"You old folks are so jumpy!"
Fang Yuan echoed Lucifer's words.
He spread his arms. "I kept saying I came to show you the serums."
Stan's face was grim; things had spiraled so far he almost wished Fang Yuan had come for a power-grab instead.
Anything would be less humiliating than this.
His usually sharp judgment had slipped today, and Stan couldn't accept it.
"What kind of serums are these?" he asked with a sigh.
"Superpower Serums!"
Fang Yuan pointed at the vials, introducing each in turn.
"They grant a chosen superpower."
"Blue gives Cryokinesis, red is Pyrokinesis, green boosts physical stats…"
"Hmm?"
"All of this is real?"
Stan realized their potential at once and pressed for confirmation.
"Of course!" Fang Yuan nodded. "Aren't these way better than your temp compound v with its nasty side effects?"
At this point Stan didn't even care how Fang Yuan knew about the temporary compound v.
His mind was fixed solely on the serums.
"These are all fruits of compound v research?" Stan asked.
"Exactly. Your scientists are useless—decades and only a temp product." Fang Yuan took a jab at his peers.
Never mind that he had a super-AI, Athena, plus a research template loaded with Iron Man, Iron Man's dad, Bruce Banner—even the Joker. Vought's scientists never stood a chance.
"These are just the tip of the iceberg. I've got thirty-plus tailored serums ready for almost any need," Fang Yuan said.
"Thirty-plus?" Stan's eyes sparkled. "Sell these to the Military and they'll build a full super-soldier corps; Vought's place in the Military-Industrial Complex will be unshakable!"
"We're just getting started."
Fang Yuan looked at him like he was making a fuss over nothing and produced a white vial.
"This is an improved compound v—Superpower Serum. Zero side-effects, works on everyone." He stressed the last word: "Everyone!"
Stan's breath caught; a universal power serum spelled limitless profit.
But a thought doused his excitement like cold water.
Decades as Vought's CEO had trained him to think big picture.
If every street corner had Superhumans, what happened to ordinary folk?
What would society even look like?
At Vought you only needed to mouth social responsibility, but upheaval on this scale would hit their bottom line.
Yet Stan realized he couldn't stop it.
Looking at the crowd around, he counted himself lucky Fang Yuan hadn't simply taken control; push back and who knew what might happen?
Stan felt pathetic—he was Vought's top man, yet ever since Fang Yuan showed up he'd been led by the nose.
Worse, he never saw the next blow coming.
Who knew where Fang Yuan kept pulling these serums from?
compound v had existed for decades; Vought never stopped tweaking it and only managed slightly safer, castrated versions.
What Fang Yuan offered was so advanced calling it compound v felt like Vought was claiming credit it didn't deserve.
"A deal."
Fang Yuan raised a finger.
"Do as I say and you live."
"Don't ask what."
Stan Edgar narrowed his eyes. "Sounds like I don't get a choice."
Fang Yuan shrugged. "Stan Edgar will walk out of this restaurant tonight either way."
A chill ran through Stan.
The man who walked out might still be called Stan Edgar—but it wouldn't be him.
"Fine, I agree." Stan nodded at once.
He'd already been hunting a successor and planning retirement; no need to die for Vought.
It was all just business.
His relationship with Vought was business too.
If Vought couldn't guarantee a safe retirement, cutting a deal with Fang Yuan carried zero guilt.
Would Stan feel humiliated?
If he could, he wouldn't have lasted as CEO.
Seeing Stan make the smart choice, Fang Yuan smiled in satisfaction.
He flicked a hand; everyone in the restaurant rose, returned to their seats, and pretended nothing had happened.
"Price the custom serums high—sell mainly to the Military or top brass."
"Standard Superpower Serum can be cheaper; let ordinary folks afford it if they stretch!"
Fang Yuan laid out the plan.
"Oh, and gift this Gold Serum to key Military or government figures—it's way better than the standard." He produced a vial of golden fluid.
"Understood!"
Stan nodded, accepting every point.
Whether the elite Gold Serum carried hidden extras never crossed his mind.
Since he was on board, the more company the better.
"Right—register every person who manifests powers," Fang Yuan emphasized. "Crucial!"
Stan's pupils shrank; Fang Yuan was treating the public as test subjects—anyone with a potent power might vanish overnight.
But moral scruples were never a Vought product; Stan agreed to handle it diligently.
Offer a few perks, hype them up as future celebs, and people would queue to register.
Such was the pull of Vought star power.
"All right, bring in the food."
Done, Fang Yuan waved for Stan to start the meal.
Free meal—why not?
"By the way, what kind of restaurant is this?" he asked.
"French."
Fang Yuan bailed instantly: "Then bye!"
Hours for a meal that leaves you hungrier, opposite some geezer? No thanks.
Back at Seven Tower, Fang Yuan planned to grab Starlight and Kimiko for dinner—then have them for dessert.
But outside his room he spotted a stunning figure.
"Maeve, you really do look better in civvies." He cocked an eyebrow.
Maeve smiled lightly: "Then how about dinner and a few styling tips?"
Fang Yuan blinked, then nodded eagerly.
"Absolutely!"
That night Maeve lied—she skipped dinner and devoured Fang Yuan instead.
Fang Yuan didn't keep his word either.
He gave her no styling advice, but plenty of… positional suggestions.
You will get 90 chapter ahead for this fanfiction.
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