evelyn interjected fiercely, slamming her hand on the table. "We do not compromise their safety for a headline or a check."
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"I am officially vetoing the partnership with Aegis Therapeutics," Noah announced, his voice ringing with absolute finality. "We will draft a formal rejection letter this afternoon. The Whitmore Foundation is not for sale."
Marcus Vance nodded, rapidly taking notes. "I will handle the legal drafting, Noah. But brace yourself. Silas Mercer is not going to take rejection well."
