Although the Recovery Serum Oaks concocted did have beautifying, skincare, and scar-removing effects, it could save lives when used properly.
And now Tony wanted to use it as a skincare product?
Well, it was no big deal. After all, it had yet to demonstrate its heaven-defying restorative effects.
Come to think of it, the first person to buy the stuff had apparently been a beautiful woman who wanted to use it to remove scars too?
Had Tony somehow found a trial report?
Oaks shook his head. Even if one existed, it would not have been on the little forum where he had originally posted the announcement. Or perhaps she had not gotten around to using it yet?
"No problem. Recovery Serum is five thousand dollars a bottle, clearly priced. As for the effects, it crushes every skincare product currently on the market."
"That confident?"
Tony wore an expression that said, "Sure, keep talking big."
"You know, I generally prefer seeing things for myself. Plenty of beauties on magazine covers do not live up to the hype, so I always like to invite them over for a closer inspection."
"Easy enough."
Oaks got up, brought over a bottle of Recovery Serum, and nodded at Tony.
"Mind if I borrow your driver?"
"Happy, cooperate."
"Yes, sir."
Happy stepped forward, then said awkwardly, "Uh, sir, I do have scars, but they are in a rather embarrassing location."
"..."
Tony gave Happy's backside a meaningful glance. Happy immediately clenched up and hastily waved his hands.
"No, no, no, it's not hemorrhoids..."
"It's fine. Just hold out your hand."
Oaks extended a finger and drew it across the back of Happy's outstretched right hand.
"Pardon me."
"Ah!"
Happy winced in pain and saw that Oaks's neatly trimmed fingernail had cut a small gash across the back of his hand. Blood began to flow.
"Were you hiding a scalpel between your fingers?"
That sort of business spirit—creating a wound when there was none just to demonstrate the product—was truly admirable.
It would have been even more admirable if he had not used Happy's hand for the demonstration.
"Tony, a wound of this size would take several days to heal completely without leaving a scar. So now..."
Oaks dripped a single drop of Recovery Serum onto Happy's wound.
"Wow..."
Tony could not help opening his mouth.
Right before his eyes, Happy's wound began healing at a visible rate from the moment it touched that drop of Recovery Serum. A few dozen seconds later, Happy rubbed it with his fingers, and the spot looked as though it had never been cut at all!
"That's incredible, sir!"
Happy rubbed his eyes and repeatedly rubbed his right hand.
"I felt a very cool sensation over the wound... It healed before it even had time to itch!"
"Oaks, are you really not going to reconsider becoming Stark Industries' environmental consultant?"
Tony had already risen to his feet.
"How about being my personal health consultant? Five million dollars a year, and you would not have to deal with any other shareholders at all!"
"Maybe later. So, do you understand what the serum can do now?"
Oaks had to admit that he was somewhat tempted, but he could cooperate with Stark Industries—or rather, Tony Stark—but not in that manner.
"If you can invest in environmental development in New York, perhaps I will accept your health consultation offer."
Oaks screwed the cap back on and tossed the bottle to Happy, who hurriedly caught it.
"Hey! That's worth several thousand dollars!"
"New York environmental protection? Charity work?"
Seeing that Oaks had not tossed the serum directly to him, Tony's lips curled upward. Though he still tried hard to maintain his cool image, the way he looked at Oaks had clearly changed somewhat.
"Do you know what I would do with that serum once it was in my hands?"
"You would completely forget about skincare for your beautiful assistant, then analyze it to see whether you could replicate it."
Oaks sat back down on the sofa, picked up Goose, and scratched behind her ears, utterly unconcerned by Tony's competitive gaze.
"Or are you buying two bottles? If so, I have to say that you really do value your assistant."
"Oaks, you really are an infuriating bastard."
Tony pinched his little mustache and crooked his mouth.
"If I cannot analyze your Recovery Serum within a week, I will consider investing in New York's environmental protection.
I may not be a biochemist, but my analytical equipment is top-notch."
"I'll wait for your good news."
"Also, get me another bottle."
Oaks raised a brow and placed two bottles on the table.
"The one from before was a test, so it's free. These are two bottles, ten thousand dollars, please."
Gesturing for Happy to pay, Tony picked up a bottle of Recovery Serum and studied the jade-like liquid within. Then he suddenly asked, "What would happen if someone drank this stuff?"
"..."
Oaks swiped the credit card Happy handed over through the POS machine, glanced at Tony, and gave him a mischievous grin.
"You can try it, but you should probably call and make appointments with some beauties in advance. One might not be enough."
The reason the Recovery Serum had such powerful restorative effects was because Oaks had infused it with pure Life Force.
And what did Life Force replenish the most?
Naturally, things related to life...
All kinds of things!
"Oh, oh, oh!"
Tony flung away the sunglasses he had just taken out. His eyes shone as he looked at Oaks in an entirely different light again.
"Perfect!"
Tony grabbed the other bottle and carefully tucked both bottles into the breast pocket of his suit. He then walked briskly over to Oaks, stared at him seriously, and lowered his voice.
"From today onward, we are friends."
"..."
"Since you refuse to be my personal consultant, you can at least be reliable when it comes to a friend's business, right?"
He looked utterly solemn.
"This concerns a friend's physical health and... dignity."
"Use it without worry. There won't be any problems."
Oaks gave Happy a strange look. Happy pursed his lips and shrugged repeatedly, then suddenly seemed to think of something and began shaking his head and waving his hands frantically in horror.
"..."
Oaks gave a light cough and gave up on suggesting that Happy find someone to test it on.
"All right, Tony, don't drink it all in one gulp. One drop of this stuff can keep you going through a half marathon."
Snap!
Tony snapped his fingers, the corners of his mouth lifting.
"Happy, buy every green plant in the store and have the airline fly them to the Malibu villa!
Also, invite all the cover girls from the top ten entertainment magazines in America last week. We're throwing a grand party tonight!"
Watching the already impatient Tony, Oaks silently swiped Happy's credit card once more and pulled a jar from beneath the counter.
"Those coffee beans from earlier are a complimentary gift with the purchase of Recovery Serum."
Watching Tony, who had already impatiently opened the door and walked out, Oaks curled his lip at the bitter-faced Happy.
"Keep your bottle safe. If he can't get up tomorrow, it could save his life."
"I'm wondering how I'm supposed to explain this to Miss Pepper."
"I'll save you the best potted plant. Give it to her in Tony's name."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Oaks!"
"No need to thank me. Enter your PIN."
"..."
Before you continue