First Business Ally

"I'm the man who's going to make you rich, Dr. Holloway."

The doctor lifted a brow. As moving as words like that were, Holloway was barely impressed. He had dealt with people like this before — businessmen, inventors, con artists, all eager to pitch some "revolutionary" idea, some shortcut to wealth. In his line of work, these types were nothing more than distractions, feeding off the desperation of others.

He sighed, already annoyed. "If you're here to sell me some get-rich scheme, you can leave now."

"Gee, I feel insulted," Darren spoke with an emotionless voice.

Standing there for a while and seeing that the intruder had no plans to leave, Dr. Holloway turned to the door. "I'm calling security."

"How many patients have you lost... because there wasn't a cure for their illness?"

Holloway's hand stopped as he reached for the nob. His face turned back to Darren. "What?"

"You're a good man, Dr. Holloway. You wish you could save everyone, but you know you are limited by the medical advancements of this time, even though we have come very far."

The doctor appeared confused. "This time? Wha— why are you telling me this? What do you mean?"

Darren stood up from the check up bed he'd been sitting on, arms folded. "I'm the kind of man who knows things." He spoke with certainty, his voice steady and sure. "How I know things doesn't matter. I'd never tell anyone, but you should believe me when I say I know things."

Holloway was unimpressed. His disbelief was obvious in the way his brows creased, the skepticism in his gaze. 'Who's this crazy kid?'

Darren saw the disbelief and decided to hit the doctor with some of the things he knew.

"Take for example; I know that you and Dr. Morrison went to school together. Harvard. And now, even though you were once friends, he's doing everything possible to keep your company down while lifting his up."

Holloway's expression faltered, eyes widened as he moved backwards in surprise. "How do you—?"

Darren cut him off. "Yet, despite that, you refuse to face him head-on. You keep your focus on treating your patients, which is admirable. But if you continue this way, your hospital is going to be demolished in six years time. You'll be forced to file for bankruptcy. And everyone will quickly forget about you because Morrison is a powerful man." His voice lowered. "And he's only going to get more powerful as time goes on."

The silence in the office thickened. Holloway swallowed, quickly starting to believe the boy as some of these things were already happening in the background.

"How do you know these things?"

Darren exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly. "Remember what I said? It doesn't matter. How I know it doesn't come into play, it's completely trivial to this discussion."

Holloway frowned, confused and disappointed. Noticing this, Darren decided to offer something to calm the doctor's thoughts and make his claim more believable.

"I'm a business specialist and a company success tracker," he explained. "I analyze trends, predict financial trajectories, and recognize patterns that determine whether a company will flourish or collapse. My expertise allows me to assess risks, pinpoint weaknesses, and ensure survival in a competitive industry. Your company's survival is one of the lowest in the state, Dr. Holloway."

Even though he believed that, Holloway still looked skeptical. "So what do you want, then? To offer me a way to stop my company from collapsing?" His tone was laced with suspicion. "Obviously, you'd want money. And how do I even know Morrison didn't send you himself? Maybe that's how you know all these things."

Darren didn't react to the accusation. Instead, he reached into his pocket and placed a small folded document on the desk. "Hepatitis C."

Holloway frowned, hesitantly picking up the paper.

"Hepatitis C is a lifelong infection. The only available treatment we have now is interferon-based therapy. It has extreme side effects, and a low cure rate. Patients suffer for years."

Darren looked at Holloway as he scanned the paper. "But no one has tried using direct-acting antivirals. I project a 95% cure rate. Do you see the graph? The proof?"

Holloway's hands tightened around the paper, eyes quivering. "This can't be real."

"Test it then." Darren slipped his hands into his pockets. "I can wait."

Holloway stared at him, then at the document in his hands. Not wasting any time, he rushed to his desk, flipping through research papers before powering up his computer.

His hands moved swiftly — typing, scanning, cross-referencing data. Then, he hurried over to the microscope, adjusting the lenses, testing the chemical composition.

Seconds stretched into minutes. Tension. Thick tension and excitement.

Then, he gasped, covering his mouth with his hand as his eyes popped out wide with disbelief.

