15: Chapter 15 Signature and Binding

Green pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose and took out three printed copies of the contract from his briefcase, his movements precise and efficient. He first looked at Webber, and after receiving a nod of approval, he spread the contracts out in front of Chen Feng.

"Mr. Chen, according to Mr. Webber's wishes, the contract terms have been simplified to the extreme." Green's voice was devoid of emotion, possessing only the rigor of a legal professional. "Mr. Webber is investing one hundred million dollars into Maple Leaf Bio in his own name in exchange for a 1% equity stake. This money does not involve any voting rights, management rights, or technical audit rights."

Green flipped to the second page and pointed to a paragraph of bolded text: "The only core additional clause is the confidentiality agreement for the 'Eternal' project, as well as Mr. Webber's first priority usage rights for the project's results. Simply put, when the medicine is produced, it goes to him first."

Chen Feng scanned the contract, his fingertips lightly tracing the string of zeros in "one hundred million dollars." In the South District of Los City, this amount of money could buy the lives of an entire street, but in this suite, it was merely an admission ticket.

"What about the liability for breach of contract?" Chen Feng asked.

"Very lenient," Green replied. "If you voluntarily terminate the 'Eternal' research and development, or if it is proven that the funds were misappropriated and you cannot provide evidence of R&D progress, you will need to refund the principal. Other than that, there are no bet-on agreements."

Chen Feng looked up at Webber. The old man was closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. From beneath his fragile frame, a suffocating pressure emanated, causing the atmosphere in the entire room to suddenly tighten.

"Add one more clause." Chen Feng took the Parker pen from Green and spun it between his fingers. "Mr. Webber and Attorney Green shall not, in any form, disclose the formula, process of ruisu, or the existence of the 'Eternal' project to any third party. If leaked, the investment will not be refunded, and the cooperation will automatically terminate."

Green froze for a moment and instinctively looked at Webber. In the U Federation, there were few young people who dared to temporarily add such "overlord clauses" to an investment contract of this level.

Webber opened his eyes, a hint of a smile appearing in his aged gaze. "Add it. This kid is even more cautious than I imagined, which is a good thing. Green, handwrite it in, and the three of us will sign."

Green didn't waste any words and modified it on the spot.

With a few scratching sounds, ink soaked into the paper. The moment Chen Feng signed his name, the system panel flashed rapidly in his mind.

[Detected a massive injection of external funds. Maple Leaf Bio's financial rating has been upgraded from "On the Verge of Bankruptcy" to "Abundant Funds".]

[Mission One: Develop a biopharmaceutical product that can be marketed for sale. Current progress: 90% (Funding gap filled, awaiting clearance of legal risks).]

Chen Feng put down the pen and looked at Webber. "The contract is signed. What about my 'troubles'?"

Webber didn't speak; he simply reached for the landline on the coffee table. He dialed a private number and turned on the speakerphone.

The phone rang twice, and a deep, tired voice came from the other end: "Webber? Calling me at this hour—aren't you dead yet?"

"Jack, old friend, I haven't seen you retire yet, so how could I bear to leave?" Webber's tone was relaxed, as if they were chatting about where to go fishing tomorrow. "I wanted to ask you something. Has the Los Angeles Field Office been investigating a small company called 'Maple Leaf Bio' recently? The team is led by a young man named Ford."

Silence lasted for about five seconds on the other end. Chen Feng could hear the sound of documents being flipped.

"There is such a case. C-2 level alert, suspected of illegal development of biological weapon precursors. Why? Is this company related to you?"

"That's a project I invested in," Webber said nonchalantly. "Ford is a good boy, but he's too young and easily mistakes a genius's creativity for a threat. That case—drop it. I guarantee that what they are making is just medicine to save people."

"Webber, this isn't according to the rules..."

"Your son's tuition at Yale—I've already had the foundation prepare the sponsorship for next semester. Also, that vacation home in Palm Beach you had your eye on last year? A real estate agent will call you tomorrow." Webber interrupted the other party's refusal directly, his tone as flat as if he were discussing the weather.

