Having learned that the President's condition had deteriorated to such a degree that an emergency trip to the hospital became necessary, Nathan grew anxious.
After a hasty farewell to his teacher, he rushed to the hospital, which was already heavily surrounded by the royal guard when he arrived. As the Chief Military Governor, he was granted unimpeded access.
Nathan found the doors to the operation theater swarming with people upon being directed there.
In addition to the First Lady, Paisley, and close family members of the President, members of the Cabinet with Erwin in the lead, and the commander-in-chief of the Brimmopolis garrison, Will, and his men crowded the corridor with anxious faces to discuss the situation in hushed voices.
Paisley's face was streaked with tears. At Nathan's arrival, she fought down her grief and led her family to their feet. “The Chief Military Governor is here!” she announced.
“I came as soon as I learned that the President's condition had taken a turn for the worst,” Nathan said solemnly.
“How is he, Mrs. Woods?”
“He was in good spirits this morning,” Paisley reported. “His condition only deteriorated sharply after he got his jab. We don't know if he'll...”
She choked up, unable to complete her sentence.
A group of Cabinet members and ministers flocked to comfort Paisley with ostentatious displays of sympathy.
Nathan, however, frowned at the impeccable timing of Garrett's misfortune.
The President has been on the new regiment developed by Cross Group for days without a hitch. Why did his condition worsen today?
Suddenly, a shifty voice sounded from the middle of the crowd. “The President's condition took a turn for the worst immediately after he was administered a dose of Cross Group's experimental drug. Could there be a problem with their product?”
Erwin nodded before turning to address Paisley and everybody at the scene. “As the President was being rushed to the operating theater,” he began slowly, “I quickly learned about the situation through Seamus, the head of the Royal Medical Department. The drugs administered to the President of late were all
provided by Penny's company, who happened to be the wife of the Chief Military Governor. Cross Group has provided the medication. Is that correct?”
Nathan nodded after several moments of silence. “Indeed.”
“According to my investigations,” Erwin continued, “Cross Group's kidney cancer treatment drug is not only unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration but is also practically unknown to the public. In other words, Cross Group has been treating the President with an unapproved product still undergoing development. Is that a fact?”
Nathan's eyes flashed. “What are you implying, Mr. Holmes? The Royal Medical Department asserted that the President had little hope of being cured. Despite being well aware that the new drug is under research, the President still agreed to be put on it. Are you trying to pin the responsibility for the deterioration of his condition on Cross Group?”
“That’s not what I mean,” Erwin said at once. “Like everybody here, I just wish to ascertain whether the deterioration of the President's condition had been caused by the failure of his immune system or the medicine provided by Cross Group. If it was caused by his illness, neither the Royal Medical Department nor Cross Group is responsible. If the treatment is discovered to have botched the President's chances of recovery instead of aiding it, I think the person who provided the medicine should take responsibility.”
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