124. Impending Compound V Leak, The Storm Approaches!
Facing Stan Edgar's questioning, Xia Shang said with a smile, "Monopoly."
This answer clearly satisfied Stan Edgar. The corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards, and the fingers of his right hand resting on the armrest tapped lightly a few times. "Go on."
"As you said, Vought's foundation is the formula for Compound V. As long as the formula remains in Vought's hands, we will be eternal monopolists. Moreover, when we sell Compound V, we will also set thresholds and sign contracts with buyers. This is equivalent to bringing what was previously done in secret out into the open."
After listening to Xia Shang's explanation, Stan Edgar closed his eyes contentedly.
"Excellent. Vought is a pharmaceutical company. That hasn't changed. I'm very glad you recognize this. At first, I thought you were like Madelyn Stillwell, preparing to invest more energy in developing the superhero pan-entertainment industry. It seems I misunderstood. However, regarding Compound V, you shouldn't interfere too much. Our current clients are only the military. You are very smart and capable. Vought's future will be yours."
Stan Edgar skillfully painted a grand vision for Xia Shang. His meaning was clear: when he retired, he would hand the position of Vought President to Xia Shang.
"Mr. Edgar, you are the soul figure of Vought. I don't think anyone can replace you."
Regarding the promise Stan Edgar threw his way, Xia Shang neither accepted nor rejected it.
"Alright, regarding your plan, I will have the Finance Department approve a sum of funds for you. Do a good job, and I hope you can give me an unexpected surprise." Whether Xia Shang could give Stan Edgar an unexpected surprise remained to be seen. However, a huge shock was close at hand.
Meanwhile, Starlight was chatting with Stormfront when Stormfront told her that a one-eyed person was staring at her from behind.
"Hey, what happened to your eye?" Gecko was fine when she saw him before, so how did his eye suddenly get injured?
"Vought developed a new no-rinse hair growth shampoo. The only drawback is that it makes your eyes uncomfortable. Fuck, you don't care about this anyway." Gecko took out a sample and handed it to Starlight. "Here, this is what you wanted."
The sample was packed in a makeup box. After Starlight opened it, she even found a few lipsticks and lip balms inside.
"Are you kidding me? I can't take this now. I can't leave this media event. I really don't have any pockets on me."
With that, she wanted to return the makeup bag to Gecko.
"Listen, give it back to me after the event ends."
However, Gecko said quite impatiently, "What you want is inside. I did everything you asked. If you threaten me again, I'll tell everyone."
With that, he turned and left.
With a whoosh, A-Train suddenly appeared in front of Starlight. The sneaky way the two of them had been acting immediately aroused his suspicion. "Are you close with Gecko?"
Starlight's reaction was also quite quick. "Yes, we've known each other for a long time."
When she was about to leave, A-Train called out to her, "Hold on. What were you just trying to stuff into your boot?"
"Nothing, you must have seen wrong." Starlight went to Stormfront's backpack and stuffed the item inside. Just then, Mesmer, who had successful plastic surgery, accidentally knocked over the chair where the backpack was placed, and the pink makeup bag fell out.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to." Mesmer said this and was about to pick up the makeup bag from the ground, but how could his speed compare to A-Train's?
A-Train picked up the makeup bag first and placed it in front of Starlight. "It's hard to imagine Stormfront would actually use a pink makeup bag. This wouldn't be yours, would it? Why don't I open it and take a look?"
To be honest, Starlight practically wanted to kill Mesmer at this moment.
"Sorry, you guys chat, I have something to deal with." After arranging the items, Mesmer hurriedly left.
At the other end of the Vought First Floor Media Center, Xia Shang took a glass of whiskey from Mesmer's hand. Holding the glass, he looked towards Starlight and Stormfront. At the same time, he said to Mesmer, "Mr. Morland, Deputy Manager of the Vought Foreign Affairs Department, congratulations on your first day in office. How do you feel?"
"Thank you." What Mesmer didn't expect was that on his first day back at Vought International, he was entrusted with an important task. At this moment, he was extremely grateful to Xia Shang. You know, ever since he was abandoned by Vought, he had been unemployed. Now he actually had a brand new identity and also got an extremely decent job.
"Your previous identity was too sensitive. It might take some time before you can meet your daughter. I hope you understand."
Xia Shang took a sip of whiskey and continued watching the show.
Since Stan Edgar was unwilling to change his clients, then he would make him change! On the other side, under Starlight's gaze, A-Train slowly pulled open the zipper. Seeing the small tube of blue liquid inside, he smiled.
"Can you explain this?"
"You'd better stay out of it." Starlight reached out to grab it but was avoided by A-Train.
"Aren't you afraid I'll give this to Homelander?"
A-Train zipped it back up and pretended to turn and leave.
"You wouldn't dare." Starlight, who had calmed down, realized A-Train was bluffing. He wouldn't dare inform because she also had leverage on A-Train. She had seen Crimson Countess's autopsy report: six syringes inserted into the arm veins simultaneously, and one even pierced into the bone.
This clearly wasn't something Crimson Countess could do herself.
But Vought covered up the matter. If she revealed the truth of the matter to the media, A-Train would quickly be ruined! "How do you know I wouldn't dare? The mistake you're making now is much more serious than mine. If Homelander finds out, you'll only have one outcome. You wouldn't want to be cut into pieces by heat vision, would you, Ms. Starlight?" A-Train, seeing Starlight who attacked him that night swallowing her anger in front of him, said with immense satisfaction.
Starlight stared intently into A-Train's eyes and uttered a name: "Crimson Countess."
"As for how she died, I don't need to say more, do I? At worst, I'll drag you down with me."
"Hahaha, don't be nervous. I was just kidding with you. Six million eight hundred sixty thousand US dollars. I'll help you keep this secret." A-Train shrugged. He was practically desperate for money. Ever since being blackmailed by Xia Shang, the balance in his card went straight to zero.
Despite demanding so much money from Starlight, in reality, not much will end up in his hands.
The large portion belongs to others; only the small portion is his own.
(End of Chapter)