Chapter 550
Su Quan smiled and said, "Then, as a friend, can you do me a favor?"
"You say."
"If I invest in Dr. Morbius's project, can you become my spokesperson for the project?"
Su Quan shrugged and said with a smile, "You know, a big shot like me definitely has a lot of things to do, so..."
Martina Bancroft was somewhat surprised. What did being a spokesperson mean?
This means that she represents the investors, and that she went from being a newcomer to one of the project's leaders in an instant.
Even if he doesn't hold the power of life and death over this project, he is still considered to be in a high position of power.
Martina Bancroft hesitated for a moment, then said tentatively, "Of course I'd love to, but—why me?"
Why did you choose me to be your spokesperson when we only met for the first time?
Even if something like this fell from the sky happened to me, there would have to be a reason, right? Is it just because I'm pretty, or because I work on this project?
Three reasons!
Su Quan smiled and held up three fingers, then lowered them as he spoke, "First reason: You're very beautiful!"
"I have feelings for you, you should be able to guess that!"
Martina Bancroft nodded slightly, not feeling uncomfortable with Su Quan's directness. After all, men have thoughts when they see beautiful women, and women have thoughts when they see handsome men.
Su Quan's desire for himself is precisely proof of his charm!
Of course, most importantly, Su Quan himself was also attractive to her.
Young, handsome, rich, and wealthy—who wouldn't like that?
If it were a pot-bellied, balding old man who said to her, do you think she would just walk away?
"The second reason: You're very professional!"
"Your medical doctor from Empire State University, a hematologist, has the expertise to handle this project and ensure its smooth progress while protecting my interests."
Martina Bancroft nodded. Although her talent was not as good as Professor Morbius's, her basic professional knowledge was by no means inferior. Putting aside other aspects, at least in the area of project procurement, no one could fool her.
"The third reason: I understand you!"
Martina Bancroft wasn't portrayed much in the film.
She started as Morbius's colleague, then inexplicably developed a romantic relationship with Morbius without any characterization or foreshadowing, and became his lover. In the end, she was killed during Morbius's battle with his good brother who became the villain, and inexplicably became a female vampire.
You could say she's just a replaceable pretty face!
In the comics, Morbius himself is a nobody, let alone Morbius girlfriend.
Incidentally, Morbius is also portrayed as a villain and anti-hero, and he was once a member of the Midnight Sons, a supernatural group composed of Ghost Rider, Blade, Doctor Strange, the Thing, Man-Wolf, Iron Fist, Moon Knight, Hellstorm, and others.
Returning to Martina Bancroft, although she doesn't have many scenes, her limited portrayal still reveals her to be an upright, courageous, and worthy person to befriend.
She would never betray her friends if something happened!
After explaining his three reasons, Su Quan looked at her with a smile, waiting for her reply.
Martina Bancroft didn't take long to consider it, or rather, she was already thinking about it when Su Quan spoke, so she only hesitated for a few seconds before giving her answer.
"Thank you so much for your recognition and trust. If you do become an investor in this project, I am willing to work for you and do everything I can to repay your trust!"
Su Quan raised his glass and chuckled, "Then wish me well, shall I?"
Will my wishes come true? Which wish? To become an investor in this project, or—to win the heart of my beloved?
Martina Bancroft didn't think much of it, or rather, she wasn't resistant. After all, it was a two-way street, and if she was really moved, it wouldn't be a bad thing!
This is where you can see the difference between Martina Bancroft and Gwen Stacy.
Gwen Stacy is very resistant to relationships that arise from the workplace, while Martina Bancroft doesn't care about the reasons for such relationships, but rather cares about her own feelings and whether she is moved.
Of course, regardless of the type, their core issue is the same: whether or not they are moved!
For example, unspoken rules.
Gwen Stacy wouldn't accept that. If she were to fall for him, she might quit her job and be with him outside of work.
Of course, if you've already started dating outside of work and developed feelings for each other, that's a different story.
Moreover, this is not part of the example content.
If it were Martina Bancroft, she wouldn't care whether it was within or outside the workplace; as long as the person made her heart flutter, the way they got together or their status didn't matter at all!
That's why in the movie, she talks about an office romance with Morbius at work, and it's a purely platonic one at that.
