The lobby of the Osborn Industries building was as magnificent as a temple dedicated to technology and money.
The dome was thirty meters high, supported entirely by reinforced glass and steel structures. Sunlight poured down, reflecting off the polished marble floor with a dizzying brilliance.
Huge projections rotated in mid-air, showcasing the fields the Osborn Group was involved in: biomedical, Military technology, new energy...
"Wow."
Ned looked up, his mouth wide enough to fit a burger, and the handheld game console in his hand almost fell to the floor.
"This is literally the future, Peter. Look at that hovering drone model. Is that what they're making for the Military?"
Although Peter was equally shocked, he tried his best to maintain his composure as a prospective scientist, pushing up his glasses and saying, "That's a prototype for a glider, Ned. Mr. Osborn has always been dedicated to the research of individual flight assistance systems."
Compared to these two high school students who hadn't seen much of the World, Alice, carrying her pink backpack and standing on the edge of the crowd, appeared overly cold.
"Hey, Peter, over here."
A handsome young man wearing an expensive custom suit with meticulously combed hair walked out of the VIP passage and waved at Peter.
Harry Osborn.
The only son of Norman Osborn, Peter's best friend, and the future second-generation Green Goblin.
"Harry!" Peter greeted him excitedly, and the two bumped fists.
"I'm so glad you could come, brother," Harry said with a smile, but there was a hint of fatigue in his eyes that he couldn't hide. "You know, I have no interest in those boring microscopes, but my dad insisted I come to learn management. With you here, at least I won't die of boredom."
"Yo, isn't this little Mr. Osborn?"
Flash Thompson, who had been looking for an opportunity to strike up a conversation, immediately approached. His face was covered with a flattering smile, completely devoid of the arrogance he displayed when bullying Peter at school.
"I'm Eugene Thompson, the quarterback for the school football team. I've read reports about your father in the newspaper; he's absolutely amazing."
Harry smiled politely but distantly. "Thanks, Thompson."
Then he directly ignored Flash and turned to look at Alice beside Peter, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"Peter, won't you introduce us? Who is this?"
"Alice Mason," Alice took the initiative to reach out. "A transfer student, Peter's neighbor."
"Mason?" Harry shook the cold and soft hand, seemingly remembering something. "Uh, sorry, I mean, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Clearly, he had also heard the news about the fraud case.
"It's fine. In this circle, reputation is like stock prices; ups and downs are normal," Alice said indifferently, with a double meaning. "Just like the recent stock price of the Osborn Group. Although there are fluctuations outside, the core assets are still strong, aren't they?"
Harry was stunned for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "You're more direct than those Wall Street analysts. You're right, that's also the reason why my dad has been quite irritable lately."
Just then, the lobby's PA system sounded.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Osborn Industries. Next, Mr. Norman Osborn will personally deliver a speech to everyone."
The spotlight instantly focused on the spiral staircase on the second floor.
A thin middle-aged man in a dark gray suit with sharp eyes strode down.
His steps were steady and powerful, and his every move carried the authority of someone in a high position.
Norman Osborn.
Thunderous applause broke out.
The students cheered as if they were seeing a rock star.
But Alice, through the perspective of Ai Haibara, saw things that others couldn't.
Norman Osborn's left index finger was trembling slightly, a side effect of nervous system damage or long-term use of some kind of stimulant drug.
His pupils contracted slower than normal in the bright light, a sign of excessive adrenaline secretion.
And under his expensive suit collar, veins were faintly visible on his neck, a sign that his blood pressure was at a critical level.
"He's taking some kind of drug, and that drug is eroding his nervous system."
Alice concluded in her mind.
"If I'm not mistaken, that's the unrefined Human Enhancement Serum."
"Welcome to the future, welcome to the spark of science."
Norman Osborn walked to the microphone, his voice loud, with that infectious business smile on his face.
"Osborn Industries has always been dedicated to exploring the limits of humanity. Whether in the Military field or in the field of genetic engineering. Today, you will see our latest breakthrough in the field of Cross-species Genetics."
When he mentioned the word 'cross-species', his eyes became fanatical.
The speech was short.
After Norman finished speaking, he didn't leave but walked straight toward Harry.
"Father." Harry immediately stood up straight, appearing a bit restrained. "This is my friend Peter. He's first in our grade and is very interested in scientific research."
Norman glanced at Peter, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "Parker, I've heard Harry mention you. He said you're a scientific genius."
His attitude toward Peter was unusually warm, almost as if he were looking at the ideal type his underachieving son could never be.
Then, his gaze swept over Alice.
For a moment, Alice felt like she was being stared at by a hawk.
"And this is?"
"Alice Mason, sir," Alice replied, neither humble nor arrogant.
Norman's gaze lingered on Alice for two seconds, seemingly sensing the cold temperament in this girl that didn't match her age.
"Mason, hmph. I hope what you inherited was your parents' intelligence and talent, not their greed."
This sentence was quite mean, and the surrounding atmosphere instantly turned cold.
Harry was so embarrassed he wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
But Alice wasn't angry.
She just tilted her head slightly, looking into Norman's bloodshot eyes, and suddenly said softly, "Greed is the driving force of evolution, Mr. Osborn. As long as the side effects can be controlled and one doesn't let themselves be consumed, greed is the best fuel, isn't it?"
Norman Osborn's pupils shrank suddenly as his secret was poked, and he couldn't help but look at Alice a few more times.
At the same time, he was a bit confused whether this peer of Harry's words were intentional or accidental.
However, he quickly reacted and gave a dry laugh. "A very interesting viewpoint, young lady. It seems the education level at Midtown High School is indeed quite good."
After saying that, he turned and strode away, his back looking a bit hurried.
"My god, Alice," Peter breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "You scared me to death just now. I thought he was going to blow up."
"Harry is here, so he probably wouldn't."
Alice looked at Norman's departing back, a hint of pity flashing in her eyes, and thought silently: A person who is making a deal with the devil is most afraid not of offense, but of being seen through.
"Alright, everyone."
A guide in a white coat clapped her hands, breaking the deadlock.
"Next, please follow me to today's highlight, the Cross-Species Genetics Laboratory on the 15th floor. Please note that the World's most precious biological samples are kept there. Please do not touch anything at will."
Most precious?
Very well, they'll be mine soon.
"Let's go, Peter."
Alice pulled Peter, who was still in a daze.
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