With fresh capital flowing in, Rock Technologies immediately ramped up its investment in Big White.
Production lines were expanded, marketing budgets increased, and every available method was put to use.
Backed by sufficient funding, Rock Technologies entered a phase of explosive growth without any doubt.
Everyone else was stunned.
But for Nolan, who had already lived through something similar once before, there was nothing particularly surprising about it.
He was simply walking the same road again, only this time using a more straightforward path.
The one who felt it most deeply was Galiston Beyer.
As a small investor, his early bet on Rock Technologies had nearly doubled his net worth. And this was only the beginning. In the foreseeable future, his wealth would become immeasurable.
Back then, Galiston had invested in Nolan Rock as a person. He had even prepared himself for the possibility of no returns for several years.
Instead, Nolan Rock repaid that trust at an astonishing speed, delivering profits far beyond expectations.
"Investing in Rock Technologies is the best decision I've ever made in my life."
While negotiating business with a client in his office, Galiston did not forget to repeat this line.
In fact, he had said it so many times that nearly everyone he met had heard it from him at least once.
The client across from him smiled helplessly.
Indeed, Galiston had made the right decision. Unfortunately, far more people had missed this opportunity. Coincidentally, the man sitting across from him was one of them.
"Mr. Beyer, perhaps we should get back to the deal," the client finally interrupted.
Galiston still looked reluctant to stop.
Just after seeing the client out, another man walked in.
"Galiston, long time no see."
"Charles?"
Galiston looked surprised.
"Long time," Charles said with a smile. "I have a promising investment opportunity. Interested?"
"Of course. I'm a rich man now," Galiston laughed loudly.
Charles was also a shareholder of Rock Technologies, but unlike Galiston, he was a seasoned capital giant, not someone who had placed nearly all his chips on a single gamble.
Seeing Galiston agree so readily, Charles smiled.
"That's great. This one is truly risk-free."
…
"The forward and reverse reactions of the Sitar formula…"
Inside the laboratory, Nolan continued his experiments while reviewing his research.
The launch of the spacecraft that would give birth to the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom was drawing closer by the day.
Yet his research into gamma particles had hit a bottleneck.
"The mysteries of gamma radiation really aren't that easy to unravel," Nolan muttered with a wry smile.
His original plan had been to confirm feasibility and reach at least a seventy to eighty percent success rate before boarding the ship with the Fantastic Four.
But now, he was barely halfway there.
At best, he had only established a preliminary controllability model.
Based on current calculations, his probability of success might not even reach thirty percent.
Less than thirty percent.
Was that worth gambling on?
Nolan hesitated.
Gamma exposure still carried significant risk, no matter what.
If he had a seventy or eighty percent chance of obtaining the ability he wanted, even with danger involved, he would not hesitate.
But now, only thirty percent. Everything else was unknown.
He let out a long sigh.
Instead of forcing himself back into research, Nolan decided to step away. Sometimes, urgency only led to worse results.
For the first time in a long while, he left the laboratory and immediately summoned his long-legged secretary.
"How's the company doing lately?"
Aside from handling major issues personally, he had delegated most responsibilities to professional managers he had recently recruited.
The secretary replied, "Overall, things are going very well. Big White's sales are still climbing, but…"
She hesitated.
Sensing something off, Nolan said, "I heard Mr. Beyer made a failed investment and might be facing bankruptcy?"
Nolan froze for a moment.
"Bankruptcy? Galiston Beyer has always been cautious."
"I don't know the details, but the rumor seems credible."
Nolan shook his head.
It did not concern him much. As long as Galiston still held Rock Technologies shares, he would not truly go bankrupt.
Rock Technologies was now a gold mine.
Galiston would not sell those shares lightly.
Compared to that, Nolan cared far more about his abilities.
He thought deeply.
The Fantastic Four all possessed formidable powers. At the very least, their raw strength was impressive.
Ben Grimm, for example, could hold his own against the Hulk before the Hulk's rage fully erupted.
Reed Richards' abilities made him almost immune to physical attacks.
But what about himself?
What kind of power did he actually need?
That question required serious consideration.
Even counting Victor, the abilities of the Fantastic Four, while strong, did not truly meet Nolan's expectations.
