11 Chapter 11: Make a Big Move
In the office, Warren shook open a newspaper and settled into a more comfortable position to read.
"The criminals were captured by the web of justice, bringing an end to the shocking robbery case without any casualties. The car driven by the criminals was firmly stuck to the road by a giant spider web, marking another humanitarian victory and showcasing... It is reported that the giant spider web used in the helicopter operation is a new product from Worthington Industries..."
The featured photo was a side aerial shot showing a huge white spider web sticking a truck to the road. The surface of the road was slightly deformed and shattered due to the immense force, but it successfully stopped the vehicle.
"The photographer's position is quite interesting. Did he climb up a lamppost or stand on someone's car roof to take this?"
This kind of news had appeared three times this month already, not only grabbing attention but also serving as publicity for the police department.
Of course, Worthington Industries had also made moves to generate praise and boost their own publicity. They wanted people to write glowing articles, amplifying their marketing efforts while promoting themselves.
Perhaps people were getting tired of seeing Warren's face everywhere recently, but he had also taken care of the side publicity. The key was to keep building his reputation.
To ordinary people, Worthington Industries might simply be recognized as "the company that invented the mutant cure." It was a straightforward reaction.
But on Wall Street, among investors, Worthington's series of actions had an entirely different meaning.
The antidote had just given Worthington Industries, which had been trending downward with a younger leader at the helm, a boost. And now, the Spider-Web Launcher had been introduced, daring to challenge Stark Industries, an old powerhouse in the arms industry. They had even boldly acquired Hammer Industries while engaging in a market battle with Stark. It was a well-known fact.
The acquisition of Hammer Industries and the confrontation with Stark were both led by Jason Fox, Warren's good partner and an old companion of the Worthington family. This was a reassuring point for investors and people in the financial industry. After all, an old hand knew the game well.
As for Warren, he had been meeting with officials from various departments and industry leaders in different fields these past few days. Public appearances, interviews with journalists—it all seemed impressive, but it was the Spider-Web Launcher that had garnered him recognition.
As a result, Worthington's stock had been on a significant rise this month, just like Stark's decline.
"Here's what you asked for." Neveah placed a box in front of Warren.
"Thank you."
After a busy month, Warren decided to reward himself a little before announcing the success of the first phase of the plan. For example, buying 10kg of gold as a small indulgence.
"Everyone is waiting for you in the conference room."
"Good."
After Neveah left, the gold transformed into the system's coins.
134 gold coins. He could draw a rare card and save the rest as the accumulated free coins from these days.
"Let's try our luck with a rare draw."
The second rare card radiated a four-color glow and then settled.
[White Rare]
"...?"
"Are you trying to tell me I have bad luck, System?"
[Steel Enhancement]: Genetic steel enhancement that gives your body metallic attributes without affecting mobility.
"Ability like Iron Man? Seems pretty good. Why is it only white rare, though? Can I still fly after using this ability?"
After a brief thought, Warren decided to use it. This ability had decent defensive capabilities at least. If it affected flight, he could cancel the ability during flight. It was cancellable because he had seen the tall and muscular guy do it at the mutant academy a few days ago.
"Actually, my luck isn't bad."
...
In the conference room, Jason gave a report, detailing the brilliant achievements of the past month.
"But I have to say, Stark has fallen into a suspicious silence. I suspect they have some kind of conspiracy."
Jason was an old hand who had fought alongside Warren and the elder Worthington. He was in the same generation as Obadiah Stane, and their experiences were quite similar. So he understood Obadiah Stane well.
And it was because of this understanding that he felt something was off.
Warren, on the other hand, remained optimistic. "Even if they have a plan, it's too late. Once something is in your mouth, you can't spit it out again. Moreover, we are officially signing the order for the Spider-Web Launcher with the New York Police Department tomorrow. Worthington Industries will reach new heights, and we will firmly establish ourselves in this field."
Tomorrow, they would certainly invite Justin Hammer as well, publicly declaring Worthington's entry into the arms industry, even though insiders were already aware of it.
