Persuading Dr. Connors, Setting Off

Dr. Connors froze at Toby's words. After looking around, he finally got a clear look at the laboratory he was in. The equipment was absurdly comprehensive!

Moreover, none of it was inferior to what he had used at Osborn Enterprises. Every piece was top-of-the-line equipment from major biotech companies on the market!

Did Fisk Enterprises pay that well?

If he had known, he would have applied to Fisk Enterprises too!

He would probably have to declare bankruptcy just to buy a single piece of the top-tier research equipment here!

That was why he had always chosen to stay at Osborn Enterprises: Osborn Enterprises had the best and most complete top-tier biological research equipment in the world, all available for him to use for free!

And Toby's laboratory was no less impressive than the one at Osborn Enterprises.

If he continued his research here, he might truly be able to perfect the Lizard Regeneration Serum!

Dr. Connors was no fool. Once he saw how fully equipped Toby's laboratory was, he understood that Toby had brought him here for a reason.

After hesitating for a moment, he looked at Toby and asked, "So you want me to work for you and help you perfect the Lizard Regeneration Serum?"

That was indeed his goal, so Toby readily admitted it.

"That's right. I took an interest in the regenerative effects of the Lizard Regeneration Serum a long time ago. It has enormous value, whether for personal use or commercial use, so I hope you'll help me perfect it."

"In return, I'll resolve the trouble you caused before, including the police officers' lives on your hands. I'll also help you reclaim the research results Osborn Enterprises has held onto over the years, including ownership of the Lizard Regeneration Serum."

"Of course, you can take back your other research results, but ownership of the Lizard Regeneration Serum must belong to me. You'll only retain the right to use it."

Dr. Connors fell silent for quite a while before finally nodding. "All right, I agree..."

It was not that Dr. Connors was truly willing to hand his Lizard Regeneration Serum research over to Toby. He simply had no other choice.

He had failed to deliver the Lizard Regeneration Serum to Norman Osborn on time, so there was no way Osborn Enterprises would take him back. And after turning into the Lizard Man, he had killed several police officers. Even if he could return, he would likely be arrested immediately.

And as Toby had said, he did not want to spend the rest of his life in prison. He still wanted to complete the research that had been his lifelong dream.

Therefore, agreeing to Toby was, in reality, his only path forward...

Seeing Dr. Connors nod, Toby revealed a satisfied smile.

"A wise choice, Doctor."

"However, I'll be leaving for a while soon. Before I return, it would be best if you stayed here and kept a low profile. Wait until I settle this mess before going out, so you don't invite unnecessary trouble."

"This underground laboratory has a complete ecosystem and living quarters. One floor up is an underground gym, which you may use as you please."

"I'll also have Peter come by after school every day to be your assistant. Just tell him whatever you need."

Dr. Connors nodded silently, indicating that he had no objections.

Seeing that Dr. Connors was not in high spirits and seemed somewhat exhausted, Toby said nothing more.

After helping Dr. Connors register his laboratory access authorization, he left the underground laboratory.

Well, it was nine o'clock. Time to sleep again.

At six in the morning, Toby woke up on schedule.

May had not gotten up yet, so Toby's taste buds could finally have a break. He made himself a simple but delicious breakfast.

Half an hour later, one of Kingpin's men came knocking and handed Toby his passport and plane ticket.

The flight was leaving in half an hour, so Toby grabbed his luggage and immediately set off.

On the way, he sent Peter a text, telling him to assist Dr. Connors with his research while he was away.

After that came the long flight and layover.

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Having departed in the morning, Toby did not arrive in Afghanistan until late at night.

Kingpin's network was indeed impressive. He had connections even in Afghanistan, and someone had already been waiting for Toby at the airport.

They handed over a brand-new Jeep that had been prepared for him.

The Jeep had also been thoughtfully stocked with rations, water, thick blankets, windproof clothing, and every other necessity.

It had to be said that if one was not Kingpin's enemy but his friend, Kingpin was actually quite reliable.

Time was tight. Every minute Toby delayed meant an extra minute of risk that Tony, worth fifty million dollars, would be killed.

So as soon as Toby got into the Jeep, he set off at once.

As for how he would find the exact place where Tony was being held, that might have been an enormous problem for the useless U.S. military that had lost Tony.

It was so difficult that they had searched for Tony for over two months without finding him. They truly were utterly useless!

But for Toby, it was simple.

Because he had the advantage of foresight!

Although the movie had not directly revealed the coordinates of the cave where Tony was being held, it had clearly told him the name of the gang that kidnapped Tony.

Ten Rings!

That made things simple. He only needed to find someone and ask where the Ten Rings' main base was...

One day later.

Tony had already left the Afghan airport behind and arrived in the Kunar region where he had gone missing.

This was a fairly chaotic area.

Nearby, there were not only Afghan military bases, but also U.S. military bases, along with all kinds of terrorist camps.

That included the Ten Rings base that had kidnapped Tony.

Toby's method of asking for directions was simple: he drove his own car around the terrorist-infested area known as a restricted zone.

As expected, someone as brazen as Toby was quickly spotted by a group of terrorists.

Two battered jeeps, each mounted with a machine gun and looking straight out of Mad Max, blocked Toby's path from the front and rear.

Toby obediently killed the engine, parked, and got out with his hands raised in a practiced manner.

Seeing how compliant he was, the terrorists in the two blocking jeeps let down their guard. They did not even man the roof-mounted machine guns.

Other than the drivers, everyone else got out carrying only a few battered AKs and walked toward Toby.

The white-headscarfed, bearded man leading them sized Toby up, then greedily glanced at the expensive new jeep behind him.

"American?"

Toby raised an eyebrow at that.

He had not expected his luck to be so good—the first person he asked for directions could speak a language he understood.

So Toby nodded and gave the bearded man a smile.

"That's right. Can we talk over by your vehicles? I don't want my car getting dirty later."

Toby did not want blood splattering onto his car later, nor did he want it damaged by stray fire.

The bearded leader smiled and nodded as well. "Oh, friend, of course. I don't want to get 'my car' dirty either."

The bearded man likewise did not want the new car he was about to steal getting blood on it or being damaged by stray fire.

Thus, despite their entirely different motives, the two sides reached an astonishing agreement on protecting Toby's vehicle!

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