What he needed was a power that allowed continuous growth.
Combined with the spacecraft's unique environment, he felt he was beginning to see a path forward.
A few days later, Nolan arrived at Doom Technologies.
Today was the day Reed Richards' team was scheduled to visit. As a collaborator, Nolan was allowed to observe.
Susan was already waiting at the entrance. When she saw Nolan, she smiled warmly.
"They're not here yet?" Nolan asked. "I heard it really is Reed Richards' team."
"Not yet," Susan shook her head.
Nolan understood. As they walked in, he added casually, "If you want to wait here, I'd understand."
Susan frowned slightly.
Nolan assumed she was thinking it over and did not rush her.
"No," she said. "I haven't been in contact with them for years."
"In that case, let's go up together."
They headed upstairs. Not long after, Reed Richards and Ben Grimm arrived downstairs at Doom Technologies.
Reed adjusted his suit.
"Ben, our legend begins here."
Ben's face was full of anticipation. He had waited for this day for a long time.
But the moment they entered the building, Reed froze.
A newly completed statue stood before them.
The man depicted was unmistakable. Even the name engraved below was painfully familiar.
Reed's expression darkened instantly.
"This is Victor Von Doom's company?"
If he had known earlier, he would never have stepped inside.
Ben also froze. No one understood their rivalry better than he did.
Back in university, both were top-tier geniuses, yet Victor had always been overshadowed by Reed.
Now Victor was the head of a major corporation, while they had come seeking his investment.
Just imagining it made Ben understand exactly how Reed felt.
"Or maybe we…" Ben began.
"We're going in," Reed said firmly.
"I'll remember this day. One day, everyone will know the name Reed Richards."
Humiliation burned inside him.
But for the sake of research, he had no choice but to endure it.
Led by the receptionist, they entered Victor Von Doom's office.
Victor was not facing them. He was chatting amiably with another man.
Reed suppressed his irritation.
Just as he was about to speak, Victor finally noticed them and turned his chair.
"Reed. Long time no see."
Victor smiled. The confidence and superiority in that smile were unmistakable, even though he remained seated.
Reed's expression was tense, but he did not explode. This was his best chance.
At the same time, Nolan turned his head.
"Nolan Rock!"
Reed's eyes practically burned with fury.
If not for Nolan Rock, the Stark Industries opportunity might have been his. He would not be standing here, forced to face Victor.
This was all Nolan Rock's fault.
Nolan remained calm, even smiling slightly.
"Mr. Richards. Seems you remember me."
Reed's anger meant little to him. Reed Richards was his final safety net.
As long as things did not escalate into hatred, there was no real problem.
After all, as long as he stayed on good terms with Susan, everything else was manageable.
Victor was unsurprised that they knew each other. Susan had already mentioned that Nolan had spoken favorably of Reed.
Victor had assumed their relationship was decent. Otherwise, why would Nolan speak up?
Was there bad blood between them?
If so, whose fault was it?
Victor reached his conclusion almost instantly.
"Reed, you haven't changed. I'll say it again. We will never be friends.
That said, business is business. You may present your research. If you demonstrate sufficient value, I will invest."
Then he added, "Although I dislike you, the name Reed Richards is worth considering. Your experiments have never failed."
Reed felt a surge of pride.
That was right. His experiments had never failed.
At that moment, the office door opened.
Silence fell instantly.
Reed swallowed the words he was about to say.
Susan Storm.
A name he could never forget.
Even Susan, though mentally prepared, froze slightly upon seeing Reed.
Victor broke the silence with a smile.
"Reed, you know Susan Storm. She is my secretary. And soon, she will be my girlfriend."
Victor looked extremely pleased.
But in the next second, Susan spoke calmly.
"I am Victor's secretary. As for being his girlfriend, I'm sorry, but that won't be happening."
Victor's expression stiffened briefly before recovering.
Reed felt a flicker of hope.
Did she still have feelings for him?
Nolan sat quietly, watching the three of them with interest, as if enjoying a live drama.
This was not how he remembered the story.
He had assumed Susan was already Victor's girlfriend.
Well, things had gone off script.
No matter.
Nolan remained perfectly composed.
It had nothing to do with him anyway. Watching the show was enough.
…