Chapter 44

Over the following period, both sides engaged in friendly consultations.

Norman Osborn will sponsor two billion U.S. dollars as initial startup capital through private investment.

Furthermore, over the coming period, the research focus will gradually shift toward the development of the 'Compound Five'.

If not for concerns regarding the military, Norman would have moved the entire pharmaceutical research team over immediately.

Thus, Alvin transformed from a jobless drifter into a director of Watertech Biopharmaceutical Company.

Watertech Biopharmaceutical Company publicly claimed to research drugs for human health, but in truth, it was merely a facade to deceive the military and political circles.

"Now that we have reached an agreement..."

Norman’s gaze toward 'Compound Five' was filled with greed and longing.

Had it not been for Alvin’s extraordinary abilities, Norman would have long since succumbed to his inner avarice.

"Of course, it’s yours now—from this moment on."

Alvin casually tossed it, as if utterly indifferent to the value of the vial in his hand.

Norman nearly died of shock, frantically reaching out to catch it—only to find the vial hovering motionless in midair, as if held by an invisible hand.

"Don’t be so tense, Mr. Osborn." Alvin flicked his index finger slightly, and the vial drifted gently into Norman’s palm: "With me here, nothing will go wrong."

Gazing at the azure vial in his palm, Norman’s heart beat uncontrollably.

This seemingly ordinary vial could awaken superhuman abilities within a human body, utterly breaking free from mortal limitations!

Even Norman Osborn, who held hundreds of billions in assets and stood atop American capital, nearly lost control of his greed and wanted to inject it on the spot.

Yet Alvin had already anticipated Norman’s thoughts, speaking calmly: "By the way, there’s one thing I must remind you of, Mr. Osborn."

Norman snapped back to attention, turning to Alvin: "What is it?"

"This vial of Compound Five is not perfect," Alvin smiled. "Its effects last only twenty-four hours, and come with unknown, severe side effects."

"What?!"

A single simple sentence completely shattered Norman’s hidden intentions.

"Isn’t that normal, Mr. Osborn?" Alvin crossed his right leg over his left, hands folded on his knee, and smiled serenely at Norman’s stunned and furious gaze: "If Compound Five were flawless, why would I have come to you for cooperation? Don’t you agree?"

Norman fell silent, and the Compound Five in his hand no longer seemed so alluring.

"Of course, I wasn’t lying to you just now, Mr. Osborn."

Alvin uncrossed his legs, leaned forward slightly, his voice low like a demon’s temptation: "A perfect Compound Five would grant permanent superpowers with zero side effects—and I... am the best example. So, Mr. Osborn, please work hard."

"Heh, I understand your meaning..."

Norman closed his eyes, then let out a low chuckle, reopening them to stare at Alvin: "You’re warning me not to entertain other schemes, aren’t you?"

If he had truly lost control and injected the vial without telling Alvin, once the twenty-four-hour effect wore off, he’d be nothing but a lamb awaiting slaughter!

"It’s best that you understand."

Alvin made no denial of his intent—he was indeed striking at 'Norman'.

"Young, but your mind is heavy," Norman said, not with disgust but with a hint of admiration: "Good. What I want isn’t a temporary potion, but a flawless Compound Five. Cooperation is the best path. I appreciate your straightforwardness!"

"Then, let us wish for a fruitful partnership, Mr. Osborn."

Alvin raised his teacup, a smile forming on his face: "Believe me, this will be the wisest decision of your life!"

"To Watertech!"

"To the future!"

The two exchanged smiles and drained their teacups.

Watertech Biopharmaceutical Group officially launched today, with Executive Director Alvin Valthius, Board Member Norman Osborn, and the still-unaware Tony Stark!

New York time, 8:37 p.m., night had fallen, lights glimmered across the city.

A sleek silver-and-black Lamborghini screeched to a halt before the grand mansion hosting the charity gala.

Dozens of reporters waited at the entrance; upon seeing the car’s license plate, they surged forward excitedly, raising cameras and microphones, holding their breath for the legendary man.

The scissor doors lifted, and as Alvin stepped out, the reporters’ eager anticipation turned to shock and disappointment.

"Why isn’t it Tony Stark?"

"But that’s Tony Stark’s car! Who the hell is this guy?!"

The reporters stared blankly—they had expected Tony Stark, but instead, a complete stranger emerged.

"Hey, Mr. Valthius, over here!"

Suddenly, Obadiah Stane, a senior figure of Stark Industries and Tony’s uncle, descended the red carpet steps with a beaming smile, arms wide to embrace Alvin.

Obadiah’s gesture turned the reporters’ disappointment into sharp interest, like sharks scenting blood.

They weren’t fools—Obadiah was a founding pillar of Stark Industries; anyone he treated with such gravity could not be ordinary.

"Mr. Stane, it’s an honor to meet you."

Alvin returned the embrace with equal warmth.

"I must thank you on Tony’s behalf, Mr. Valthius."

Obadiah clapped his shoulder hard, sighing: "Without you, he might have died in Afghanistan. You have no idea how worried I was—thank heaven Tony came back!"

"Tony and I are friends; I merely did what any friend would." Alvin offered his habitual false smile.

Honestly, had he not known the plot, Obadiah’s performance might have fooled him.

But his methods were crude indeed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to formally introduce Mr. Alvin Valthius!"

Obadiah gripped his hand and announced loudly to the merchants, politicians, and reporters: "He is the hero who single-handedly eradicated an entire terrorist organization in the Middle East and rescued Tony Stark! Let us give a warm welcome to Mr. Alvin Valthius!"

Fine, you bastard—you’re playing it this way, are you?

Alvin’s face wore a false smile, but inside, he had already marked Obadiah down in blood.

Fuck this guy—Tony deliberately concealed his escape to protect Alvin, and now this son of a bitch has exposed it!

Alvin didn’t need to think to know that after today, countless eyes would turn toward him.

Naturally, that included S.H.I.E.L.D.!

As for why? The reason was simple.

Alvin had just spotted, among the crowd, the woman dressed in a black gown—Black Widow, posing as a gala guest.