Marvel and Beyond

The Cell Labs was a small venture with limited resources, something Max could easily discern from their equipment and facilities. However, the experienced researchers involved in its establishment had caught his attention.

At a time when Max had limited status and funds, acquiring such a tightly knit, desperate team…one with seemingly no hope beyond him was almost irresistible. He could practically feel himself drooling at the thought of such potential.

Though he had initially held no interest in them, with the T-virus now in his grasp, it would be a crime not to capitalize on it; to use this newfound advantage to secure a monopoly in the medical market.

The pharmaceutical and medical industries were awash with money. Even a small share of that wealth could catapult him into the ranks of the world's most successful tycoons.

Following Alex's lead, Max toured the lab, observing the work environment and reviewing the projects currently underway. 

From his perspective, the projects felt more like placeholders tasks the team likely took on just to stay busy, keep their hands moving while their hopes stalled.

As they walked through the facility, Alex introduced Max to each team member, highlighting their expertise and research portfolios. 

It was all just a formality. Everyone knew Max had likely already reviewed comprehensive files on every one of them, probably memorized them.

Still, Max noticed the researchers were visibly anxious as he examined their current projects and past achievements. Their sweating brows and nervous trembling didn't go unnoticed.

'How bleak must their future look for them to act this way?' he thought, shaking his head slightly in exasperation as the tour concluded.

Finally, they arrived at Alex's office. Now, the real negotiations would begin between Max and Alex, a battle of skill and strategy.

Alex needed to instill confidence in Max to secure funding, while Max had his own agenda: either acquiring the lab and its team outright or securing a significant stake that would ensure they worked under him from this point forward.

Alex motioned for Max to take a seat as he settled into his own chair. Without wasting a moment, he placed a file on the table with subtle formality.

"Mr. Knight, as you've seen, we're currently working on a few projects that are nearing completion. Following that, we plan to engage in research that will require significant funding," Alex said, clearing his throat.

He paused briefly, searching for the right words, the air heavy with tension.

"This file outlines our next major focus in the research field," he added, sliding the file toward Max with visible hesitation.

Max kept his expression neutral as he accepted the file, his eyes darting between Alex's subtle expressions and the words on the pages, dissecting every detail with razor-sharp focus.

Internally, Max smirked. 'So, they're basically out of money. Their current projects are ending, and they're throwing ideas in the dark. No incoming work, no fallback plans.'

Keeping his thoughts to himself, Max flipped through the file, scanning the highlighted topics. 

Some pages were dense with technical terminology, but they didn't faze him.

A day ago, they might have given him a headache. 

But now, with the knowledge he possessed, on par with someone qualified to lead Umbrella's top-level R&D team, these pages barely scratched the surface of his understanding.

 In fact, he was already seeing flaws, gaps... opportunities.

A faint grin crept onto Max's face as he continued reading, occasionally glancing at Alex to keep him on edge. 

Every so often, he allowed a slight frown to surface—subtle, but deliberate, just enough to make Alex squirm.

Meanwhile, Alex himself was under immense pressure, watching Max intently. 

His fingers fidgeted against the tabletop. His eyes flicked toward Max's hands, trying to decode every turn of the page, every twitch of his brow. 

The silence stretched thin, taut as a wire.

Max closed the file slowly, letting the silence grow heavier before releasing a deliberate sigh of disappointment. Just loud enough for Alex to catch.

"Alex," Max began, his tone flat but cutting, "this file is full of jargon. Technical terms, projections, vague plans. But I see nothing solid. No clear direction. No real vision."

"It feels like a lost cause," he continued. "So, let me ask you directly…do you have any concrete plan for the future? Because I don't invest in dreams built on vapor."

Alex's expression crumbled, his composure folding like wet paper. His shoulders slumped, trembling beneath the crushing weight of Max's words, which shattered the last of his defenses.

Even with funding, could they secure a future? Without a compelling theory, a roadmap, or even a stable foundation, the lab and its people were drifting. 

A sentimental sinkhole, not a stepping stone.

But the real world had no space for sentimentality. Success demanded more than nostalgia; it demanded structure, direction, ruthless momentum.

A hopeless sigh escaped Alex's lips. He clenched his jaw, his fingers twitching helplessly. 

"You're right," he admitted in a low, defeated voice. "But… we still…" He trailed off, words refusing to form, throat dry as sand.

Max's eyes narrowed, his grin sharpening ever so slightly. The negotiator across from him was broken. Cracked under pressure. Just as planned.

He nodded to himself and leaned forward slightly, fingers interlacing with precision. It was time to move.

"I have a proposal," Max said, his tone cool and assured. "Something we Knights have been planning for a while. And now, with this…" he tapped the file gently "we finally have the direction we've been looking for."

Alex, who had been staring at the table, slowly raised his eyes. The haze in his expression began to clear, his blurred perception of reality starting to sharpen. 

Max's eyes, gleaming with controlled ambition, reflected a future not yet written but already believed in.

It was infectious. Like staring at someone who'd already seen the ending and knew exactly how they'd get there.

Alex swallowed hard. His throat felt like sandpaper. He nodded slowly, motioning for Max to continue.

"I want to start a biotech company," Max declared. "And for that, I need a team. Your team. But don't worry, I'm not asking you to abandon everything. On the contrary, I've got a structure. A plan. Something far more robust than the rudderless path you've been walking."

"So, here's my offer: I want to buy your lab."

Alex flinched, just barely but Max caught it. A twitch from hesitation. A spark of resistance.

"I know what happened with your last project," Max continued, his voice steady, commanding. "I'm not here to erase your legacy or deny your contributions. But the contracts you'll be working under with me will be far stricter than anything you've seen before."

He leaned in, voice just low enough to draw Alex further into the moment.

"If, for some reason, I fail; if this venture doesn't go as planned, you and your team will still receive full funding from me for any promising research ideas that emerge from within. No strings attached."

Max leaned back, letting the silence speak for him.

"What do you think?"

…

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