After all, before becoming an alternative vampire, Morbius was a frail cripple who frequently needed blood transfusions, walked with a cane, and could be blown away by a strong wind!
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Having almost established a superior-subordinate relationship, Martina Bancroft relaxed and began to enjoy the food at the upscale restaurant.
This was her first time dining at a restaurant like this. Whether it was the chef's skill that was truly exceptional or just the prestige of a Michelin-starred restaurant, Martina Bancroft thought the food was absolutely amazing!
More than an hour later, Su Quan and Martina Bancroft walked out of the restaurant, where Felicia Hardy, who had been waiting, drove to the door and picked them up.
"Boss, where to?" Felicia Hardy asked without looking to either side, dutifully playing the role of driver.
Upon hearing Felicia Hardy's question, Su Quan smiled and asked Martina Bancroft, "Where to?"
"Uh—if it's convenient, could you take me home?" Martina Bancroft said somewhat awkwardly.
Why is it unnatural?
Given the circumstances, this question and answer carries a hint, which could easily lead to misunderstandings.
Imagine this: a young, handsome, and important person invites you to dinner at a high-class restaurant, gives you a chance to rise to the top in one step, and clearly expresses his interest in you.
After you finished dinner and got into the car from the restaurant, he asked you where you were going.
Only someone with a very straightforward and taciturn personality would think that someone is genuinely asking "Where are you going?"
Martina Bancroft was about to give her home address when she noticed that the young and beautiful female driver had already started the car.
"You... do you know where my home is?" Martina Bancroft asked in confusion.
Felicia Hardy replied without looking at him, "Of course."
"Why?"
"You are a guest invited by the master, and I am his assistant. As an assistant, I naturally need to know the guest's basic information. Otherwise, if I don't know anything when the master asks, I will lose this job."
It sounded reasonable, and there seemed to be no problem, but Martina Bancroft felt that something was off.
Although home address is considered basic information, I did not voluntarily disclose it. You are not an official agency, so is it an invasion of my privacy to investigate my information without notifying me?
Martina Bancroft muttered a few words to herself, but didn't take it to heart.
After all, Su Quan would definitely have investigated him beforehand, just like a background check before joining a big company or working for a big shot, which is perfectly normal!
Not long after, the car stopped in front of an apartment building.
"I have arrived."
"Um."
"You--"
Just when Su Quan thought the atmosphere had been set right and Martina Bancroft was about to invite him upstairs, Felicia Hardy received a phone call, gave a slightly serious and heavy "hmm," and then hung up.
"Sir, you may need to go to the company," Felicia Hardy said, turning to Su Quan.
Felicia Hardy is well aware of her relationship with the Osborn Industries, and there are only two possible reasons why she would say this now.
Either something happened to the Osborns, or something went wrong with the Interspecies Genetic Project.
Upon releasing his Psychic Abilities, Su Quan's brows immediately furrowed.
A moment later.
Withdrawing his Psychic Abilities, he shrugged at Martina Bancroft and said with a smile, "Looks like I'll have to try your coffee next time."
"Ah, okay, no problem."
Martina Bancroft responded, then suddenly realized that she hadn't invited him for coffee, or at least—hadn't said it!
Knowing that Su Quan had to go back to the company to handle some matters, she didn't say much. She nodded, said goodbye, and got out of the car.
"Goodbye."
Su Quan smiled and replied, and after Martina Bancroft turned and went upstairs, he signaled Felicia Hardy to drive away.
On the way to the Osborn Tower, Felicia Hardy told Su Quan what had happened.
In short, the company's security personnel discovered signs of vandalism in Professor Curt Connors' laboratory and, for security reasons, immediately checked the laboratory's surveillance footage.
At first, everything seemed normal. Professor Curt Connors and Peter Parker were running a simulation experiment on the computer, and the experiment was successful. However, the two of them were not excited at all, and after talking about something, Peter Parker angrily left.
After that, things started to go wrong. Professor Curt Connors was conducting another simulation experiment, became somewhat erratic. He took out mice, made serum, and then injected himself with the serum.
Pain, struggle, coma.
More than ten minutes later, Professor Curt Connors woke up. Not only did he wake up, but his severed arm also grew back in a very strange way!