Chapter 278: What The Hell Is Wrong With Him?

[Black Dragon Corporation]

"Doctor Wesley, you have to tell me if something is wrong with the Master," Gustav stressed as he sat down on the armchair, his eyes fixed on Doctor Wesley, whom he had invited into his office to talk.

He paused and let out a heavy sigh. "Is there something wrong with him?"

Doctor Wesley kept his mouth shut, sitting stiffly in his seat. He had wanted to reject Gustav’s invitation, but the man had insisted. For a moment, the doctor considered telling Gustav about Lucian’s condition.

But the moment he sat down in this office and thought about it more carefully, that idea vanished.

Lucian hadn’t told anyone around him about his condition—not his right-hand man, not Nolan, not even his left-hand man. No one.

So even if Doctor Wesley meant well, he couldn’t make that decision for Lucian, even if deep down he knew someone else should know.

Especially when Doctor Wesley, of all people, understood the kind of world Lucian walked in.

"There’s nothing wrong with him, Sir Gustav," Doctor Wesley replied with a short smile. "I’m only here because the Master came in for his regular check-up yesterday, and the test results came back. I wanted to inform him that everything looked fine... aside from his sugar being a little low."

Gustav furrowed his brows. "You came all the way here just to tell him his sugar is low?"

"Yes," Doctor Wesley tried to hide his nervousness behind a soft chuckle. "I could’ve just called, but I happened to be nearby, so I thought I’d drop by."

Silence settled between them as Gustav stared at Doctor Wesley with an unreadable expression, making the doctor wonder whether the man believed even a single word of his excuse.

"It really isn’t anything serious, Sir Gustav," Doctor Wesley said, raising both hands mildly. "Besides, the Master told me his lifestyle changes seem to have improved his health."

"The Master’s health has always been perfectly fine," Gustav replied almost immediately. "Why would he need to improve it?"

Doctor Wesley opened and closed his mouth before forcing another smile. "He has insomnia. It might not seem important, but it is. Sleep is important for anyone, Sir Gustav. He’s been sleeping well lately, hasn’t he?"

This time, Gustav didn’t answer.

His eyes never once left Doctor Wesley.

Even someone innocent would feel nervous under that stare.

Clearing his throat, Doctor Wesley slowly stood up. "Since the Master isn’t here, I’ll just give him a call about the results."

Having said that, he picked up his bag and offered Gustav a shallow smile. Without another word, he headed toward the door, forcing himself to remain calm even though every instinct screamed at him to leave as quickly as possible.

But just as Doctor Wesley neared the exit, Gustav’s voice stopped him.

"Doctor Wesley."

Slowly, Gustav rose to his feet and turned toward him. He waited until the doctor faced him fully again.

"I trust you as the Master’s doctor," Gustav began, his voice calm but firm. "He hired you, which means you work for him—not Dominion. And I understand that you’re only permitted to disclose certain records to me so I can ensure my boss is doing well."

Gustav paused, the tension around him thickening as his gaze darkened.

"However, if there’s something I need to know, you should tell me now. The man you work for and the man I work for are the same person. I may not have your expertise, but I care about him just as much as you do."

His voice lowered further.

"So if there’s anything I need to know as his right-hand man, tell me now," he stressed, emphasizing every word. "Otherwise, if something happens to him that I could’ve prevented..."

Gustav trailed off as he stepped closer, closing the distance between them.

"...then I cannot guarantee your safety. Not from Dominion. Not from me."

Doctor Wesley’s eyes trembled as he stared at Gustav, unconsciously holding his breath.

He had spoken to Gustav many times before. But this was the first time Gustav had ever directed his aura at him.

And right then, Doctor Wesley knew Gustav meant every single word.

Still, while Doctor Wesley trusted Gustav, he also knew one thing:

If Lucian himself hadn’t revealed the truth, then Doctor Wesley had no right to do so either.

"With all due respect, Sir Gustav... that is exactly why I cannot speak with you," Doctor Wesley replied after gathering what felt like a lifetime’s worth of courage. He took a deep breath before meeting Gustav’s gaze directly. "The person I answer to is your Master. Not Dominion. Not you."

He paused, surprised to find his racing heart slowly calming.

"He hired me because he trusted that I value confidentiality above all else. And because he respected my years of practice."

"That being said, if the Master chose not to tell you anything, then who am I to speak in his place?" he continued. "I’m sorry, Sir Gustav. I know you’re only doing your job to make sure the Master is safe, so I don’t take offense to your tone. But I’m doing my job as well."

Another heavy silence fell between them as the two men stared at one another.

Even though Doctor Wesley was older than Gustav, neither of them cared about that fact at this moment.

Right now, they stood as equals.

Gustav let out a frustrated sigh and was just about to back down when he suddenly felt his phone vibrate against his chest.

Taking it out, he gave Doctor Wesley a slight nod, silently allowing him to leave.

Doctor Wesley lowered his head slightly and reached for the doorknob, until...

"The Master?"

Doctor Wesley turned back at Gustav’s sudden voice.

He caught the way Gustav’s pupils slowly dilated as shock overtook the man’s normally stern expression.

"What did you say happened to the Master?" Gustav breathed out, his widened eyes slowly lifting toward Doctor Wesley.

The moment their eyes met, the doctor felt his heart shoot into his throat.

After a second, Gustav abruptly ended the call and stormed toward him.

This time, he grabbed Doctor Wesley violently by the collar.

"You—" Gustav seethed. "Tell me what’s wrong with him."

Doctor Wesley nearly lost his footing as Gustav slammed him against the door.

"What— what happened?" he stuttered, only for Gustav to tighten his grip even further. "Ack—!"

Gustav gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing.

"They said he collapsed," he breathed out, his voice rising dangerously. "He collapsed after coughing up blood. So tell me—what the hell is wrong with him?!"

His roar thundered through the office.

But the weight of his words hit even harder than the force of his voice.

Doctor Wesley could only stare at him blankly, his heart sinking the moment he heard Lucian had collapsed after coughing up blood.

Slowly, the doctor’s expression crumpled as he finally confessed.

"He’s..." His voice trembled. "He’s dying."