"Mr. Zhou, there's an old saying in China: 'A wise man speaks plainly.' You really don't need to be so cautious," Alfred said with a relaxed expression, taking out a glass and pouring two drinks, pushing one towards Zhou Yi. "Your identity can't really withstand scrutiny, can it!"
"Tell me about it!" Zhou Yi sat down. Since his hidden identity had already been discovered, he could only take things as they came.
"There aren't many people in the world capable of developing that kind of metal armor. Mr. Tony Stark doesn't have the time. And Young Osborn is still studying in the UK, so there aren't many targets left," Alfred said with a confident smile. "Just by monitoring those related research institutions, it's easy to reach this conclusion."
"Speak, what do you want from me to make you keep this secret forever?" Zhou Yi asked with a cold face. "Is it just one hundred million dollars?"
"No, no, no, Mr. Zhou, you may not understand what I mean. I'm not blackmailing," Alfred waved his hand, feigning innocence. "I'm just seeking cooperation, that identity is just a stepping stone for me. I don't want to get anything from you with this. As I said, I just want a trade."
"Trade, you say trade. I don't think any information is worth one hundred million dollars," Zhou Yi directly picked up the glass, took a sip of the wine, and his tone softened slightly.
"For ordinary people, this news may not be worth that much. But for that New York superhero, or for a billionaire like you, it's definitely worth it," Alfred picked up the other glass. "Of course, a person like you is trustworthy enough for me to pay in advance."
"Go ahead, if you're really thinking of a fair trade," Zhou Yi raised his glass. He was waiting for Alfred to reveal the information worth one hundred million.
"Perhaps you already know about the experiments Mr. Machinos has been conducting. He once obtained a virus sample, and that sample is the key to all his experiments. And you, it seems, have been searching for the source of this virus sample, haven't you?"
Nodding, Zhou Yi acknowledged Alfred's guess. Alfred continued,
"This virus sample comes from the British vampire family, the Victor Family. Of course, you'll need to find further clues on your own."
"Do you think this information is worth one hundred million?" Zhou Yi sneered, expressing his dissatisfaction. To exchange such superficial clues for one hundred million in funds was simply wishful thinking.
"This is just an appetizer, just a small token of my sincerity to you. The reason I mentioned this clue is because it's closely related to the main course I'm about to tell you about. However..."
"I'll arrange it, one hundred million US dollars will be transferred to your account within twenty-four hours." Zhou Yi, already impatient, directly stated the price he was willing to pay. Of course, he had the confidence to do so; after all, the Ashford Family was a centuries-old noble family and wouldn't stoop to deceiving him for such a small sum of money.
"You are a straightforward businessman. Of course, so am I!" Alfred smiled. "The rest of the main course is not ordinary, believe me. If you handle it properly, perhaps Umbrella Corporation will be under your name."
"Umbrella isn't simple, are you sure you're not joking?" This time, Zhou Yi became serious. If Alfred wasn't joking, then his information was indeed worth this price. Of course, the premise was that the detailed content of his information could achieve the effect he described.
Alfred wore a confident expression as he began to explain his information to Zhou Yi in detail.
"Umbrella is a company with immense capabilities, and I believe you, Mr. Zhou Yi, are certainly aware of this. Its industries encompass medicine, biological research, and the development of five weapons. Although it is not as large as Stark Industries and Osborn Industries in scale, it is definitely one of the top giants in the world."
"Those of us who are involved in such matters often know the inside story of how much underhandedness exists within such a company. These things may not be suitable for public exposure, but they are not secrets to us."
"However, Umbrella has a dangerous project, a true secret that many people don't understand. But as a descendant of the founder of this company, I do know some of the details. This secret poses a great threat to the world."
"Threat? You're not joking, are you?" Zhou Yi felt that Alfred was exaggerating. There were threats everywhere in this world, and even Osborn Industries had several huge nuclear power plants in operation. If something went wrong with them, it would be a huge threat as well.
"A real threat, more terrifying than the threat of nuclear weapons." Alfred made his comparison. "A few nuclear bombs might not have much impact on the world, but if the results of this secret were leaked, the number of deaths for humanity might be far greater than that caused by nuclear weapons!"
"Bio-weapons?" Zhou Yi sat up straight. If it was a bio-weapon like mustard gas, which was explicitly prohibited internationally, it could indeed be used to shake this behemoth. But it was only shaking it, and it wouldn't be easy to go further.
