Chapter 55

Just as Quentin was feeling uneasy about his loss of composure in front of Claudia, the main guest of today's tech gala was also about to arrive.

Under the dim night sky, a long black Lincoln sedan drove steadily on the highway.

Inside this dignified and elegantly designed car, a man and a woman sat facing each other.

Unlike the car's steady movement, the man's emotions were unsettled. He kept looking down at his watch and then turning his head to look behind him, as if a bloodthirsty beast were hiding in the night outside the car.

"Mr. Landon, I must remind you that doing business with demons is a very unwise move," the woman in the front seat said. She wore a wine-red business suit with a high-waisted skirt that accentuated her exquisite demeanor.

"I know you're right, Genevieve, but I can't let the demons inform Kingpin that I plan to hide my research results from him," the man buried his head in his arms and complained, "I have no choice; I can't let Kingpin get my technology."

In this world, it's not clear if every female secretary is as charming and capable as Pepper Potts to Tony Stark.

At least as the president's secretary of the Brand Corporation, Genevieve met both of these requirements.

She was Herbert Landon's right-hand person and the one he trusted the most: "Mr. Landon, why don't you seek help from the Vatican? If the Church's power can assist you, then Kingpin won't be able to threaten you to hand over your research results."

"No..." Herbert growled softly, like a mother protecting her young: "My research results can only be mine; no one else can have them!"

Genevieve had to comfort the frightened man, as a mother would comfort an injured child.

However, just as Herbert's mood had slightly calmed, his phone rang, showing a blank number. This must be the King of Crime in New York, Kingpin, who controlled most of the criminal activities worldwide, calling.

Daring not to ignore it, Herbert finally gritted his teeth, picked up the phone from his seat, and answered, "Hello!"

"Landon? It's me!" A slow and steady voice came from the other end of the line, speaking calmly. It was indeed Kingpin: "My informant told me that you don't plan to continue adhering to the cooperation agreement signed with the Brand Corporation?"

Herbert was startled and quickly looked around the car, "Kingpin, are you monitoring me?"

Kingpin clearly didn't see this as a problem; he enjoyed the fear of others, especially his partners: "That's right, I like to closely monitor ongoing investment projects. You should focus on your work instead of trying to avoid my attention; only then can you get your rewards faster!"

"The research is going well..." Herbert didn't have the courage to confront Kingpin directly; he lacked the bravery: "I'm on my way to the newly opened tech center to give a speech. If you're interested, you can come and listen, or send an informant; I welcome it!"

Hearing the dial tone from the phone, Kingpin slammed his phone on the table. His assistant, Alistair Smythe, sneered, "What a rude person."

Kingpin, however, waved his hand to stop Alistair's complaint with interest: "It's fine; we need to give geniuses more leeway."

He opened the touchscreen computer on his desk and looked at the research data Herbert had stored in the Brand Corporation's main control system, saying, "If he can really create a super-mutant army through genetic modification for me to command and eliminate the superheroes who oppose me, then I can tolerate his occasional rudeness."

Alistair shook his head, "I don't trust him."

Kingpin countered, "Then, tell me, my strategist, who have you ever trusted?"

It seemed no one, but Alistair still said, "But I'm usually right." Not wanting to argue on this issue, Alistair asked, "By the way, your subordinate reported that a new energy fluctuation has erupted in Hell's Kitchen. Have you received the results of the investigation?"

Kingpin slammed his hand on the table, and the face of Old Babu's superior appeared on the computer screen. Kingpin roared, "Ferran, do you have any news?"

As the underground controller of Hell's Kitchen, Ferran lacked confidence in front of Kingpin. He kept wiping his sweat and explained, "That negative energy only appeared once. I've sent my men to investigate, and we will have news soon..."

They were talking about the night Imir lost control of his resentment and negative energy on his first night of resurrection. It seemed that Old Babu was indeed sent by Kingpin, but he was just unlucky and directly encountered Imir, becoming the first person to be killed after Imir's resurrection.

Ferran didn't know about Old Babu's death yet, but it probably wouldn't be hidden for long. Without receiving any reports from his men, Ferran would definitely send more people to investigate the apartment where Imir and his group lived. It was just a matter of what methods they would use.

***

Putting down the phone, Herbert felt much better, but he looked somewhat weak, "Genevieve, is the venue for the new tech center ready?"

Genevieve looked down at the memo on her lap and said, "Yes, the Hardy family has arranged everything. The editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson, is responsible for the exclusive interview tonight, and he has brought the best photographers from their newspaper."

This was the best news Herbert had heard all night. He managed a weak smile, "Well done, Genevieve!"

Genevieve asked with some concern, "Mr. Landon, are you really sure it's the right time to announce your new discovery in genetics?"

"I wish I could announce it later, but I need to reassure the 'main investor' of their doubts," although Kingpin, the so-called "main investor," hadn't actually invested a single cent, the underground society killers he sponsored would be of great help.

Herbert continued, "To keep him from bothering me, I will publicly release some preliminary research reports on the X-gene from now on. But for the sake of all humanity, I will not hand over the core research data until the final experiment is completed."

Genevieve was worried. Was it really a good idea to conduct this research? Even if it meant collaborating with Kingpin and using his killers to capture live mutants for experiments, was it really okay? Collaborating with Kingpin was like drinking poison to quench thirst!