The other side fell into silence again. After a few seconds, the voice spoke again: "Ford's authorization expires on Monday. If I don't sign for an extension, the case will automatically be moved to the archives. But you have to remind your little friend that people like Ford are like mad dogs; he trusts data, not orders. I can suppress the overt investigation, but I can't control what he does privately."

"That's enough. See you Monday, Jack."

Webber hung up the phone and looked at Chen Feng. "Did you hear that? FBI Los Angeles Field Office Director Jack Dawson, my old golfing buddy. That kid Ford's investigation warrant will become waste paper on Monday. But he is indeed a problem; he represents those 'technological fundamentalists' within the FBI who only see molecular formulas. You'd better not let him catch any substantial evidence against you."

Chen Feng nodded, making a note of the name "Ford." Someone like this, who clamped down like a hound and wouldn't let go, was indeed harder to deal with than a director who just took money to get things done.

Webber didn't stop and dialed a second call.

"Los Angeles Pacific United Bank, Vice President Morris? This is Webber. Yes, that eight hundred and seventy thousand dollar loan for Maple Leaf Bio will be paid in full on Monday, transferred directly from my family trust account. Also, adjust this company's credit rating to the highest level; they will be my strategic partners from now on."

Even without the speakerphone, Chen Feng could clearly hear the fawning voice coming from the other end.

Two phone calls. Less than five minutes in total.

Chen Feng stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the brilliant lights outside, but his heart was cold. He had previously exhausted his efforts in planning, lying, and even preparing to face an FBI interrogation, but in the face of a power network of Webber's caliber, these troubles were like cobwebs blocking the path—wiped away with a casual stroke.

This was the truth of the U Federation. Laws were prepared for the poor, while rules were for the rich to exchange.

"Alright, young man." Webber stood up with Green's assistance. His movements were slow, and every step seemed exceptionally heavy. "I've moved those two mountains for you. The first fifty million dollars will arrive in your company's account within three minutes. The remaining fifty million will be credited by the end of the month."

Chen Feng turned around and looked at the old man who was nearing the end of his life.

"Kid, I've seen too many geniuses die when their fame came too early. Your medicine has shown me the future, but the future only belongs to those who live long enough." Webber walked to the door and looked back at Chen Feng. "I'll have Green arrange the channels for the Hua Federation side within a week. Until then, take good care of your laboratory."

As Green picked up the briefcase to follow, Da Hei suddenly crawled out from under the sofa, appearing silently at Green's feet.

Da Hei's shoulder height of nearly one and a half meters and the stark white fangs exposed outside its lips looked exceptionally terrifying in the dim light of the corridor. It didn't bark, but simply stared at Green with eyes that glowed with a ghostly green light.

"Oh! God!" Green was so startled he shuddered, nearly dropping the briefcase in his hand. He stumbled back two steps, his back slamming heavily against the doorframe.

"Da Hei, don't be naughty," Chen Feng beckoned.

Only then did Da Hei withdraw its gaze and slowly walk to Chen Feng's side, rubbing its massive head against his palm.

Webber looked at Da Hei with a flash of admiration in his eyes, then smiled and disappeared at the end of the corridor.

The room fell silent once again.

Chen Feng sat back on the sofa and took out his phone. The screen lit up as a bank deposit notification popped up.

"Your account ending in 8802 has received a deposit of $50,000,000.00 on... balance is $50,012,478.00."

Tony poked his head out from the inner bedroom, his face pale and his legs still trembling. "Boss... are we, are we billionaires now?"

Looking at the string of zeros, Chen Feng didn't feel the wild joy he had imagined. Instead, he felt a strong sense of urgency.

One hundred million dollars had bought his life, and it had also bought Webber's.

"Don't just stand there." Chen Feng stood up and patted Da Hei's head. "Go get Marcus. Throw out all that junk in the lab. We're going to buy the best equipment and the highest-grade consumables. Within thirty days, I want ruisu to land in the Hua Federation."

He walked to the window and looked toward the South District in the distance. It was still dark and chaotic, but he knew that from this moment on, Maple Leaf Bio was no longer that small workshop scavenging for strains in the sewers.

On the system panel, the progress bar for Mission One was slowly advancing toward 100%.

"The FDA won't give us approval?" Chen Feng gave a cold laugh. "Then I'll smash that sign back from across the ocean."