"That's right, bio-weapons. Or rather, biological viruses. A biological virus that can create a new situation!" Alfred gave a definite answer.
In the instant he gave his answer, Zhou Yi immediately thought of the monster Yasa had become, a terrifying transformation brought about by viral experiments.
"Decades ago, my grandfather, Edward Ashford, and some of his friends discovered an ancient biological virus in the remote African region. This virus was found in a plant called the Sun Staircase, a previously unknown virus capable of altering the chromosomes of biological cells. In some ways, it could even promote the evolution of organisms."
"After discovering this virus, my grandfather and his colleagues founded the Umbrella Corporation. They kept this virus as the company's top secret, developing it for decades. Unfortunately, after my grandfather passed away, my incompetent father was unable to maintain the family's position in the company. Now, the Victor Family has been relegated to the fringes of Umbrella. We've been pushed out of the virus development."
"So you can sell Umbrella's secrets without any scruples?" Zhou Yi sneered, gaining a new understanding of this young European nobleman.
"Betrayal is never because of a lack of loyalty, but because the price is too high! For the Ashford Family, Umbrella no longer has any value. Why not use its inevitable demise to gain more benefits for ourselves?" Alfred frankly admitted his thoughts, displaying the true demeanor of a nobleman, one who would stop at nothing for profit.
"I'm sorry, but I haven't seen any signs of Umbrella's impending demise yet," Zhou Yi interrupted with a cold laugh, not wanting to discuss this issue with Alfred.
"My friend, patience is a virtue." Alfred was very tolerant of his benefactor, patiently explaining. "Where were we? Ah, yes. Umbrella's core, the Progenitor Virus."
"Its power is immense, but it's difficult to fully develop it with current technology. Umbrella has been working hard, and they've already achieved some results in certain areas. Want to guess what these areas are?"
"It definitely won't be in the medical field." As a weapons merchant, Zhou Yi naturally knew what truly brought in the big bucks for a company. "They developed bio-weapons using this virus?"
"That's right, my friend. You are very astute!" Alfred revealed a sinister smile. "Tempted by profit, they long ago abandoned the Progenitor Virus's most correct path, choosing a dangerous route. The current leaders of Umbrella and key figures in the US Military reached an agreement; they wanted to use this virus to perfect the US Military's Super Soldier Program. But they didn't expect to develop something dangerous."
"This bio-weapon has extremely terrifying infectivity and mutation capabilities. The data I have currently proves that even a minor outbreak could turn a city into a dead city if not effectively contained!"
Somewhat shocked by Alfred's news, Zhou Yi first tried to organize his thoughts, then asked.
"Something this dangerous, I don't believe Umbrella doesn't have adequate protection. As long as they protect it well, the problem you mentioned simply doesn't exist."
"Theoretically, that's the case! But there are always exceptions, aren't there?" Alfred chuckled. "I know that I'm not the only one eyeing this thing. Many of those people aren't just selling information; many of them are harboring the idea of destroying Umbrella. To that end, they've dispatched elite spies. You know, no matter how strong a castle is, it can't withstand internal collapse. Think about it, once the secret is leaked and a crisis erupts, what will happen to Umbrella, which needs to bear the responsibility?"
"If what you say is true, then I'm sure this transaction can barely be called fair. Now I only have one last question?" Standing up, Zhou Yi asked while pressing on the table.
"Go ahead, my friend. I am very happy to complete the final step of this transaction!"
"Where is that place where they research bio-weapons? Don't tell me you don't know. I know you still control part of Umbrella's security forces. In such an important place, Umbrella must have strong security. This kind of thing can't possibly bypass you!"
"You're right. I know the place. But does it matter to you? My friend, you just need to wait and see, and then wait to acquire Umbrella. You don't need to know the answer to this question at all."
"I need this answer!" Zhou Yi was very determined.
In response, Alfred chose to compromise. This completely unimportant question wasn't worth jeopardizing his relationship with Zhou Yi.
"Raccoon City! Friend, deep beneath the city built by Umbrella!"
"Very good! Then, goodbye. Mr. Alfred, if possible. I really don't want to do this kind of deal with you again."
"I hope so too. The Victor Family can't always rely on others to exist." Watching Zhou Yi's decisive figure turn and leave, Alfred muttered to himself. "I promised Alexia that I would revitalize the Ashford Family."
-----------------------
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