In the end, after negotiations with Ha Si-heon completely broke down, Hols returned to the hotel and shot a sharp glare at attorney Blackwell.
“Is this the extent of your abilities? A so-called giant in the legal world, and this is all you can do?”
Blackwell’s face hardened like a stone statue at Hols’s scathing remark.
His pride was deeply wounded, yet he could not refute it.
‘I never imagined he wouldn’t even leave room for negotiation.’
This outco completely overturned Blackwell’s expectations.
Of course, he hadn’t expected Ha Si-heon to easily comply with their demands either…
But at the very least, he thought they would sit at the negotiating table and try to find a compromise.
Ha Si-heon seed like a reasonable enough person.
And yet—
—Thank you for your concern, but I will proceed with the lawsuit.
The only word that ca out of Ha Si-heon’s mouth was “lawsuit.”
No matter how much Blackwell pressured, persuaded, or tried to entice him, it was useless.
The unwavering look on Ha Si-heon’s face lingered in Blackwell’s mind like a persistent afterimage.
‘This… isn’t a rational decision.’
Ha Si-heon’s choice defied common sense.
Most people avoid lawsuits at all costs.
Even if they see a chance of winning, they tend to take a step back.
Moreover, this lawsuit was by no ans favorable to Ha Si-heon.
He would be up against Blackwell, a legal titan, with a staggering $4.9 billion in damages at stake, along with nurous unfavorable circumstances surrounding him.
Considering all these risks, it seed inevitable that he would back down… and yet—
“If he really puts Kissinger on the witness stand, how will you respond?”
Hols snapped, anxiously biting his nails.
If Kissinger broke free from his NDA and testified?
It would be a fatal blow.
All because of the revelations that surfaced during the recent board eting.
Tampered test data, fraudulent proficiency exams, deliberately omitted lab inspection areas…
All these truths would beco part of the court record.
Like an indelible stain.
“Is there any way to block or nullify Kissinger’s testimony based on an NDA violation?”
“Impossible.”
The lawyer’s answer was firm.
“The testimony itself will be valid—if Kissinger is prepared to face the consequences.”
The lawyer chose his words carefully.
Kissinger’s appearance as a witness would trigger nurous complications, but that was a problem for later.
For now, the imdiate issue needed to be resolved.
“If Kissinger testifies, we’re left with only two choices. We either sue him or we don’t.”
“Suing is absolutely not an option!”
Hols cut in with a vehent voice.
“Have you forgotten? The ultimate goal of this lawsuit is securing investnt funds!”
If they sued Kissinger, every investor connected to him would undoubtedly turn their backs.
Not only would the frozen $4.9 billion in pending investnts remain locked, but there was a risk of losing it permanently.
Moreover, Theranos would be branded as “the company that sued Kissinger.”
That stigma would drive away every other influential figure as well.
The lawyer nodded before continuing coolly.
“Then we must abandon the lawsuit. But if we remain silent despite Kissinger’s damning testimony, it will appear as though Theranos is tacitly admitting to his claims.”
That was the problem.
If they ignored Kissinger’s accusations out of fear of a lawsuit, it would be the sa as acknowledging the truth of his statents.
It would be as if Theranos itself admitted to rampant fraud and deception.
In that scenario, securing investnts would also be impossible.
Only two choices remained.
But no matter which one they picked, it would be disastrous for Theranos.
“So, find another way! Isn’t that what top legal experts are supposed to do?”
The lawyer let out a deep sigh that filled the hotel suite.
Then, he spoke with a heavy tone.
“Ms. Hols, there is no way out of this trap. Once you step in, there is no escape—it’s a perfect snare.”
A trap where every path led to defeat.
No matter how hard he searched, there was no loophole to exploit.
Blackwell furrowed his brow as he turned the situation over in his mind.
If Ha Si-heon had deliberately designed this trap from the very beginning…
‘No, that’s impossible.’
He shook his head.
No one could construct such an intricate trap intentionally.
Especially not soone as young as Ha Si-heon—this had to be a re coincidence, a stroke of luck.
And yet…
The information from Ha Si-heon’s background check replayed in Blackwell’s mind.
