The two sides held friendly discussions over the following period.
Norman Osborn would provide two billion dollars in private investment as the initial start-up capital.
Over the following period, he would gradually shift the focus of his research toward developing Compound V.
If he hadn't been concerned about the military, Norman would have loved to move his entire pharmaceutical research team over at once.
And so, Alvin went from being unemployed to becoming a director of Vought Biopharmaceutical Company in the blink of an eye!
On the surface, Vought Biopharmaceutical Company claimed to research drugs that promoted human health, but in reality, it was just a front to fool the military and politicians.
"Now that we've reached an agreement..."
Norman's gaze as he looked at Compound V was filled with greed and longing.
If he hadn't been intimidated by the extraordinary abilities Alvin had displayed, Norman would probably have given in to his greed long ago.
"Of course. It's yours, starting now."
Alvin casually tossed it over, as if he didn't care at all about the value of the vial in his hand.
Norman was nearly scared out of his wits by the gesture. He hurriedly reached out to catch it, only to find the vial hovering motionless in midair, as if supported by an invisible hand.
"Don't be so nervous, Mr. Osborn." Alvin twitched his index finger, and the vial slowly descended into Norman's palm. "Nothing will happen while I'm here."
Staring at the azure liquid in his palm, Norman's heart pounded uncontrollably.
A seemingly ordinary vial like this could awaken superpowers in the human body, allowing someone to break free from the limits of ordinary mortals!
Even Norman Osborn, who controlled assets worth hundreds of billions and stood at the pinnacle of American capitalism, could barely restrain his greed. He wanted to inject himself with the serum right then and there!
However, Alvin had already guessed what Norman was thinking. He calmly said, "By the way, there's something I should warn you about, Mr. Osborn."
Norman was jolted out of his thoughts by Alvin's voice, then turned to look at him. "What is it?"
"This Compound V isn't perfect," Alvin said with a smile. "Its effects only last for twenty-four hours, and it comes with severe, unknown side effects."
"What?!"
That one simple sentence completely extinguished Norman's secret hopes.
"Isn't that perfectly normal, Mr. Osborn?" Alvin crossed his right leg over his left and folded his hands over his knee. Facing Norman's shocked and furious expression, he smiled calmly. "If Compound V were flawless, why would I have come to you for a partnership? Don't you think?"
Norman was left speechless. The Compound V in his hand suddenly seemed a lot less tempting.
"Of course, I wasn't lying to you just now, Mr. Osborn."
Alvin uncrossed his legs and leaned forward slightly. In a low voice, like a devil tempting his prey, he said, "Perfect Compound V grants superpowers permanently, without any side effects. I'm the best example of that. So, Mr. Osborn, make sure you work hard."
"Heh, I understand what you mean."
Norman closed his eyes and couldn't help letting out a few quiet laughs. Then he opened them again and looked at Alvin. "You're warning me not to get any funny ideas, aren't you?"
If he really couldn't restrain himself and secretly injected the serum, then once his powers wore off after twenty-four hours, he'd be nothing but a lamb waiting to be slaughtered!
"I'm glad you understand."
Alvin didn't deny his intentions. In fact, he had been deliberately putting Norman in his place.
"You're young, but you've got a lot on your mind." Norman didn't seem offended. Instead, there was even a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Good. I don't want a temporary serum. I want perfect Compound V, so working together is the best choice. I like your straightforwardness!"
"Then here's to a successful partnership, Mr. Osborn."
Alvin raised his teacup, a smile appearing on his face. "Believe me, this will be the best decision you ever make!"
"To Vought!"
"To the future!"
The two exchanged smiles and drained their cups of tea.
Vought Biopharmaceutical Group Company officially launched today, with executive director Alvin Valshius, board member Norman Osborn, and Tony Stark, who remained blissfully unaware!
At 8:37 p.m. New York time, night fell and the city lights came on.
With a stylish screeching stop, a silver-and-black Lamborghini pulled up in front of the grand mansion hosting the charity gala.
Countless reporters were waiting at the entrance. When they saw the Lamborghini's license plate, they excitedly surged forward, raising an assortment of cameras and microphones as they held their breath, waiting for the legendary man to appear.
The scissor door swung upward. The moment Alvin stepped out, the eager reporters' anticipation turned to shock and disappointment.
"Why isn't it Tony Stark?"
"Yeah, isn't this Tony Stark's car? Who's this guy?"
The reporters were dumbfounded. They had expected Tony Stark, but instead, a complete stranger stepped out.
"Hey, Mr. Valshius, over here!"
Obadiah, a senior figure at Stark Industries Group and Tony's uncle, came down the red-carpeted steps with great enthusiasm, arms spread wide as he went to embrace Alvin.
Obadiah's gesture made the disappointed reporters' eyes gleam. They were like sharks catching the scent of blood.
They weren't fools. Obadiah was a veteran of Stark Industries Group. Anyone he treated with such respect couldn't be ordinary!
"Mr. Obadiah, it's an honor to meet you."
Alvin returned the embrace with equal enthusiasm.
"I have to thank you on Tony's behalf, Mr. Valshius."
Obadiah patted him firmly on the shoulder and said with a sigh, "If it weren't for you, he might have died in Afghanistan. You have no idea how worried I was about him. Thank goodness Tony came back!"
"Tony's my friend. It was the least I could do." Alvin wore his usual fake smile.
Honestly, if he hadn't known the story, Obadiah's acting might have kept him from suspecting anything.
It was just that his methods were a bit too crude.
"Everyone, allow me to introduce Mr. Alvin Valshius!"
Obadiah took Alvin by the hand and announced grandly to the surrounding businesspeople, politicians, and reporters, "He's the hero who single-handedly wiped out an entire terrorist organization in the Middle East and rescued Tony Stark! Let's give a warm welcome to Mr. Alvin Valshius!"
All right, you son of a bitch. So this was how you wanted to play it?
Alvin wore a fake smile, but inwardly, he made a mental note to settle the score with Obadiah.
Damn it. Tony had deliberately kept his escape a secret to protect Alvin, and now this bastard had let the cat out of the bag!
Alvin didn't even have to think about it to know that, after today, plenty of people would be watching him!
Among them, naturally, would be S.H.I.E.L.D.!
And why? Simple.
Alvin had just spotted a woman in a black dress in the crowd, dressed as though she were attending the gala: Ms. Black Widow.
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