Chapter 194
Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire
[Ding!]
[Congratulations! Daily Quest Completed!]
[You have been rewarded with (1) takeaway:
—<Randomized Duration Window> feature ]
[Congratulations, host]
———
The following day was scheduled to address head on the doping accusation on Trampos’ star driver Luca Rennick.
The FIA would send representatives to lay the matter to Trampos and Luca himself, also providing the list and sequence of activities leading to the final test that would determine if he did dope or not.
Luca would get to the headquarters early and sit for their own private tests by Mr. Ammermann and his crew. Afterwards, he’d listen to the Federation’s proceedings and know what’s next on their jurisdiction.
After reading today’s own newspaper, Luca lowered the paper with a small frown. He closed and folded it, walking to the side of the living room before disposing it off in a specific container for old newspapers prepped for recycling.
Today’s news had a special headline. “SPORTS INTEGRITY BREACH.”
Nothing intrigued the press more than delivering information about a cheating scandal involving illicit enhancement—especially when it involved a rising star, someone who was just as quick to face criticism as he was to receive praise.
Luca disliked the way they over-exaggerated everything, using more impactful, far-fetched adjectives just to spice up the story and hook their audience. Now, with the way it was worded, it almost felt like he had actually taken illegal enhancements “to better his shot at F1,” just as they claimed.
One thing Luca hoped the media wasn’t exaggerating was the fan reaction to the enhancement controversy and the growing demand for a substance screening to clear his name and remove him from the racing suspension list.
The news outlet reported that many Germans weren’t taking the accusation well, finding the timing suspicious—almost as if the FIA itself had orchestrated the situation to keep Luca out of the Italian Mega Prix.
Reports indicated that on social media, German users had flooded FIA’s posts, calling the Federation “corrupt,” “opportunistic frauds,” and “power-hungry dictators.” Insults poured in, violating what was meant to be a neutral space—just 12 hours after Luca’s Anti-Doping Scrutiny was announced.
It wasn’t hard to see why they were enraged.
This was Trampos’ first real shot at a championship, a historic moment that would indirectly represent the country. And with Luca playing a crucial role in what was set to be a decisive finale, they weren’t about to let anything abruptly strip it away from them.
Many already feared that the Federation would deliberately drag out the scrutiny, forcing Luca to watch the Italian Mega Prix from the paddock instead of competing. This was the fans’ way of making it clear that they weren’t going to let it slide.
Luca left home with a black mask covering his face, adjusting it slightly as he stepped into the car. He was beginning to understand why public security measures were necessary.
With a black mask, he’d look like any other young German male in the crowd if he happened to step out of the car in public.
Luca arrived early at the headquarters, greeted everyone and went straight to the medical department building.
Caitlyn and her other nurses welcomed Luca in without delay as they got ready to begin.
Dr. Ammermann turned from the counter, adjusting his glasses as he studied Luca. He reminded him of the importance of this test, emphasizing that their internal screening needed to be just as rigorous—if not more—than the FIA’s. If they could preempt the official results, they would have an advantage.
Caitlyn pulled on a fresh pair of latex gloves, explaining that they would begin with a urine sample. Handing him a sealed sterile collection cup, she pointed toward the clinic’s restroom. Luca took it without a word and disappeared behind the door.
A minute later, he returned, placing the container in her outstretched hands. She immediately sealed and labeled it before storing it in a transport case for analysis.
The next was blood sample test.
This would a provide more precise, real-time snapshot of substances in the system. Blood sample test was particularly used to detect substances which might not always appear in urine tests.
Caitlyn carefully snipped a small section of Luca’s hair from the root when it was time for the hair follicle analysis.
Unlike urine and blood, hair testing would provide a long-term record of drug use, sometimes up to 90 days.
It is particularly effective for detecting steroids, amphetamines, and anabolic agents that may have been taken weeks before a race.
It’d likely be the most scrutinized test the FIA would make in Luca’s case.
After sealing the hair in a bag and labelling it, Mr. Ammermann asked Luca to lay on the bed whilst he conducted a physical evaluation.
For example, standard checks like heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, would hint at the possibility of any substance being taken.
Mr. Ammermann confirmed everything fell within the normal range and he assured Luca that the samples would be sent to their independent lab immediately. If anything questionable surfaced, they would know before the Federation did.
Luca exhaled, finally relaxing a bit as he sat up.
“How long until we get the results?”
“For urine and blood? Within 24 hours. Hair will take longer—maybe a few days. But if everything comes back clean, we’ll have enough leverage to counter any Federation claims before they make a ruling.”
Luca nodded in acknowledgment, buttoning up his shirt before leaving the clinic and heading toward the main buildings.
The board was already assembled, preparing for the arrival of the Federation representatives. Every department head, including Mr. Ammermann himself, would be present at the table, ready to be briefed on the situation.
As Luca entered and greeted them, he immediately noticed the somber atmosphere that had settled over Trampos. A tension hung in the air, heavier than he had expected. He had hoped that the dark cloud of uncertainty had passed after Ansel’s ordeal, but it was clear that this new crisis had revived old anxieties.
What he didn’t realize was just how deeply troubled the board was. The doping accusations weren’t just an attack on his career—they threatened Trampos’ entire championship campaign. If the situation dragged on, their title hopes could be compromised.
And just as Luca’s eligibility for the Italian Mega Prix was looking uncertain, his agent, Mallow, had informed the board that he had started entertaining offers from F1 teams regarding Luca’s move to the top division.