Warm sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone upon the earth. Across the spacious lawn, researchers who had shed their work uniforms wandered back and forth, enjoying champagne and roast meat from the long dining tables.
This was an outdoor reception celebrating the laboratory's official founding, proposed by Sean himself. The attendants had arranged the tables and chairs neatly, laid out the utensils, and set up grills. On this pleasant, breezy day, Umbrella Labs' staff happily enjoyed the benefits provided by their young boss.
The brand-new laboratory was a towering, spire-like structure, like the magnificent tomb of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. Its exterior was assembled from high-strength glass and supported by steel beams like a backbone. Whenever the weather was clear, sunlight streamed down through the glass dome, making it resemble a glittering crystal palace.
The exterior facilities were equally complete: an underground parking garage, a broad helipad, as well as various leisure amenities and entertainment venues. Everything was provided.
This laboratory, named Umbrella, had consumed nearly all of Sean's available funds. If Wesley had not taken control of much of Hell's Kitchen's business, supplemented by The Hand's covert support, New York University's youngest billionaire would likely have found himself in the dire straits of a broken cash flow chain.
Sean wanted to build a world-class research institution, and that required a world-class research team. He had entrusted Dr. Connors with recruitment while providing a list of outstanding scientists he remembered. The net had been cast; he just did not know how many big fish it would catch.
After such a tremendous investment, the results were naturally satisfying. Sean stood on the lawn in a perfectly tailored suit, a glass of champagne in hand. Like someone admiring a marvelous work of art, he tilted his head slightly and gazed at