204: Chapter 204 I can pay for it

"Sorry, I didn't hold back."

Lin Fang's smile faded from his face, returning to calmness. "Mr. Clifford, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Lin Fang. I don't know if you've heard of Third-Party Technology—that's my company."

Third-Party Technology?

That emerging company that suddenly rose to prominence in Lime City?

Howard had heard his subordinates mention it, but he hadn't paid it much mind. In his eyes, it was just a small company after all.

But now, the founder of this small company had appeared before him in such a shocking manner, displaying abilities far beyond his comprehension.

And what kind of ability was this? Could the human body alone really achieve something like this?

"What do you want?"

Howard repeated the question while secretly observing the other man.

Lin Fang released the Force Field restraining him, speaking in a relaxed, natural tone. "That comes later. Before that, I'd like to invite you, Mr. Clifford, to watch a movie first."

A movie? Howard was puzzled.

Under Howard's gaze, the holographic projection device on the floor, which only he had the authority to activate, turned on by itself. An image appeared out of thin air.

The footage began with a research base shrouded in night...

Initially, Howard watched with confusion and the anger of being coerced. But as the plot progressed, his expression gradually froze. In this unknown movie, there was also a Lime City, with his company's logo. Howard even saw an old man—though the appearance was somewhat different, everything else was identical.

What horrified Howard was,

this old man's name was also Howard Clifford...

Howard remained silent, continuing to watch the content that followed.

He saw himself using the "R" project to control countless pokémon, causing chaos in the city; he saw Tim and Pikachu tracking him down; he saw his own secret laboratory and that pokémon with terrifying power—Mewtwo.

Finally, he used consciousness transfer to control it.

Howard saw the version of himself in the footage successfully take over Mewtwo's body. That world-destroying power seemed within reach, and he even felt a subconscious surge of excitement.

However, that excitement was fleeting, replaced by a deeper chill. The protagonist within failed. A lifelong pursuit ended in such a way, despised by everyone.

After a long while, Howard murmured, "This can't be real."

"I think so too," Lin Fang agreed. "You are far more shrewd than the one in the movie. You wouldn't be foolish enough to end up in such a miserable state."

"Perhaps he knew there was no more time left to act..."

Howard sighed, his gaze re-evaluating Lin Fang. "Sir, this method is nothing short of miraculous. I even feel that you must have penetrated all the secrets within Clifford Industries to produce this video."

"Perhaps," Lin Fang smiled, returning to his original question. "Mr. Clifford, guess what I want?"

"Judging by your abilities, the only thing that could possibly catch your eye is my company, right?"

"You are correct,"

Lin Fang leaned in, that expression that made Howard's heart palpitate reappearing on his face. "As long as you submit to me, work for me, the things you desire might not be impossible to achieve."

Suddenly, a brown box appeared in Lin Fang's hand. Opening it revealed it was filled with deep blue capsules. They had a name: Immortality Capsules.

Using these to control old men who were advanced in age and didn't want to die was already a familiar routine for Lin Fang.

"Our company's product, the Immortality Capsules. Just one is enough to stimulate your body's vitality, allowing you to live for another two years."

Howard Clifford's gaze, as if drawn by a magnet, locked onto that box of deep blue capsules. Then his lips moved. "Is there an upper limit?"

Naturally, there was. Its raw material, the genetic optimization serum, could at most extend the user's lifespan by 50 years. According to Mite's experiments, relying solely on these capsules, living an additional 40 years was already the drug's limit.

In reality, those old men in the Bright Council were still unaware of this, still fantasizing that this alone could grant them immortality. They were truly overthinking it...

The Howard before him was much more astute than them, or rather, more clear-headed, immediately asking the key question.

Lin Fang did not conceal it.

But clearly, this number still exceeded Howard's expectations.

"Fo... forty years?!"

Howard repeated the number. He had anticipated an upper limit—maybe ten, even fifteen years. But forty? This completely overturned his realm of understanding. What level of biotechnology could achieve such a degree?

"Sir, I can pay to buy them. Whether it's 1 billion or 2 billion dollars per capsule, or even more, it's completely possible. And Clifford Industries will become your partner, it won't..."

Howard tried to obtain these capsules through another method, but his words were cut off halfway by Lin Fang.

Lin Fang looked meaningfully at Howard's wrinkled hands. "Mr. Clifford, our most precious, and fairest, asset is time. But for you, it seems unfair. Just as you once said, why should someone as exceptional as you die like those mediocre, unremarkable people?"

"So you are unwilling. You are trying. But like the outcome in the movie, you failed."

Howard couldn't muster a rebuttal at this moment. What alarmed him was why the other party understood him so well. This feeling of being completely seen through was more terrifying to him than the earlier Force Field restraint.

Could that movie be real? No, absolutely not. How could something so absurd...

"You should be grateful for my appearance, which gives you a choice. And the only way you can obtain it is to agree to my demand—become one of my subordinates, to be driven by me."

Lin Fang's words made Howard smile bitterly. Indeed, where could such a miraculous drug be measured by money? Not to mention his aim was to control him, to take over Clifford Industries.

If Howard were in his position, he would absolutely not agree either.

"What if I refuse?" Howard asked.

Hearing this, Lin Fang's expression remained unchanged. He just sighed slightly. "That really puts me in a difficult position, Mr. Clifford. I quite admire you. But the result would be the same, except you wouldn't be here."

"Sir..." Howard still wanted to say something to negotiate, but the young man's icy words instantly froze all his thoughts.

"Enough talk. My patience only allows for one final sentence from you."