- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 54
“Mr. Leo, thank you for your appreciation, but I’m used to being here and not planning to resign just yet.”
In the end, Dr. Stern declined Leo’s offer.
He was currently at a crucial stage in his experiment. If he could make a breakthrough, it would surely attract many wealthy investors, allowing him to continue his research.
This could potentially benefit humanity worldwide, win him a Nobel Prize, and cement his legacy as one of the greatest biologists in history.
Leo was not surprised by Stern’s refusal, as he understood the reason behind it.
It mainly had to do with Dr. Bruce Banner, the genius with seven doctoral degrees who had participated in the “Army Biochemical Force Enhancement Project” under the invitation of a U.S. general a few years ago.
The project aimed to recreate the “Super Soldier Serum” from the blood of Captain America. However, an accident occurred, resulting in Dr. Banner being exposed to gamma radiation and mutating into the more powerful and terrifying Hulk.
To harness the Hulk’s power, General Ross began a global manhunt for Dr. Banner. Unwilling to see the Hulk’s uncontrollable destructive power used for war, Banner went on the run.
During this time, he met Dr. Stern, who went by the alias “Mr. Blue” online, and sent his blood samples to Stern, hoping to find a way to cure himself.
Astonished by the miraculous properties of Banner’s blood, Stern replicated it extensively, planning to use it to develop a cure for hundreds of diseases and achieve fame and a Nobel Prize.
“Dr. Stern, I understand your ideas stem from the blood samples provided by Mr. Green. However, you may not know the origins of Mr. Green or the fact that even if you achieve a breakthrough, you might not be able to publish your results.”
Leo smiled as he spoke.
Hearing Leo mention “Mr. Green,” Stern’s expression changed dramatically:
“How do you know about that?”
“Mr. Green” was the online alias of the person who sent him the blood samples, and he had never told anyone about it.
Leo stirred his coffee with a spoon and calmly explained:
“I have many friends, so I know a lot of things. Let me briefly explain what you’re working on.”
He then slowly detailed Dr. Banner’s identity, current situation, and potential future events.
“Are you saying that even if I succeed in my research, I won’t be able to publish it, and General Ross could confiscate all my research and imprison me?”
Stern’s face grew more troubled.
If what Leo said was true, then considering the nature of his government, such a scenario was highly plausible.
Leo nodded:
“Let me clarify the conditions I’m offering, and you can consider them carefully.
First, I will fully support your research, even if it takes five or ten years without developing the cure for hundreds of diseases. I will continue to provide you with research funding and the best laboratory equipment.
Additionally, you can publish any breakthroughs under your name and receive the Nobel Prize. I will handle any issues with General Ross.
Furthermore, I have many talented biologists who could significantly assist you in your work.”
If Dr. Stern could develop a cure for hundreds of diseases, it would bring enormous benefits to the group, even if it would likely upset many interests.
But so what? Open attacks wouldn’t bother him, as he wasn’t an individual but a corporation with a team of lawyers, and he now had a good relationship with Tony Stark. Given the trend, it would be hard to touch him.
Secret attacks were even less of a concern. With his current strength, if he disregarded the consequences, he could eliminate the country’s leadership by tomorrow.
However, he wouldn’t resort to that, as it would provoke a backlash from the world’s superheroes and would be counterproductive, making him a public enemy.
But if it was for the health of humanity, to cure terminal diseases, and to fight against the evil capitalists and corrupt government officials trying to stop it from a position of justice, there would be no problem. Superheroes with a sense of justice might even offer help.
Even if Dr. Stern never produced results, it wouldn’t matter. Leo valued Stern’s biological science expertise for other potential projects, such as developing super-soldier serums and other products using Hulk’s blood.
He could also possibly recruit Dr. Banner himself.
Regarding laboratory equipment and research funding, Leo would invest at the highest level with or without Dr. Stern.
After hearing Leo’s offer, Stern paced around the room for a while before finally deciding:
“Alright, if you can deliver on what you say, I agree to join your group.”
Stern wasn’t confident he could develop a cure for hundreds of diseases, but Leo’s terms were too good to refuse. Even if he made breakthroughs, other capitalists might not offer better terms than Leo.
The fact that Leo knew about “Mr. Green” and could find him indicated he had the means to counter General Ross.
“Welcome to the Li Group. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to pick you up, and all your current research samples will be safely transported to your new lab.”
Leo stood up and shook Stern’s hand with a smile.
If Stern had refused, Leo wouldn’t have forced him, but he would have taken a sample of Hulk’s blood and Stern’s research data that night.
With his current situation, relying solely on training chakra and chakra nature transformation wouldn’t yield significant strength improvements in the short term.
However, obtaining stable serums like the Super Soldier Serum or the Hulk’s transformation could change that.
“Now, with Dr. Stern and Dr. Yinsen on the surface and Dr. Smith and Dr. List in the shadows, getting Dr. Banner on board should make developing a stable serum to enhance physical strength feasible.”
As he walked through Grayburn College’s campus after leaving Stern, Leo mused to himself.
Dr. Yinsen had stayed with Tony for a few days. After learning that Leo sold the green survival pills at minimal profit to ensure the world’s poorest people wouldn’t go hungry, he decisively joined the Li Group.