In the end, Qian Wenhuan had made arrangements for Anthony and Jennifer to lead a group of expert negotiators and depart for Los Angeles.

Anthony and Jennifer were both Swiss. Just like Qian Wenhuan, they were employees for Preston Company. One of them was a business negotiator whereas the other was a legal consultant and they were both sent to Africa after Chen Chen had acquired their company.

In the beginning, the duo was attracted by the attractive salary the company offered and had intended to resign after working for a couple of years. However, they did not expect Blacklight Biotechnology to expand so smoothly in Africa and the duo decided to settle down longer.

Once the group landed in Los Angeles, the group spent a night resting up before heading toward Osmond Biotech Ltd. the next day.

Jennifer was wearing a white-collared OL costume. As she exited a rented multipurpose vehicle, she frowned at what she saw.

Their destination was close to a rural area and the entire location just seemed deserted. In front of her was an office building that seemed old and almost ruined. It was evident that the building had at least fifteen years of history.

“Is this Osmond Biotech Ltd.'s head office?”

Jennifer shook her head and said, “It looks just like any other ordinary company. I've no idea why would boss want us to purchase this business.”

Anthony shrugged and said, “Nevermind, these aren't something we should care about. Besides, it looks like they didn't even bother to greet us. I guess we should just go ahead and enter.”

Then, the duo led the group into the office building.

“We're the employees of Blacklight Biotechnology. I'm Anthony, from the Business Development Department and this is Jennifer from the Legal Department. We have an appointment with the representatives of Osmond Biotech Ltd. on the 23rd floor.”

Inside the office building, Anthony was answering the security guard's questions patiently.

“Please hold on a moment.”

The security guard took up his phone and dialed Osmond Biotech Ltd.'s number.

After two minutes had pa.s.sed, the guard finally put down the phone and said, “It's settled now. Please head upstairs. The people of Osmond Biotech Ltd. are expecting you.”

“Thank you.”

The group went into an elevator and soon found themselves reaching the 23rd floor.

Upon exiting the elevator, the group was immediately greeted by a blond-haired woman.

The blond-haired woman had an attractive figure, dressed in what seemed like a typical secretary would wear. However, her reaction was not enthusiastic at all. “You must be the people from Blacklight Biotechnology. Please follow me.”

Then, she hastily turned around and walked toward the meeting room.

Her att.i.tude was unpleasant enough to raise a few more eyebrows.

When the group reached the meeting room, she merely instructed the group to wait a bit longer before she left them cluelessly in the room.

“This doesn't feel right.”

Jennifer took a look at her surroundings and said, “This company didn't seem welcoming at all. Do they not know that we're here to provide fundings?”

“It must be that the funding round has been concluded.”

Anthony pondered and said, “We're late to the party.”

Just when the group was whispering to each other, a middle-aged man dressed in a business suit entered the room. “My apologies, everyone. I just came here from another meeting and had to make you wait for a little.”

Then, he extended his hand toward Anthony and said, “My name is Parker, the founder of Osmond Biotech Ltd. I also currently serve as one of the company's board directors and its CEO.”

Anthony and the group stood and took turns to shake hands as well. “We're the managers of the Blacklight Biotechnology Business Development Department. Beside me is Jennifer, who's from the Legal Department. It's a pleasure meeting you.”

After a round of introduction, both sides took their seats with Parker initiating the discussion. “Blacklight Biotechnology's reputation has been soaring for the past two years. May I ask what's the purpose of your visit today? Is there something that we can collaborate on?”

“I've heard that your company is undergoing a B Series financing. Is that true?”

Anthony asked, “According to our understanding, your company has been developing at a rapid pace in the past two years. While I don't know what your current business strategies are, I do feel that you may want a strategic investor like us.”

Then, Anthony snapped his finger as his subordinate immediately handed a report over to him. He then pushed the agreement across the table to Parker. “Mr. Parker, being in the same industry, I believe I don't have to talk about Blacklight Biotechnology any further. Please take a look at this agreement.”

