Press Conference

Harry Osborn moved quickly. Once the company's research department confirmed the authenticity of the experimental data, he notified Sean directly, and the two sides reached a preliminary agreement for cooperation. The new president of Osborn Industries saw that the one truly holding the reins was Sean, his friend who served as the experiment's assistant, rather than Dr. Connors, the laboratory's owner.

Thus, whether it was negotiations or signing the cooperation agreement, Sean handled everything as the sole representative. Dr. Connors was more than happy with that arrangement. His research had reached its final critical stage, and he had no time for such tedious matters.

Inside Osborn Industries' conference room, the beaming Harry extended his hand. Sean, having signed the formal contract, rose to meet it, and the two exchanged smiles. Three days earlier, the laboratory had conducted its first human trial. The results proved that ALZ-112 not only worked on chimpanzees, but also produced effects on humans. This cooperation temporarily restored some vitality to Osborn Industries, which had recently been battered by public pressure and internal conflict.

"Osborn Industries will return to its peak under your leadership," Sean said with a smile. His carefully laid plans had finally reached the time of harvest, and he was in an excellent mood.

"I'll take that as a good omen, Sean. Don't forget that Osborn Industries belongs to you now as well. You and Dr. Connors both hold shares in the company." A smile appeared on Harry's youthful face. The immense pressure of recent days had left the young man, who had hurriedly dropped out of school, anxious and despondent.

If Sean had not produced ALZ-112 and saved Osborn Industries from collapse in its hour of need, Harry truly did not dare imagine what he would have become.

Sean smiled faintly. Osborn Industries' funding chain was currently broken, and its cash flow was tight, so during negotiations, Harry decided to offer a portion of the company's shares as compensation. However, the agreement stipulated that they could not be held long-term. Once ALZ-112 officially entered the market, the shares would be bought back and settled in cash.

Thus, a deal that could be called a win-win for everyone was reached.

When Sean walked out of Osborn Industries, he turned back to glance at the towering modern building. His eyes flickered slightly. Perhaps he had moved too quickly and been too eager, triggering Harry's subconscious wariness. That was why Harry had added the special clause, to prevent Sean and Dr. Connors from joining forces and coveting Osborn Industries.

"You've improved quickly." Sean shook his head, amusement in his eyes. To him, Osborn Industries was merely a stepping stone. He had no intention of devouring such a lavish cake.

Next came the days of waiting for the rewards to arrive.

With both hands in his pockets, the young man's eyes brimmed with anticipation as his upright figure gradually vanished into the sea of people.

"...The product jointly developed by Dr. Curt Connors and Mr. Sean Sipes, ALZ-112, is a revolutionary genetic medicine and a blessing for every patient suffering from neurological diseases! Osborn Industries is determined to contribute its share to this cause for the benefit of humanity. Together, we will bring this new drug to market and save those enduring the torment of illness!"

On television, the young and handsome Harry spoke with confidence and passion. He handled the reporters' questions with ease, occasionally displaying his witty sense of humor.

"Human potential really is incredible. The Harry Osborn I knew some time ago was only a rich young playboy immersed in having fun. Now he's transformed into a qualified corporate president."

Sean sat in a café and took a light sip of Blue Mountain Coffee. Invited by Gwen today, he had rarely given himself a day off to go shopping with the blonde girl, whose feelings had become impossible to miss.

"The truly amazing one should be you!" Gwen stirred the coffee in her cup, her beautiful eyes shining brilliantly. "You're so young, yet you helped Dr. Connors develop and produce a new drug. It'll soon be put on the market and generate enormous profits. Isn't an achievement like that worth being proud of?"

"How did that saying go... I was just standing on the shoulders of the system... no, of giants." A faint smile rested on Sean's lips. To reach the pinnacle of life, it all depended on the system pulling its weight!

"You're famous now, anyway. Did you know the newspapers have portrayed you as a genius of the new generation, like Tony Stark in the past, or Reed Richards at Columbia University? They all rose to prominence in their youth and displayed gifts far beyond ordinary people."

Gwen was even more excited than the person involved. In a playful tone, she repeated the reporters' exaggerated coverage. Sean listened quietly, occasionally chiming in with a word or two.

No wonder Sean had become a celebrity overnight. Compared with Dr. Connors, whose earlier life had been utterly ordinary, Sean's background was undoubtedly far more compelling. Not only had he achieved tremendous success at such a young age, but he had lost his parents as a child and been raised by his uncle. After his only relative passed away, he lived alone. He maintained excellent grades, earned admission to the State University of New York through his own efforts, and then devoted himself to the great cause of science...

This sort of inspirational, uplifting news story was exactly what New York residents loved to see. Everyone had grown tired of the gossip and scandals surrounding some billionaire playboy every day. It was time for a change of pace, something different.

With the news media's continuing coverage and Osborn Industries deliberately fanning the flames, what had originally been a simple, ordinary press conference was hyped into the birth of a genius scientist. Some questioned whether it was calculated and deceptive commercial marketing, but as soon as such voices emerged, they were immediately drowned out by the roaring tide of public opinion.

Who cared what the truth was?

What people wanted was an eye-catching legendary tale: the success story of a young boy who worked hard and became a scientific genius of the new generation. Compared to Tony Stark, who had inherited his father's business and lived a reckless life, this was the true American dream!

As for what the facts actually were, no one cared. What people wanted was merely the satisfaction of taking part in this wave of public frenzy. Nothing more.

Sean saw it clearly. Harry wanted to seize this opportunity to reverse Osborn Industries' negative image, while the news media had finally found exceptional material and could not possibly let it go easily. In order to boost newspaper sales, they kept exaggerating the facts and even dragged Tony Stark into it for a cheap shot.

Every side had its own purpose, and Sean was happy to go along with it. Everything he had done had a reasonable explanation, after all. Besides, he had Dr. Connors as a shield. Even if there were a few minor doubts, they were of no consequence.

Through the glass window, Sean watched the pedestrians moving along the streets and the endless stream of vehicles. He suddenly felt a little dazed. At last, he had taken his first step in this world.

Gwen savored the coffee's bitterness tinged with sweetness, her gentle gaze resting on Sean. The young man seemed lost in thought. Afternoon sunlight filtered through the glass and fell across his youthful face, adding an inexplicable air of mystery and attraction.

Soft music flowed through the air as the surrounding clamor gradually faded away. A quiet, delicate atmosphere spread between them. When Sean came back to himself, he found Gwen sitting across from him, her beautiful eyes like rippling spring water as they fixed tightly on him, the budding affection in them nearly overflowing.

What happened? Sean was filled with confusion. He clearly had no intention of flirting with girls and had always maintained a subtle distance, yet he still found it difficult to stop Gwen from drawing closer.

Could the system have raised his charm stat too, making girls throw themselves into his arms?

What a troubling problem. The young man looked up at the ceiling, a delighted smile curling across his lips.