The villa lay silent under a fresh blanket of snow, the world outside reduced to muted whites and grays. Inside, the lab lights glowed pale; the hum of refrigerated freezers and the soft whirr of servers were the only sounds. Viola Kane sat at a narrow workbench, reviewing the morning's board meeting transcripts on her tablet. The motion to freeze Locke's assets had passed unanimously, and federal investigators were en route. Yet despite the victory, her mind churned with an unsettling thought.
At that moment, a soft knock echoed down the corridor. Nurse Caldwell stepped in, carrying a small silver tray. On it rested a single, slender strip and a small cup. “Doctor," she said quietly. “I know it's early, but—your annual panel runs today. I thought you might want to…check." She placed the