An unbelievable 80% accuracy rate. A reputation as a genius…
If all of this was the result of ticulous planning?
Then Ha Si-heon was, without a doubt, a genius.
A genius on a level Blackwell had never encountered before.
“So, are you saying we should just sit back and do nothing?”
Hols’s sharp voice snapped the lawyer out of his thoughts.
He t Hols’s gaze and spoke firmly.
“As I said, this trap cannot be broken. That leaves only one option—never stepping into it in the first place.”
The lawyer looked at Hols with a warning expression.
“We must never let Kissinger take the stand. The mont he does, we lose, no matter what choice we make. Therefore, we must persuade him not to testify… but that is beyond my ability.”
A glimr of understanding appeared in Hols’s eyes.
She slowly, yet decisively, nodded.
"Understood. I’ll try to persuade him myself."
***
After finishing her conversation with the lawyer, Hols walked toward the study in the suite.
Her fingers slid across the smartphone screen, searching for Kissinger’s number.
She had told Blackwell she would persuade him, but in truth, the likelihood of success was uncertain.
Since resigning from the board, Kissinger had thoroughly ignored all her attempts at contact.
‘If he doesn’t answer, I’ll have no choice but to visit him in person.’
With that resolve, she made the call—only to be t with an unexpected response.
[What is it?]
Kissinger’s voice ca through the receiver.
He had answered.
That alone was shocking, but what happened next was even more surprising.
“I have sothing urgent to discuss. I believe I need to et you in person—”
[Tomorrow at four, I’m free. Co to my estate.]
Kissinger had invited her to his estate.
‘Why all of a sudden…?’
Had sothing changed in his mindset?
Holding onto that question, Hols spent a sleepless night before heading to Kissinger’s New York residence the next day.
“I heard you sued Ha Si-heon.”
Kissinger’s first words were as cold as ice.
His frigid deanor, unlike anything she had seen before, montarily threw Hols off guard.
But she quickly regained her composure and explained.
“The damage caused by his false claims is imnse. And the repercussions continue even now.”
"……"
“I acknowledge that I was inexperienced as a CEO. I was excessively obsessed with security and, at tis, overly forceful. However, the ‘Wall Street Tis’ article was exaggerated and malicious. Moreover, the testimony of the employee you spoke with was completely false. That employee’s area of responsibility was—”
Before she could continue, Kissinger cut her off.
“I already know everything, so there’s no need to say more.”
His eyes, locked onto hers, were frozen over.
His words hit like a biting winter wind.
“I conducted a separate investigation myself.”
Hols’s mouth went dry, as if she had swallowed sand.
Kissinger’s sharp gaze…
That was the look of a man who knew everything.
Considering his vast network, it was entirely possible that he had uncovered truths far beyond a single employee’s allegations.
He knew.
Not just the exposé or the forr employee’s claims—but the deeper, hidden truths.
Cold sweat trickled down her spine, but Hols forced herself to ask.
“If that’s the case… If Ha Si-heon summons you as a witness in court, will you testify?”
"……"
Silence filled the room.
Kissinger gave no answer.
Hols took a deep breath and spoke cautiously.
“Whatever testimony you provide, it falls under NDA confidentiality. If you speak on the matter, we will have no choice but to take legal action.”
Of course, they had no real intention of suing him.
But he needed to recognize the risk.
“Furthermore, if you reveal all the details… It will bring you considerable harm as well. There will be those eager to hold you accountable for negligence in oversight.”
This was her gambit.
Hols believed this last statent would be the decisive blow.
If Kissinger exposed Theranos’s wrongdoings, it would be akin to striking his own foot with an axe.
No matter what cris Theranos had committed, it had been Kissinger and the board mbers who had ultimately approved them.
Hols’s eyes glead sharply.
“Newton is a dical device. If a major controversy erupts… You won’t escape severe criticism for endangering patients’ lives.”
For Kissinger, this was an accusation he absolutely had to avoid.
A tarnished reputation was nearly impossible to restore.
Especially considering Kissinger’s age—ninety-one this year.
Recently, he had beco obsessively concerned with his legacy.
He would never do anything to stain his na.
