Chapter 44

The two sides held friendly consultations in the time that followed.

Norman Osborn would sponsor two billion dollars in the form of a private investment as initial startup capital.

Furthermore, over the coming period, he would gradually shift the focus of research toward the development of "Compound V."

If not for his concerns about the military, Norman would have loved to move the entire pharmaceutical research team over immediately.

And so, Alvin transformed magnificently from an unemployed drifter into a director of Vought Biopharmaceutical!

Vought Biopharmaceutical claimed to the outside world that it was researching drugs for human health, but in reality, this was just a front used to deceive the military and the political sphere.

"Since we have already reached a cooperation..."

Norman's eyes were filled with greed and longing as he looked at the "Compound V."

He believed that if he weren't intimidated by the extraordinary abilities Alvin had displayed, he probably would have been unable to suppress the greed in his heart long ago.

"Of course, it's yours, starting from now."

Alvin tossed it casually, as if he didn't care at all about the value of the vial in his hand.

Norman was scared half to death by his action; when he hurriedly reached out to catch it, he discovered that the vial was floating quietly in mid-air, as if held up by an invisible hand.

"No need to be so nervous, Mr. Norman." Alvin moved his index finger slightly, and the vial slowly landed in Norman's palm: "With me here, nothing will go wrong."

Looking at the deep blue vial in his palm, Norman's heart beat uncontrollably.

Just this one seemingly ordinary vial could stimulate the superpowers within the human body, thereby completely breaking free from the limitations of a mortal!

Even Norman Osborn, who held hundreds of billions in assets and stood at the pinnacle of American capital, could barely control that greedy desire and wanted to inject the vial immediately!

However, Alvin had long since guessed Norman's thoughts and said unhurriedly: "By the way, there is one thing I must remind you of, Mr. Norman."

Norman was suddenly startled by his voice and turned to look at Alvin: "What is it?"

"This vial of Compound V is not perfect." Alvin said with a smile: "Its duration of effect is only 24 hours, and it will be accompanied by unknown, massive side effects."

"What?!"

A simple sentence completely dispelled Norman's little schemes.

"Isn't this quite normal, Mr. Norman?" Alvin crossed his right leg over his left, placed his hands on his knees, and smiled calmly in the face of Norman's shocked and angry gaze: "If it were a perfect Compound V, why would I need to come find you for cooperation? Wouldn't you agree?"

Norman was instantly rendered speechless; looking back at the Compound V in his hand, it didn't seem quite as tempting anymore.

"Of course, I wasn't lying to you just now, Mr. Norman."

Alvin lowered his leg, leaned forward slightly, and said in a low voice, like a devil's temptation: "A perfect Compound V will permanently grant superpowers without any side effects, and I... am the best example. So, Mr. Norman, please work hard."

"Heh, I understand what you mean..."

Norman closed his eyes, suddenly couldn't help but chuckle a few times, then opened his eyes again to look at Alvin: "You are warning me not to have any crooked ideas, right?"

If he really couldn't control himself and injected the vial behind the other's back, he would undoubtedly be a lamb waiting for slaughter once the ability wore off after 24 hours!

"It's great that you can understand."

Alvin did not deny his intention; in fact, he was indeed putting pressure on "Norman."

"You're not very old, but your mind is quite deep." Norman was not offended; instead, he showed a hint of appreciation: "Good, what I want is not a temporary vial, but a perfect Compound V, so cooperation is the best choice. I like your straightforwardness!"

"Then, I wish us a happy cooperation, Mr. Norman."

Alvin raised his teacup, a smile appearing on his face: "Believe me, this will be the most correct decision you have ever made in your life!"

"To Vought!"

"To the future!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, finishing the tea in their cups.

Vought Biopharmaceutical Group was officially launched today, with Alvin Velsius as Executive Director, Norman Osborn as a board member, and Tony Stark, who was still kept in the dark!

New York time, 8:37 PM, night fell, and the lights began to twinkle.

With a sleek emergency brake, the silver-black Lamborghini stopped in front of the magnificent mansion hosting the charity gala.

Countless reporters waited at the entrance; upon seeing the license plate of that Lamborghini, they surged forward excitedly, holding up all sorts of cameras and microphones, holding their breath as they waited for that legendary man.

The scissor doors swung upward, and the moment Alvin stepped out, the expectation in the reporters' eyes turned to astonishment and disappointment.

"Why isn't it Tony Stark?"

"Yeah, isn't this Tony Stark's car? Who is this guy!"

The reporters were all dumbfounded; they had expected Tony Stark, but instead, someone they didn't recognize had stepped out.

"Hey, Mr. Velsius, I'm over here!"

Suddenly, Obadiah, a veteran figure of Stark Industries and Tony's uncle, came down the red carpet steps with a warm face, opening his arms to embrace Alvin.

Obadiah's action made the previously disappointed reporters look like sharks that had smelled blood, their eyes gleaming.

Everyone wasn't stupid; Obadiah was a veteran of Stark Industries, and someone who could be treated so solemnly by him was definitely not simple!

"Mr. Obadiah, it's an honor to meet you."

Alvin returned the embrace with equal enthusiasm.

"I want to thank you on Tony's behalf, Mr. Velsius."

Obadiah patted his shoulder hard and sighed: "If it weren't for you, he might have died in Afghanistan. You don't know how worried I was about him; thank goodness Tony is back!"

"Tony and I are friends; this is what I should have done." Alvin put on his habitual fake smile.

Honestly, if he didn't know the plot, he might not have doubted Obadiah's acting skills.

It was just that his methods were a bit too crude.

"Everyone, I would like to solemnly introduce to you, Mr. Alvin Velsius!"

Obadiah held his hand and announced high-profile to the surrounding businessmen, politicians, and reporters: "He is the hero who single-handedly wiped out the entire organization from the hands of Middle Eastern terrorists and rescued Tony Stark. Let us warmly welcome Mr. Alvin Velsius!"

Fine, fine, fine, you dog, so that's how you want to play?

Alvin put on a fake smile, but in his heart, he had already severely marked Obadiah.

You bastard, Tony deliberately hid the experience of his escape to protect Alvin, and this son of a bitch went and leaked it!

Alvin didn't even need to think to know that many eyes would be on him after today!

Among them, naturally, included S. H. I. E. L. D.!

As for why, the reason was simple.

Alvin had just seen the Black Widow, dressed in a black dress and disguised as a gala guest, in the crowd.