Parker nodded and received the agreement. After flipping over a few pages, he said, “Having Blacklight Biotechnology as our strategic investor is definitely a decent option. Regrettably, our B Series financing has been concluded and our board members have been elected. I'm afraid we can't accept this enticing offer.”

“Mr. Parker, do you not want to at least think about it?”

Anthony frowned and said, “After B Series financing, I trust that your company has a new goal to expand toward. This is where our company can be of great help.”

Parker shook his head and said, “Our company will soon be announcing our next step, which is to take out Alzheimer's disease.”

Parker let out a peal of light laughter and continued. “I'm aware that Blacklight Biotechnology has a program that's called the Alzheimer's Disease Reversal Treatment that's capable of suppressing the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. However, our goal isn't just to control the disease, we'd like to cure it.”

Anthony and Jennifer looked at each other as a sudden revelation became apparent. It was not surprising they were so unwelcoming of their visit. Could it be that Osmond Biotech Ltd. thought the people from Blacklight Biotechnology had caught wind of their plans and a.s.sumed that they were here to thwart it?

Anthony then pondered a bit further and things started to make sense. The only reason why they could afford to be so sn.o.bbish was that they did not only have a plan, the cure was already here!

Then, Anthony could not help but shook his head. He thought that the management must have known about the cure and had sent him to make the investment.

However, it looked like Anthony was about to fail his task.

Hence, Anthony followed the usual procedure to persuade Parker further. It was until Parker rejected once more that Anthony stood up and said, “If that's the case, we'll not insist. We shall make a move.”

From aside, Jennifer then pa.s.sed a name card to Parker and said, “If you decide to change your mind or have a C Series financing, perhaps you can consider our company's proposition.”

“For sure. Farewell, everyone.”

Then, Parker proceeded to send Anthony and his group off. Once the elevator door was closed, Parker then let out a worrisome expression. “D*mn it, have many people known about our research on that drug already? How's this possible…”

“Yes, Director Qian. They've declined our offer…

“As far as we know, they seemed to be researching an Alzheimer's disease cure and were completely indifferent toward our proposal.

“Alright, got it. I'll take a look at the venture capital companies.”

Outside the office building, Anthony gave Qian Wenhuan a phone call to provide the latest status update. Then, his next destination was to visit the venture capital companies that had invested in Osmond Biotech Ltd.

There were six venture capital companies that had invested in Osmond Biotech Ltd. Six separate financial conglomerates owned these companies and they owned a total of eighty percent stake in Osmond Biotech Ltd.

One of the companies, Munster Capital, had purchased a fifty percent stake in the company.

Unsurprisingly, it would be the next destination Anthony was heading to.

“During their negotiation, Munster Capital and Osmond Biotech Ltd. had both signed a bet-on agreement.”

Jennifer was frowning as she read the report in the car. “The agreement's condition was that Munster Capital would invest one billion US dollars worth of capital into Osmond Biotech Ltd. for a fifty percent equity stake. However, if Osmond Biotech Ltd. had failed to produce an effective cure for Alzheimer's disease by 31 December 2025, Munster Capital reserves the rights to demand Osmond Biotech Ltd. to repurchase its share. The repurchasing amount shall be the total of the capital invested plus an additional imposition of eight percent annual interest.”

Anthony was visibly at unease as he muttered, “Is Osmond Biotech Ltd. crazy? Many top pharmaceutical companies have failed to produce a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Signing this agreement isn't going to end well for them.”

“Unless…”

Anthony thought for a while and said, “Unless this company already has a ma.s.sive breakthrough in their research development, which explains their confidence!”

“If that's truly the case, I'm afraid it won't be as easy to acquire their shares anymore.”

Jennifer was worried too. “After all, if they're able to truly come up with a cure, it'll be a revolution in the medical field. The impact of this would surpa.s.s the responses we received when we announced the Alzheimer's Disease Reversal Treatment.”

“Agreed. I'll make sure to include this hypothesis in our report.”