Hols had a solid grasp of why he had supported her all this ti.
If her judgnt was correct, Kissinger would never take the witness stand.
She endured the silence, calculating her next move, until Kissinger finally spoke in a heavy voice.
“I will not get involved in Ha Si-heon’s lawsuit.”
As expected.
For Kissinger, reputation was everything.
Just as Hols was about to let out a breath of relief, his next words froze her in place.
“But only on the condition that you quietly recall all Newton devices from the market.”
“…What?”
He was demanding that she cease Newton’s operations.
Hols was at a loss for words, and Kissinger’s eyes narrowed.
“Is that not possible?”
“That is… nearly impossible. If we halt Newton now…”
Resignation from the board, frozen investnt funds, and now the withdrawal of their flagship product?
It would be the death sentence for Theranos.
However, Kissinger’s expression showed no sign of wavering.
In that mont, Hols made her decision.
“…Very well. I will discreetly pull the product from the market. But in return, I have one request.”
Locking eyes with Kissinger, she spoke with resolve.
“Co back to the board.”
"……"
Kissinger’s expression twisted montarily, but Hols remained unfazed and continued speaking.
“I deeply regret the mistakes of the past. This ti, I will ensure absolute transparency in managent. I will also completely reform my autocratic leadership style. But to achieve that, I still need your wisdom.”
She pleaded as sincerely as possible, but Kissinger’s frozen gaze showed no signs of thawing.
“Trust has already been broken.”
“Then please propose a solution. If we close our doors like this, Theranos will disappear into history. That is… sothing I absolutely cannot accept. If everything crumbles due to such misunderstandings… If you present a solution, I will do my best to quietly restore order.”
Hols emphasized the word *quietly* deliberately.
That was precisely what Kissinger desperately desired.
However, for that to happen, Hols’s cooperation was essential.
How would Kissinger respond?
“A solution… I will think about it and contact you again.”
And with that, the eting ca to an end.
***
‘It’s not perfect, but…’
The situation was more hopeful than expected.
In fact, it could be considered a better outco than anticipated.
Upon returning to the hotel, Hols imdiately convened a strategy eting with the lawyer.
“Kissinger will not take the stand. He wants this situation to be resolved as quietly as possible.”
And the only person who could offer that resolution was Hols.
From now on, she just had to maintain continuous contact with Kissinger and handle the matter ‘quietly and discreetly’.
“During the trial, I plan to comply with Kissinger’s requests as much as possible. If necessary, I’m even considering taking the extre asure of temporarily halting Newton’s operations for the duration of the lawsuit.”
Newton’s operation would only be suspended until the lawsuit was completely concluded.
Then, the mont the final verdict was announced and the witnesses' testimonies lost their legal effect, the system could be imdiately reinstated.
“To make that happen, we need to wrap up the lawsuit as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
“There is room to utilize an expedited trial process.”
“Prepare thoroughly for that approach. And…”
Hols’s gaze shifted to her younger brother, Theranos’s head of public relations.
“The key here is ‘quiet resolution’. The suspension of Newton’s operations must also avoid public attention. If even a minor disturbance arises, we don’t know how Kissinger will react.”
Kissinger already distrusted Hols.
The only reason he was showing a willingness to cooperate was clear—
To protect his reputation, he wanted to resolve this issue as discreetly as possible.
Their strategy had to be built around this understanding.
And then, just as they were reviewing multiple possible approaches—
Knock knock!
Suddenly, the secretary opened the door and walked in.
‘I specifically told them not to interrupt during an important eting…!’
However, she couldn’t get angry.
The secretary was holding a tablet with a grave expression.
“I apologize. You instructed to report any news related to Ha Si-heon imdiately…”
Ha Si-heon?
Hols swiftly snatched the tablet from the secretary’s hands.
A news article was displayed on the screen.
Rumors were shaking Wall Street that Ha Si-heon, the central figure of the Epicura incident, had been sued by Dex Slater for defamation.
In response, Ha Si-heon’s side strongly denied the allegations, stating, "There is absolutely no truth to this."
However, according to multiple financial industry insiders…
The color drained from Hols’s face.
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