"I can't believe it. This is… this is revolutionary," he muttered. He turned to Darren, his voice barely above a breath. "This is going to change the world."

Darren shook his head. "No. You're going to change the world, Dr. Holloway." He held the man's gaze firmly. "A doctor's reputation is currency. The doctor with the most medical breakthroughs will be the most powerful in the state, the country — hell, even the world."

Holloway was still struggling to comprehend it. His eyes flickered from the formula to Darren. "Breakthroughs?" His voice wavered. "Are you saying you know more cures to illnesses?"

Darren remained expressionless. "Not all. But plenty enough."

Holloway exhaled, then gave him a suspicious gaze. "And you know all this by being a… company success tracker?"

Darren's lips barely twitched. "You've run out of subscription for asking questions, especially concerning how I know what I know."

Chuckling excitedly at the quirky joke, showing that he didn't care as long as he got more medical breakthroughs like this, Holloway looked back at the computer, still overwhelmed, gripping the edge of his desk.

Darren continued. "I'm willing to tell you more. Plenty more. But in return, you'll agree to treat my mother for free and become my business ally."

Holloway blinked, taken aback. It was a very simple demand for such an enigmatic young man. "Your mother?" He hesitated. "What illness does she have?"

"Aortic stenosis," Darren answered. "She needs surgery soon."

Holloway's brows furrowed. He thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. I can do that. The money I'll get from this cure alone will earn me hundreds of millions. Covering a surgery is nothing compared to that."

Darren tilted his head. "Good. And will you be my business ally?" He placed both hands on the desk, leaning in slightly. "Being my ally means you'll grant me lifelong free healthcare from this moment on, while I give you what I know about medicinal cures."

Holloway barely hesitated this time. "Yes. I agree."

"But..." Darren had more. "Since I can very well offer this deal to many other doctors in the state..."

Holloway looked worried.

"...the medicinal cures are going to be bought. They won't be expensive of course. For you, Dr Holloway, I'll sell for the lowest price of $2 million and the highest of $7 million."

"$7 million?" The doctor raised his brow, thinking to himself. "That is a lot of money."

"You said it yourself, Doctor. One of these cures will give you hundreds of millions of dollars. Not to talk about the reputation and status that comes with it."

"You're right," the doctor agreed after a short thought. "I accept your terms."

Darren straightened, satisfied by that answer. "Can you draft a contract right now?"

"Indeed!" Holloway's excitement surged. His fingers twitched in exhilaration as he left the room, practically stumbling in his eagerness. "Just a second!" He typed and printed out a fresh contract, his heart pounding. He had never felt such a rush of thrill before.

When he returned, he placed the document in front of Darren. "Here. You can read through it if you want."

Darren took his time scanning every detail. Once he was finished, the system flickered in front of his vision.

┏Contract Scanning...┛

┏Legitimacy Confirmed. No deceit detected.┛

Satisfied, Darren picked up a pen and signed his name. Holloway quickly followed, signing right beside Darren's.

Ding!

A notification flashed in Darren's interface.

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┏Congratulations!┛

┏You have secured a Business Ally.┛

┏Ally: Leonard Holloway

Company: Holloway Medicals

Rank: C+

Information: This Ally is averagely strong but has very high potential. Dr. Holloway is the kind of Ally you can always trust with minimal to zero chances of betrayal.┛

┏Loyalty: 6/10┛

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Darren looked at Holloway, watching as he studied the contract with an eager gleam in his eyes.

"When can I expect another cure? Not that I'm rushing you, fine sir."

Darren almost smiled. "I'll be bringing my mother by the end of the week," he stated. "Before the surgery begins and when it's over, I'll give you two more cures."

Holloway, still in awe, flipped through the contract again before pausing. He frowned slightly. "This is all very exciting, but… you didn't write your name in the blank spaces. Your signature isn't exactly clear, either." He extended a hand. "It's great doing business with you. But what is your name, young sir?"

"My name is not necessary," Darren said as he accepted the handshake. "But you can refer to me as Mr. Duckling."