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“The exact release date is difficult to confirm. I can’t predict the length of the clinical trials yet, so everyone can follow Umbrella’s official website for updates.”
Adrian answered directly.
“As for diseases caused by other viruses, I personally believe the possibilities are enormous, but we will need time to prove that.”
The second question came from a blond reporter from overseas.
“Mr. Cross, as far as I know, viruses do not devour one another. Your claimed result sounds rather absurd. Would you be willing to release the experimental data and technical details?”
Adrian smiled, unimpressed.
The overseas reporters clearly had their own agenda.
First they cast doubt on the premise, then they tried to provoke him into revealing his research.
They thought his age made him easy to bait.
They were wrong.
“Whether you believe it or not does not matter,” Adrian said.
“Science and technology are always moving forward. It will not be long before we begin selling the HIV/AIDS cure. Facts will speak louder than any argument here.”
As soon as he finished, Evelyn selected the final question.
“Mr. Cross, this research could be called a milestone in biological science. Would you be willing to disclose more information about the experiment so scientists around the world can participate and benefit humanity together?”
The wording was polished.
Of course it was.
They had dressed the question up as moral virtue before handing it to him.
Adrian gave a faint smile.
“Of course.”
The local reporters and experts immediately tensed.
“As soon as the United States destroys its nuclear arsenal for the benefit of humanity, contact me. I will consider releasing my experimental data then.”
If they wanted to talk about benefiting humanity, then he could talk about benefiting humanity too.
They could destroy their nuclear weapons, and he could release his data.
But nuclear weapons would never be destroyed.
The answer tore the cover off the question.
For a moment, the people trying to corner him had nothing to say.
Adrian announced the end of the press conference without hesitation and left the venue without looking back.
No matter how anyone reacted, the press conference had already achieved an enormous impact.
The national evening news spent a full five minutes on it.
News outlets around the world reported the story from their own positions.
Friendly countries praised the breakthrough.
Hostile ones pushed conspiracy theories.
But in an information-driven society, some things could not be contained.
Especially when the subject was a disease long considered nearly impossible to cure.
More than forty million people around the world were living with HIV/AIDS.
Within a short time, the news tore across the internet.
People everywhere began talking.
At the same time, biologists around the world started studying the fragments Adrian had revealed.
What little he had shown barely scratched the surface, yet it was enough to suggest an entirely new field.
The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Russia’s State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology, Canada’s BSL-4 laboratories, and more than a dozen other top facilities around the world began organizing teams to verify and study the new scientific approach he had described.
They could not yet be certain Adrian’s method would cure HIV/AIDS.
But the possibility of cultivating a new virus capable of devouring other viruses was enough to open a new chapter in human life science.
While the entire world moved because of the press conference, Adrian was back at the villa that concealed the entrance to the underground base, letting Evelyn work the tension out of his shoulders.
“I told you,” Adrian interrupted.
“When it is just the two of us, call me Adrian. We know each other well enough by now.”
A faint blush rose on Evelyn’s face.
“Adrian, the New Harbor branch of Construction Bank called today. They are willing to lend us another two billion dollars interest-free.”
“Two billion, interest-free?”
He smiled faintly.
Everything was unfolding exactly as he had expected.
Bankers were sharp.
Now that they had seen Umbrella’s potential, they did not want to lose him as a client.
Before today, they would have been desperate to recover the two billion Umbrella already owed.
“Continue developing according to my plan,” Adrian said casually.
“If we need additional funding, take the loan.”
“Understood.” Evelyn nodded seriously.
“One more thing. The bank told me Victor Quinn has been asking people to pressure them into calling in Umbrella’s previous loan.”
“That clown?” Adrian said with a dismissive smile.
“Let him wait until I have time for him.”
Victor Quinn was not capable of creating any real trouble for him.
Time passed.
One week later, Dr.
Hart hurried to Adrian, visibly excited.
“Mr. Cross, the animal trials on all twenty chimpanzees are complete. Here is the full experimental data.”
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