Chapter 5 - ETHAN’S ALLERGY WAS CONNECTED TO A CLINICAL TRIALJulian explained something Dominic had forgotten.
Ethan’s allergy had once been part of a private research discussion.
Not experimentation on Ethan.
Data.
When Ethan was diagnosed at four, Julian asked permission to anonymize aspects of his case for Vale Pediatric Nutrition’s allergen-detection research.
Dominic and Ava agreed.
The company was developing rapid food-allergen sensors.
Ethan’s sample profile helped calibrate one test.
Four years later, that technology was worth enormous money.
Vale Pediatric Nutrition was preparing to license the system to hospitals and food manufacturers.
Projected contract value:
Hundreds of millions.
Then Julian said:
“There’s a patent dispute.”
Dominic frowned.
“With whom?”
“A former researcher.”
Name:
Dr. Caleb Morrison.
He claimed the sensor technology used work he developed before joining Vale.
The company disputed that.
Lawsuit pending.
What did that have to do with Ethan?
Julian looked sick.
“His allergy profile is referenced in early laboratory validation.”
Not by name.
By coded sample.
But internal files linked the code to Ethan.
If someone could create an incident suggesting Vale knowingly mishandled the CEO’s own child’s allergy at a company-sponsored event—
the licensing deal could collapse.
Dominic stared.
“So Ethan might not have been targeted for inheritance.”
Julian nodded.
“He may have been targeted because hurting him would damage the company.”
May you like
That was somehow worse.
A child turned into corporate leverage.
