CHAPTER 271: BENDING THE ARC OF BIOLOGY

As the room fell into a tense silence, Old Henry cleared his throat, breaking the stillness with a low cough.

He gestured toward the hovering interface, his demeanor shifting from warmth to a weighty seriousness. "Now," he said gruffly, "let’s talk about the Alzheimer cure."

The researchers straightened in their seats; they all knew what was coming next.

For some in this room, this topic cut deeper than any technical debate could reach.

"I’ve reviewed the data since our last meeting," Henry continued, summoning a new cluster of holograms with a wave of his hand.

"Neuroregenerative protein sequences... Amyloid plaque disruption rates... Synaptic restoration benchmarks."

From the back of the room, a tall man with narrow shoulders spoke up. His ID badge read: Dr. Lyle Ascroft.

His voice was low but crackled with conviction. "I also ran a simulation a moment ago," he said.

Arthur turned slightly to acknowledge him; Lyle rarely spoke up,his world revolved around lab machines and endless hours of data modeling rather than boardroom banter.

"Go on, Lyle," Henry encouraged.

Lyle stepped forward, looking around forty but showing signs of stress,dark hair streaked with gray and hands that trembled not from fear but from emotion.

"My mother died from Alzheimer’s," he began quietly. "So did my grandfather. My aunt lives in a memory care facility where every visit ends in heartbreak as she forgets who I am before I leave... and my younger brother was diagnosed last spring at just thirty-six."

A heavy hush enveloped the room.

"For fifteen years," Lyle continued, his voice taut with passion,

"I’ve dedicated my life to understanding neurodegenerative disorders, building models, testing compounds... I’ve failed more times than I can count."

He paused for breath before adding softly, "I even lost my marriage over this obsession."

He moved closer to the central projection and pointed at the floating code displayed above them.

"But this sequence here? It doesn’t just treat symptoms,it restores function: memory recall, motor control... emotional stability."

His voice cracked slightly as he added, "If this works... I might be able to talk to my brother again,not just watch him fade away."

Arthur met his gaze steadily. "You will, Dr. Ascroft."

Lyle nodded slowly and stepped back; there were glimmers of hope shining in his eyes.

Old Henry shifted uncomfortably yet clearly moved by Lyle’s words and cleared his throat once more.

"We’ll begin preliminary trials in a secure environment," he announced firmly. "Subject selection will be based on medical urgency,voluntary sign-ups only."

The team murmured their agreement.

"Walk with me," Arthur said to Henry as they exited the conference room through a softly lit corridor bathed in blue light,the automated panels closing silently behind them like curtains after an intense performance.

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Thirty minutes later,the doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a scene charged with unspoken tension.

Arthur stepped back into the room, his demeanor as steady as ever. Old Henry trailed behind him, moving slowly and looking somewhat dazed.

His eyes sparkled with an unfamiliar mix of emotions,not fear, but a deep understanding that seemed to stretch beyond his limits.

Whatever had transpired between them had left an indelible mark.

Silence enveloped the room as Henry returned to his seat, absently rubbing his chin.

The researchers exchanged glances, curiosity flickering in their eyes, but none dared to break the silence.

Arthur, unfazed by the atmosphere, turned to Garrick Thorne,the President of Osborn Pharmaceutical and Biotech Group. "Mr. Thorne," he said firmly, "with me."

Without hesitation, Garrick and several top executives rose from their seats and followed Arthur down a corridor that led to the executive boardroom.

This space was a stark contrast to the pristine white lab interiors; it exuded modern sophistication with its dark oak table, sleek black glass panels, and ambient lighting designed for strategic focus.

Taking his place at the head of the table, Arthur set down his wine glass with purpose. "We’re stepping onto the global stage," he began passionately.

"This is a moment that demands rapid action. Garrick, your division is now critical,it’s my top priority."

Garrick nodded resolutely. "Understood, sir."

Arthur leaned forward slightly, hands flat on the table as if anchoring himself in this pivotal moment.

"You will collaborate closely with Osborn Hospital Group to establish treatment centers dedicated exclusively to cancer and Alzheimer’s recovery. Retrofit existing facilities or build new ones if necessary."

"Yes, sir," Garrick replied without missing a beat.

"Next," Arthur continued with intensity in his voice, "we’re launching 500 flagship pharmaceutical stores across all major metropolitan areas within three months! Each store must be fully automated,clean-room compliant,with advanced patient tracking systems and encrypted supply channels."

"Five hundred?" Garrick echoed incredulously.

Arthur met his gaze unwaveringly. "That’s just our starting point."

No one dared question him further.

"Third," he declared decisively, "we need to scale up manufacturing,expand all production lines by one thousand percent! I don’t want delays or bottlenecks; if you need to recruit experts from elsewhere or invest in AI-run facilities,do it! And if your budget hits a wall? Knock it down!"

One executive hesitated before speaking up tentatively: "Sir... that will cost..."

"More than we’ve ever spent?" Arthur interjected sharply but calmly. "Good! That means we’re doing something worthwhile."

A heavy silence fell over the room again as Garrick scribbled notes rapidly on his tablet; though tense, he remained respectful.

"You have full authority to cut through the corporate red tape," Arthur declared, his voice steady and commanding.

"If any local politician gives you trouble, just send them my way."

Arthur pushed back his chair and stood tall. "We’re not just chasing profit margins anymore; we’re on a mission to rewrite human history."

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Outside, the late afternoon sun cast a stunning palette of oranges and golds across the sky.

The air was fresh, laced with salt and an electric energy that hinted at change.

As Arthur and Old Henry strolled side by side through the bustling medical district courtyard, young interns hurried past them, offering quick bows of respect.

Ahead loomed the helipad, sleek and ready for action.

The matte-black helicopter awaited them like a silent sentinel.

Henry had been quiet since their private conversation, but as they approached the aircraft, he finally broke the silence.

"You weren’t bluffing in there, were you?" he asked softly.

Arthur shot him a sidelong glance. "Not even for a second."

Henry exhaled slowly, weighing his emotions. "I can’t tell if I’m terrified... or proud."

Arthur flashed him a rare smile. "Why not both?"

They climbed into the cabin as the doors hissed shut behind them, sealing off the world outside.

The rotors roared to life with an exhilarating hum.

As the helicopter lifted off from the landing pad, Osborn Pharmaceutical and Biotech Group shrank beneath them,a gleaming tower bathed in sunlight that symbolized a new future already unfolding before their eyes.

Arthur settled back into his seat, eyes fixed on the horizon ahead,an expanse filled with possibilities waiting to be seized.