Anthony was tense. As an employee of Blacklight Biotechnology, he understood the gravity of the situation. Once this company successfully produced an effective cure, it would reduce the “Alzheimer's Disease Reversal Treatment” to mere trash. It would bring ma.s.sive damage to Blacklight Biotechnology.

The best way to mitigate that harm was to acquire the company and sell it as one of the corporation's products.

Of course, Anthony would not be the only one having that idea. It was to be expected that these venture capital funds would have the same intentions too.

With a heavy heart, Anthony and his group found themselves at the entrance of a tower where Munster Capital was based. This time, none of the main stakeholders even came to greet Anthony. It was only a department manager who came to greet them.

It was evident that they had no interest in whatever proposition Anthony had. They were only here out of politeness.

Anthony could sense their true intention and proceed to inform the manager that they would visit another day before leaving the premises.

“There's another investor whose name is Clifford. He's the second-largest shareholder in Osmond Biotech Ltd. and is also Parker's business partner.”

Jennifer continued reading the materials as she prepared for the final sprint. “The report indicates that Clifford had earlier invested three million US dollars into the company, acquiring a forty percent stake in the company. However, after a round of angel crowdfunding and AB series fundings, he's now left with a stake of seven percent. It's not much, but if we can get it, at least we'll have something to show for our company.”

“Let me have a look.”

Anthony went to the computer and saw a man who looked like a tyc.o.o.n. “Very well, let's go meet him now.”

Following the information provided by Blacklight Biotechnology, Anthony and Jennifer soon found themselves in front of Clifford's home only to realize that he was preparing to head out.

He was an elderly person well past his sixties and had white hair and a beard growing on his face.

“Are you all from Blacklight Biotechnology?”

As Anthony appeared at the gate, Clifford's eyes immediately brightened up as he greeted them affectionately. “I've been wanting to see you all for a while. I've recently just decided to visit Eco Science City early next year. I wouldn't have thought I'd b.u.mped into you all so soon.”

“Well then, do you have some time to discuss an issue relating to your stakes in Osmond Biotech Ltd.?” Jeniffer said hastily, “It won't take up too much time.”

Hearing their proposal, Clifford then seemed to be in a conundrum. “I'm sorry, I was just about to head out to a good friend's party. Why not both of you follow me and we can discuss the details over at the event?”

“Are you sure?” Anthony felt that it was slightly inappropriate.

“Nothing inappropriate about that. The host is an affectionate gentleman who would welcome even uninvited guests. As long as I'm there, your presence won't bring any trouble at all to the host…”

Then, Clifford invited the duo into his car whereas the rest of the negotiation group returned to their hotel rooms.

Soon, Anthony and Jennifer found themselves in a manor at Beverly Hills.

Although they were no strangers to glamorous scenes, Jennifer still found herself awe-struck as she observed the glittering decorations of her surroundings that immediately transformed the manor into an elegant white palace.

There were luxury cars parked across the manor, each owned by a successful individual who was then personally escorted into the compound. Anthony had also received the same treatment.

“Old friend Clifford, long time no see!”

“Old friend!”

Near the entrance into the manor, a middle-aged man in his fifties gave Clifford a light hug. Then, he gave a curious look behind Clifford and asked, “Who are these people?”

“These are high-level representatives from Blacklight Biotechnology, they've come here to check out what the fuss is all about. You better not disappoint!”

The two men seemed to be close friends as Clifford was able to banter seamlessly with that person.

“The same Blacklight Biotechnology that came up with the Alzheimer's Disease Reversal Treatment and special anticancer medicines?” The man's eye brightened up as he took a closer look at the duo.

“Yes. I'm Anthony, a manager from Blacklight Biotechnology's Business Development Department. This is Jennifer, she's the manager of the Legal Department. It's an honor to meet you.”

Anthony spoke and behaved like a true gentleman.

“My friends, welcome to the party. You all have come just at the right time.”

The middle-aged man let out a burst of hearty laughter and said, “We have a few exciting scenes to show you all. I guarantee you'll have the shock of your lifetime!”

Then, the man pa.s.sionately welcomed the guests into his property.