CHAPTER 8 – THE HIDDEN PLAN

The following morning, Oliot arrived at the hockey team's medical facility earlier than usual.

He barely slept the previous night. The anonymous messages continued appearing on his phone, reminding him that he had very little time to make a decision.

He placed his belongings on the desk and stared at the confidential research folder displayed on his computer.

Xyrus's name was written at the top.

For several seconds, Oliot simply stared at it.

He knew the athlete's condition was becoming increasingly unstable. The symptoms were no longer something he could dismiss as ordinary exhaustion or temporary complications.

Yet the people behind the experiment expected him to continue.

His phone vibrated.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: You have until the end of today. Don't disappoint us.

Oliot clenched his jaw before putting the phone away.

He opened the research folder and reviewed the latest medical reports. Several observations were marked for further investigation, but one particular result caught his attention.

Xyrus's body was responding differently than expected.

Another procedure could create additional complications.

Oliot leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead.

"What have I done?" he whispered.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Doctor Oliot?"

He immediately closed the folder.

"Come in."

One of the team's administrative assistants entered with a clipboard.

"Good morning, Doctor. The management wants an update about Xyrus's condition."

Oliot straightened his posture.

"Tell them that he's undergoing further evaluation and should avoid strenuous physical activities until he's medically cleared."

"Is his condition serious?"

"We're still investigating the cause of his symptoms. I don't want to make assumptions before completing the necessary assessments."

The assistant nodded.

"Understood. I'll inform them."

After she left, Oliot released a quiet breath.

He had managed to answer professionally without revealing anything about the experiment.

But every lie made the situation harder to control.

Later that morning, Oliot attended the team's regular medical briefing.

The coach, several staff members, and the team's manager were present.

"How is Xyrus doing?" the manager asked.

Oliot opened his medical report.

"He's currently being evaluated following the episode during yesterday's training session. For now, I recommend that he remain off the ice."

The coach frowned.

"He's one of our strongest players. We need him back as soon as possible."

"I understand, but his health must come first."

"Are you certain he can't return next week?"

"I won't clear him until the necessary examinations show that it's safe."

The manager studied Oliot's expression.

"Is there anything else we should know?"

Oliot maintained his composure.

"Nothing that I can confirm at this stage."

The conversation continued with updates about the other players. Oliot answered every question confidently, making sure his behavior remained consistent with his professional responsibilities.

Nobody questioned him.

Nobody suspected that the doctor responsible for protecting the team's health was hiding something far more disturbing.

When the meeting ended, Oliot gathered his documents and returned to his office.

He had successfully avoided raising suspicion.

However, his relief disappeared when he noticed another message on his phone.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: We know you spoke to management. Keep them away from the research.

Oliot stared at the screen.

They were watching his every move.

That afternoon, Oliot entered the restricted research room.

The room was separated from the team's regular medical facilities. Only authorized personnel were supposed to access it.

He locked the door behind him.

On the desk were several confidential documents, previous examination records, and the research files connected to Xyrus.

Oliot approached the computer and opened the experiment's progress report.

He reviewed the previous findings, comparing them with Xyrus's latest symptoms.

The results confirmed his growing suspicion.

The experiment was producing complications that had never been part of the expected outcome.

He slowly removed his glasses and placed them beside the keyboard.

He remembered Xyrus's expression during their last examination.

"If you discover something serious, promise me you'll tell me."

Those words continued repeating in his mind.

Oliot had promised to tell him the truth, yet he was still hiding the most important part.

He knew that Xyrus deserved to understand what had happened to his body. More importantly, he deserved the right to decide what happened next.

But admitting everything would expose Oliot's actions and the people who had pressured him into continuing the research.

His attention returned to the confidential documents.

He began organizing the records for the next stage, carefully separating the information that could be accessed by the team's medical staff from the restricted research files.

He stopped before finalizing anything.

He couldn't bring himself to authorize another procedure.

Not while Xyrus was still suffering.

In the evening, Oliot returned to the main medical office.

He was reviewing routine reports when someone knocked.

"Doctor?"

He looked toward the doorway.

It was Xyrus.

Oliot immediately closed the document on his computer.

"What are you doing here? You should be resting."

Xyrus entered, holding a bottle of water.

"I came to ask about my examination results."

"They're still being reviewed."

"How convenient."

Oliot sighed.

"Xyrus, I understand that you're frustrated, but you need to be patient."

"I'm trying. But it's difficult when nobody tells me what's happening."

Oliot looked at him.

For a moment, he considered confessing everything.

He could tell Xyrus about the unauthorized experiment, the hidden research, and the complications that had begun affecting his health.

But before he could speak, his phone vibrated.

He glanced at the notification.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Tonight. We expect your final decision.

His expression changed.

Xyrus noticed.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing. Just work."

"You're always working, Doctor."

Oliot forced a small smile.

"Someone has to make sure the team stays healthy."

Xyrus looked unconvinced.

"Then start by making sure you aren't hiding something from your patients."

The words struck harder than Oliot expected.

Xyrus turned toward the door.

"I hope you remember your promise."

After he left, Oliot remained motionless.

His phone vibrated once more.

This time, the message contained a photograph of Xyrus entering the medical facility.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: We know he's there. Don't make us take control.

Oliot's face went pale.

He slowly lowered his phone.

The experiment was no longer just a secret he could protect by keeping quiet.

Someone else was watching Xyrus.

And they were prepared to do whatever it took to make sure the hidden plan continued.