Chapter 126
On the screen appeared a simulation of neural activity so complex it was dizzying to behold.
Diana began, "The core of 'NeuroRevive-1' is an adaptive neural network model. Weyland Group's most advanced 'Aegis' system has an analysis threshold of 40,000 and a feedback delay of fifteen milliseconds."
Diana's gaze swept across the Weyland Group technical experts opposite her, whose expressions were beginning to shift.
"As for your proposed 'technical integration,' forgive my bluntness, but attaching a propeller plane's engine to a supersonic jet isn't integration—it's dead weight."
This unapologetic metaphor left the technical experts across the table looking distinctly uncomfortable.
Carl's smile faded.
"Regarding market potential," Diana switched to a new screen showing the global distribution of neurological injury patients and a market potential analysis report, "this report cites Weyland Group's own internal market assessment data from the fourth quarter of last year."
"According to your own conclusions, the potential market for 'NeuroRevive-1' has a conservative valuation of over 150 billion dollars in the next decade. Mr. Padilla, offering 5 billion for full acquisition—are you assuming no one at the Russell Group can do basic math?"
The Russell Group executives had transitioned from their initial frustration to shock, and now to a sense of vindication.
The deputy director was particularly excited, believing the moment had arrived. He cleared his throat, ready to follow the script and mention at the appropriate moment that "we're not short of investors," delivering what he thought would be the killing blow.
However, Diana didn't give him the opportunity to speak.
"Finally, regarding the sincerity of this partnership."
Diana's gaze finally met Carl's directly.
"Just three days ago, Nova Medical, a company controlled by your firm, was placed under investigation by the Valeria Court for stealing Russell Group trade secrets."
"Two days ago, a Luxemberre company with secret financial ties to your organization was investigated by local financial regulators for suspected commercial bribery—and the bribed party happened to be the Luscaro customs officials who inexplicably detained our shipment."
"One day ago, an 'expert' long employed by your partner media outlets was exposed for academic fraud, specifically tasked with writing articles to smear competitors."
With each statement, the color drained further from Carl's face.
Diana leaned forward slightly, her voice quiet but carrying the weight of a sledgehammer.
"Mr. Padilla, is this the kind of 'sincerity' Weyland Group brings to our negotiation table?"
The Russell Group executives barely dared to breathe. They knew the company had launched a brilliant counteroffensive in Europe, but they had no idea that all the details and evidence chains were in the hands of this young woman, now being revealed in front of everyone.
Carl had expected Diana to leverage the financing trump card he'd learned about through Cruz to bargain, which was why he had deliberately offered such harsh terms. He had planned to counter-attack when she revealed her hand, exposing her bluff.
But what he got wasn't a negotiation—it was a one-sided execution.
He had been played by Cruz, or rather, by Diana through Cruz.
In that moment, the dynamics of the negotiation completely reversed. The initiative had fully returned to the Russell Group.
Carl slowly raised his head to look at Diana again.
What he wanted now was no longer just "NeuroRevive-1."
It was her.
The conference room door closed behind Carl and his team, shutting out their humiliated retreat.
The Russell Group executives' gazes toward Diana had transformed from their initial scrutiny and disdain to complete awe and admiration.
"Ms. York," one vice president stood up, his voice almost stuttering, "that was brilliant!"
"You absolutely crushed that Carl guy's dignity!"
"I never dreamed negotiations could be conducted like this!"
The deputy director slumped in his chair, his shirt soaked with cold sweat.
Looking at the slender figure standing by the projector, showing not the slightest emotional reaction, he felt a chill of fear.
The Helvetara Bank & Trust, the Series B financing—it was all fake.
She had never intended to negotiate terms. She had set a trap, not only playing Carl for a fool but completely draining him as a mole of any value, reducing him to a joke who passed along false information.
Diana didn't even bother to give him a second glance. This feeling of being thoroughly used and then completely ignored felt worse than any direct punishment.
Diana unplugged her computer, deaf to the excitement and flattery filling the room.
"You're celebrating too soon. A cornered dog will bite. Failing in the public opinion and business arenas will only push him toward more direct methods."
"Then what should we—"
"Just do your jobs," Diana said, then turned and left the conference room, leaving everyone exchanging puzzled glances.
Three days later.
A piece of news unexpectedly exploded across the global medical community and capital markets.
The Russell Group website and several top medical journals simultaneously announced: The "NeuroRevive-1" project had achieved a breakthrough, successfully developing an auxiliary agent called "Neuron Enhancer S1."
This enhancer, working in synergy with "NeuroRevive-1's" microcurrent stimulation, could increase neural recovery efficiency by over 300%.
The announcement included a preliminary clinical trial data report.
According to the report, three volunteers who had been in persistent vegetative states showed clear signs of logical thought patterns on their EEGs after just one week of the combined treatment.
This meant the cycle from "awakening" to "recovery" had been dramatically shortened, exponentially increasing both commercial value and medical significance.
Russell Healthcare's stock price skyrocketed, erasing the previous shadow of attacks and hitting the daily limit.
Meanwhile, Weyland Group's subsidiary, Nova Medical, saw its stock plummet as investors voted with their feet, clearly indicating who represented the future of the field.
At Weyland Group's European headquarters, Carl's office was in disarray.
An expensive antique ashtray lay shattered on the floor, cigar ash scattered everywhere.
He stared fixedly at the glaring announcement on his screen, bloodshot eyes visible behind his gold-rimmed glasses.
Humiliation! This was naked humiliation!
Diana had not only stripped him bare at the negotiation table but had delivered a crushing blow in his most prized business domain, using absolute technological superiority.
She hadn't even given him a chance to catch his breath or reposition himself.
"An enhancer..." Once this hit the market, all of Weyland Group's positioning in the neural intervention field would evaporate.
He couldn't afford to lose.
The phone rang—it was Cruz.
"Mr. Padilla, did you see it? That Diana..." Cruz's voice was filled with shock and panic. He hadn't expected Diana to be holding such a trump card either.
"Shut up!" Carl brutally interrupted him. "You useless fool! You can't even distinguish between real and fake intelligence!"
Cruz was stunned by the verbal assault, then grew angry himself. "How was I supposed to know she was that cunning! Now is not the time to assign blame—we need to find a solution..."
"Solution?" Carl laughed coldly. "There is only one solution—get the formula for that enhancer. At any cost."