It was a bright, sunny day on the lawn in front of Umbrella Labs, packed with swarming reporters and photographers...
A gene therapy drug capable of curing degenerative brain diseases was enough to make the dia circle like sharks slling blood, all scrambling for the latest scoop.
Sean stood there in a perfectly tailored custom suit, exuding youthful vigor, his smile as radiant as the sun. Unlike Tony Stark's arrogant deanor or the reclusive tendencies of other scientists, this young genius was warm, humble, and effortlessly charismatic... making everyone around him feel at ease.
"Mr. Cyphers, why did you na ALZ-112 'The tis Serum'?" A bespectacled reporter strained to thrust his microphone toward Sean, who was already surrounded by a crowd of eager journalists.
This young prodigy who had nearly replaced Stark as New York's headline darling was now a star in his own right.
Since yesterday's joint announcent by Umbrella and Oscorp about the drug's release, every major news outlet had their eyes locked on Sean, waiting to see what groundbreaking surprise he would deliver next.
"tis... the primordial goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology. Hesiod described her as the wisest and most just strategist among all gods and mortals." Sean paused, then offered a gentle smile, "I hope ALZ-112 can reclaim the intellect and wisdom that illness has stolen from humanity."
"Mr. Cyphers, hello! What inspired you to develop a gene therapy for degenerative brain diseases?" A blonde reporter, leveraging her advantage, squeezed through the crowd. Behind her, a towering caraman lifted his equipnt, lens fixed on the beaming young man.
Sean stopped in his tracks, speaking confidently under the flashing lights, "Many refer to degenerative brain diseases as Alzheir's, or 'senile dentia', assuming it only affects the elderly. But that's a misconception... familial Alzheir's can strike as early as middle age, and it's far more complex than just mory loss..."
"...I once read a Johns Hopkins study projecting that by 2050, Alzheir's cases will reach 107 million worldwide. That's not a small number. Brain degeneration has always been notoriously difficult to treat. From diagnosis to complete cognitive decline, most patients only have seven years. And it's one of the 'most expensive diseases' in the world..."
"...In 2003 alone, global spending on Alzheir's treatnt hit $156 billion. That's equivalent to the GDP of a small-to-dium-sized nation."
Facing the caras, Sean's sorrowful gaze and the staggering statistics he cited hushed the once-rowdy reporters. Dozens of lenses zood in on the young man at the center of it all.
"This disease erodes your mind. First, mory fades. Judgnt weakens. Concentration slips. Complex problems beco insurmountable. Slowly, it steals your emotions, making social interaction agonizing. Eventually, you forget the most precious monts of your life... the faces of friends and family. Language vanishes. Vision dims. And in the end, you slip into darkness..."
"...That's why I created the tis Serum. To save those suffering. Because I believe everyone deserves to grow old surrounded by loved ones... not lying in bed, lost, unable to recognize the people who care for them most."
His words, brimming with raw emotion, turned the lively atmosphere somber. Up on the second-floor balcony, Harry and Gwen watched the scene unfold below.
"Truly admirable," Gwen murmured, clutching a folder to her chest, her eyes glistening.
The police chief's daughter was visibly moved. She'd never imagined the sunny young man had such profound empathy beneath his cheerful exterior.
Harry, however, barely suppressed an eye-roll. If his friend ever quit science, Hollywood would welco him with open arms. With those looks and acting skills, he'd outshine even the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio...
"Ahem. Yeah, maybe losing his parents made him want to create tis," Harry chid in, playing the supportive wingman.
"Mr. Cyphers!" Another reporter intercepted Sean before he could leave, shoving a microphone forward, "Online sources claim tis has severe side effects, even that so clinical trial patients experienced adverse reactions. How do you respond?"
His voice was deliberately loud, his words laced with faux righteousness. The smirk tugging at his lips betrayed his real agenda... many were eager to watch New York's golden boy plumt from grace.
"First, tis passed FDA clinical trials. Before its release, Dr. Connors, Harry Osborn, and I agreed to provide free treatnt to 3,000 Alzheir's patients. To date, all remain in stable condition."
Sean remained unshaken, his calm reply cutting through the tension. Beneath his gentle deanor, a sharp edge glead, "Beyond that, Umbrella will allocate free treatnt slots annually for low-inco patients, because everyone deserves a chance to heal..."
"...Should any patient experience discomfort, Umbrella guarantees full support. Their safety and rights are our priority."
Thunderous applause erupted. Cara flashes lit up like fireworks. The reporter tried to press further, but the swarm of journalists shoved him aside.
With security clearing a path, Sean broke free from the dia frenzy and ascended to the second floor, joining Harry and Gwen.
"Have soone tail that reporter," he said softly, his smile never wavering, though his voice carried an icy chill.
"Worthington's plant?" Harry signaled a bodyguard, then asked, "Pay him off?"
Inexperienced in corporate warfare, the Oscorp heir assud this could be resolved with money.
"Do nothing. Just call the IRS. Audit his finances. I doubt he's a model taxpayer." Sean stopped Harry's reckless idea... harming the man would only backfire.
Down below, the crowd surged. Caras kept flashing. From today onward, 'Umbrella' would be a household na across North Arica.
Clapping Harry's shoulder, Sean grinned, "The savannah only needs one lion. Worthington's reign is over..."
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