"A month ago, I said our target was Stark. Does anyone have any objections now?"
Naturally, no one did.
"In that case, let me announce our next phase's target."
The virtual projection on the conference table changed.
"Hair regrowth serum!"
"Hair dye!"
Not to mention others, even Jason had a puzzled expression.
Although he kept himself informed, he had been too preoccupied with Stark lately, and Warren had been guarding the Warren Lab like a treasure. Jason only knew that the lab had recently developed a wristband that Warren always wore, but he didn't know its specific effects.
Could it restore mutant abilities?
And later, Warren had also captured several mutants, including the famous Magneto. Jason didn't know what they were used for after being sent to the Warren Lab, but it definitely wasn't RBQ.
As for Warren's recent meetings with prominent figures in various industries, it seemed like standard procedure to Jason. In their line of work, having a broad network was crucial.
As for the content of the conversations? Forget about it. He didn't have that ability.
"Chairman?"
"You may speak."
"Shouldn't our next target be the Spider-Web Launcher?"
"In theory, yes. But I believe the Spider-Web Launcher's business is predictable and will bring us stable profits once we start taking orders according to the usual procedure. On the other hand, the new business requires market expansion through publicity, and that's where we all need to work together."
The Spider-Web Launcher had undergone testing and trials with the police department, and once the R&D department met the requirements, the orders were settled. The production line was ready.
On the other hand, Worthington Pharmaceuticals' new drugs were a completely new version never used by humanity before, so they needed to carve out a brand new market.
"Do you know the story of the former Mutant Affairs Minister, Henry McCoy?"
Everyone shook their heads.
So, Warren proceeded to tell the story of the former minister, whose failed medication turned him into a blue furball due to side effects.
"...That's the story. I obtained the formula and had Worthington Labs produce the hair regrowth serum and hair dye."
"The hair regrowth serum can make hair grow on any part of your body. Of course, if it's not on your head, it might grow in curvy patterns."
Someone couldn't help but laugh at this subtle innuendo, then quickly coughed to cover it up.
"As for the hair dye, we currently have only the blue color."
Was this the only unfavorable news?
But it wasn't really considered unfavorable, at least not by Worthington's executives sitting in the room. Based on their judgment, if Warren wasn't lying and the serum's effects were indeed that powerful, then the $1 billion investment would undoubtedly bring substantial profits.
Global promotion, leaving no market untouched!
The entire room erupted in applause after Warren finished speaking.
Oh my, a $1 billion investment in a massive publicity campaign? Is the chairman crazy or are we crazy?
But the Worthington executives present, based on their own judgment, were certain that if the serum's effects were truly as strong as claimed, the $1 billion investment would be a tremendous success.
Celebrities, movie stars, football and basketball players, TV show hosts—if they had bald heads, Warren wanted to see a tuft of hair on top, even if it would be shaved off the next day. He wanted everyone to witness the effectiveness of their products!
As for those who already had hair, let them use our hair dye to color a tuft of blue hair. Since the hair dye was relatively inexpensive, they would shift away from using celebrities and instead focus on mass distribution.
Street corners, communities, schools—set up more experiential points, especially in places with a high concentration of young people. They had a stronger ability to embrace novelty. Give them free samples, and then have fashion magazines declare blue as the trend color of the year. Make everyone talk about blue and make every young person want to try blue. Turn the whole world blue!
I've always wanted to do something like this, but in the past, the companies I started could barely survive. I didn't have this kind of advanced technology or such substantial capital to pull off such a grand-scale move.
Pure bliss!
After Warren finished his speech, the conference room fell silent for a few seconds before applause broke out.
Damn, a $1 billion investment in advertising? Is the chairman insane, or are we?
But the Worthington executives present, based on their own judgment, were certain that if Warren wasn't lying and the serum's effects were indeed that powerful, then the $1 billion investment would undoubtedly bring substantial profits.
Global promotion, leaving no market untouched!
