The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 128

Garrison's heart lurched violently.

"What did you say? The Vitas Strain data was leaked?!"

"Calm down," Zachary said, pressing a hand to Garrison's trembling shoulder. "According to the kidnappers, they took the job to grab Archie off the dark web. They had no idea who their employer was. All communication was done online, and the payment was made in cryptocurrency, making it completely untraceable."

"Then what did they find?!"

"The police tracked the dark web footprint to the employer the kidnappers mentioned. In his transaction history, they uncovered an encrypted file labeled 'Vitas Strain Intelligence.' The authorities cracked it, and it was indeed real intel on the strain. They showed it to me. However..." Zachary paused, swallowing hard.

"However, what?"

"The intel only covered the most basic information on The Vitas Strain—experimental parameters, sample logs, testing protocols... It didn't include the core cultivation data or critical clinical trial results. So, the police hypothesize..."

Zachary didn't need to finish. Garrison instantly completed the thought.

"The person who provided this intel is likely someone inside our lab, but they didn't have the clearance to access the core data."

"Exactly."

"Is there any way to keep tracing it?"

"For now... the trail ends there."

Garrison clenched his jaw furiously, unable to suppress the raging fire in his chest.

"Arson, kidnapping, stealing the Vitas data—this is obviously a targeted attack on the project! Who else could it be but David Lancaster from Knox Biosciences? Their goal is to obliterate The Vitas Protocol so they can permanently monopolize the cancer drug market!"

Zachary held up a hand, gesturing for him to calm down.

"I share your suspicions. So do the police," he said. "But the problem is proof."

"Which means..." Garrison's voice turned incredibly dark. "Even if we know it's him, our hands are tied?"

Zachary remained silent for a few seconds. "At the moment, yes."

Garrison's fists slowly tightened, a bloodshot rage creeping into his eyes.

"What if David strikes again? He's a lunatic who won't stop until he gets what he wants! How do I guarantee the safety of my family? And... and the entire Antarctic expedition team is out there, totally exposed to danger!"

"Please thank Dr. Hayes for me."

Zachary stood up and patted his shoulder. "I will. Don't worry too much. Keep doing what you do best. The Vitas Protocol still needs you."

Garrison nodded, turning and walking out the door.

By the time Garrison stepped out of the hospital, the sky had already darkened.

He walked toward the parking lot with his head down, still turning over his conversation with the dean. Knox, David Lancaster, the dark web, 24-hour surveillance—the words tangled in his mind like a knotted mess of thread.

As he reached his black Maybach, he froze.

A man was standing next to his car.

In his fifties, wearing an ill-fitting dark gray jacket and sporting thinning hair ruffled by the evening wind, Jackson Taylor stood there with a slight paunch, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Catching sight of Garrison, an embarrassed smile crawled onto his face.

Garrison's brow furrowed imperceptibly.

"Garrison," Jackson said, taking a half step forward before stopping, laughing awkwardly. "Could we... talk for a minute?"