Read Chapter 23: — MARCUS IN TROUBLE

Marcus's problems arrived slowly, then all at once.

An audit questioned his relationship with an implant distributor. Then investigators found payments routed through consultancy agreements. A pain patch he had helped commercialise contained undeclared components and had been marketed with claims the evidence did not support.

Marcus insisted competitors were attacking him.

Some accusations were exaggerated.

Others were not.

Daniel was asked to review imaging and clinical records connected to several cases.

He refused to defend what could not be defended.

He also refused to let colleagues turn Marcus into a cartoon.

"He has done things that require investigation," Daniel said. "That is different from saying every operation he performed was corrupt."

Clara understood what it cost him to say that.

Marcus did not.

From fear and pride, he attacked Daniel publicly, claiming Aurora had been rushed and Daniel's radionuclide research was more publicity than medicine.

The press loved it.

Daniel did not respond.

The silence made Marcus angrier.