"Welcome to Knight Bioworks. I guess I'm finally able to say it, although you're among my first few employees," Max said with a chuckle, extending his hand for a handshake.
Alex took it firmly, his elation on full display for everyone around. "Yes, Max. Now Cell Labs belongs to you, along with its research team."
A wide grin crept across Max's face. No words could truly describe his joy.
For a salaried worker used to the daily grind five days a week, 9 to 6 ; building something from scratch and making it real, like a company, was nothing short of a dream come true.
"You've been grinning for a while now," someone remarked.
Max turned and found Victor Hensley standing there with a small smile on his face. He replied with a light laugh, "Of course I'm happy, Uncle Victor. Now I have a team, and a working company of my own."
Victor smacked his lips, taking a moment to look around the meeting room of Cell Labs.
His gaze then drifted toward the hallway where several employees were rushing in to meet Alex as he shared the joyous news with them.
Their wide-open mouths and enthusiastic expressions told just how shocked and exhilarated they were.
The funding crisis that had shaken them recently was finally over. And now, having been taken over by a seemingly kind new boss, their happiness knew no bounds.
Victor hummed thoughtfully to Max. "These employees seem fine. You likely won't find trouble handling them."
With his years of experience, Victor could glean personality traits and temperaments at a glance.
"Hmm… I hope so too. If not, I'll just have to become a capitalist like every other boss," Max quipped, watching the employees.
His eyes scanned the room, already calculating and strategizing.
Victor glanced at Max askance and nodded in understanding. "You seem to be all over the place when it comes to investing."
"Anna must've informed you," Max said offhandedly, not taking it too seriously.
"What did you expect, you asked her to call my firm for legal inquiries. I also heard from Anna about your instruction regarding KTech. Are you sure you won't regret it?"
Max met Victor's eyes and shook his head with a long sigh. "That's my final call. KTech has long slipped from my reach. It's better to let it go."
A long silence fell between them. Neither had the words for the situation. The circumstances surrounding KTech were complex and overwhelming.
Victor, who knew more than even Max did about the back-end dealings, admitted, "You're right. You must've heard KTech's left Sky Tower and rented space in another building a few streets away."
"Yeah, let them be," Max muttered under his breath.
"What's next?" Victor asked, deliberately avoiding the topic further, deflecting Max's attention from the anguish of losing his father's last-ever project.
Even if Max had made peace with the decision and let it go, it had to hurt. It was better not to scratch a fresh wound.
Max licked his lips. "Nothing much. First, I'll ask Leo to clean up the Sky Tower space left behind by KTech and prepare them for Knight Bioworks' takeover. I'll open up space for Cell Labs and gradually shift them over."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "Then I'll focus everything I've got on lifting this new venture off the ground."
There was an ambitious gleam in his eyes that didn't escape Victor's notice. The older man sighed.
"I don't know why you suddenly decided to start a biotech company, but I hope it succeeds. Call me later if you need any help."
Victor was about to depart when Max suddenly said, "Thanks Uncle, for everything."
Victor glanced back, nodded silently, and left.
Watching him go, Max stood still in thought. It had been a week and a half since he last met Jessica.
A short, yet somehow long period given everything he'd gone through in that time.
He had spent most of that time inside Cell Labs, experimenting and researching the T-Virus.
His aim was to develop a foundational understanding of the virus and confirm its traits based on the memories he had absorbed from John.
After spending a considerable amount of effort, he had completed his basic experiments and preliminary research using limited agents.
He'd gathered enough data to pause before diving deeper.
More importantly, Cell Labs wasn't prepared yet for handling such a deep and dangerous subject like the T-Virus.
A real zombie virus, if not approached with strict safety protocols, could easily lead to an apocalyptic event.
And Max still wanted to live in this thrilling, yet somewhat peaceful world. It was better to avoid triggering a zombie apocalypse entirely.
He also had to call Jessica soon and ask for her reply before moving to Sky Tower with Cell Labs and officially launching his biotech company with real employees and legitimate research initiatives alongside Alex's team.
He had to be prepared regarding the T-Virus before handing over any substantial material to Alex's researchers.
He also needed to provide them with the correct directions for future research efforts.
Since he had already given Jessica enough time to consider, he would now ask for her response to his offer.
Although he could've called her in between, for some reason, his heart stirred uncomfortably whenever he thought about that day, leaving him confused and hesitant.
But he couldn't avoid the topic any longer. His offer to Jessica had been serious.
After the recent mugging incident, he had resolved to hire personal security, someone capable and dependable.
And Jessica, a future superhero powerhouse, was far beyond what he could have hoped for.
Regardless of how things turned out, he would meet her calmly and patiently coax her into joining his company, either through a high salary, their sentimental past, or their newfound friendship.
He was determined to secure an extraordinary bodyguard. And if she turned out to be a beautiful one? Well, that was just the cherry on top.
With a gleam in his eyes, Max's ambition soared as he thought through his plans. He would build financial strength, forge powerful connections, and grow Knight Bioworks into a giant.
As for physical strength, he was still patiently waiting for the system's response.
…
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