Chapter 310: Friends and Enemies

Buckingham Palace.

The President of the United States, William, adjusted his collar and turned to face a portrait of the Virgin Mary.

He looked at the painting for a while and then whispered a few prayers.

William was a Southern Baptist, well-versed in the Bible and various Christian theological arguments. However, he wasn't a devout believer in the past, and he knew it. His understanding of religion ultimately served as a tool for his political career.

But all this changed over half a month ago.

At that time, he was praying with his mother at her request when he suddenly witnessed a miracle.

The radiance, the hymns, and the call, he clearly felt that power, as if his spirit was elevated to another realm, allowing him to see truths not of this world.

The solemn and sacred feeling he had in church as a child was like a play of mud figurines compared to the real miracle that appeared to him.

It was a miracle shown only to him, so he knew he indeed had a mission to fulfill, far more important than worldly status, power, or mortal pleasures.

That is, to bring glory to his God.

"Mr. President," a servant opened the door, "Prime Minister John is waiting for you outside."

"Alright," William buttoned up his suit, "Let's not keep our friend waiting. There's a lot to discuss today."

...

The day after the meeting between the heads of the two countries, Boris received a message from Downing Street No. 10, requesting the presence of Murphy Annon at a hearing.

That afternoon, Boris arrived at Westminster Palace, where the parliament is located.

In a room, the chair table opposite him was occupied by more than a dozen serious men in suits, including a few in military uniforms.

Boris sat opposite them.

"Mr. Murphy, we know your time is valuable, and we appreciate you taking the time to attend this hearing. As for the purpose of this hearing, I believe the previous contacts have already informed you."

"The Prime Minister and the Parliament are very concerned about the impact of Umbrella Corporation's products on public health and national security. Therefore, we have some questions to ask you, and we hope you can answer truthfully."

Boris glanced behind him, where various cameras were set up in the press area, clearly indicating that this hearing was open to the public.

His responses at the hearing could potentially affect the entire reputation of Umbrella Corporation, so he must be very cautious.

After a series of oaths, the hearing committee started with some basic questions, such as the safety testing of the antidotes, the approval process for various antidote products, etc.

But soon, things began to take a turn for the worse.

"Regarding the 'cancer cure' your company launched not long ago, we have received complaints that your company developed this miracle cancer drug after less than a year of research and experiments, and moreover, its principle is based on the cell-killing effect of a certain mutated virus group?"

Boris immediately became alert, "Although it sounds like a virus, I must emphasize that this cancer cure has undergone just as many tests on normal cells as it has on cancer cells, showing it to be harmless."

The other party was non-committal, "Our virology experts have looked at your company's research report, and they find it hard to believe that your company used a screening method to cultivate the virus group. The speed of virus mutation in a year's time is not enough to support the effect of today's cancer cure... Did Umbrella lie about the mechanism of the drug?"

"No, we used a new screening method, as well as large-scale, simultaneous screening of countless samples, which is why we were able to achieve today's results. But the specific steps and screening methods used are proprietary to the company, and I cannot disclose them," Boris said.

"Then do we have reason to suspect that your company selected a virus with an extremely fast mutation rate? If so, has your company considered the possibility of the virus mutating again and causing harm to humans?"

"I need to emphasize again that regarding the screening steps and methods, it involves the core technological secrets of the company, and I cannot disclose them. However, we have conducted extensive testing to ensure the safety of the cancer cure, and our several public reports have shown that the drug's effectiveness and safety in double-blind tests far exceed industry standards."

"But this is a virus, a living thing, not the same as ordinary drugs," one of the committee members said.

"Respected members, all drugs may have side effects or toxic effects. As a prescription medication, the cancer cure is intended for the treatment of specific diseases, and the decision between its risks and the chosen treatment plan will ultimately be made by the attending physician. We are only providing a new treatment option that meets safety standards."

The committee members looked at each other, "Let's talk about the anti-aging drug."

"In March of this year, your company launched an anti-aging drug that is currently undergoing clinical trials. Umbrella claims it will be sold worldwide and can effectively improve the state of human aging. Is this true?"

"Yes, the anti-aging drug will be Umbrella's most important product this year," Boris said. "After testing, the drug can work on the vast majority of the population, significantly improving various aging indicators by 10%-19%."

"Is the main component of the anti-aging drug a type of adenovirus?" suddenly, a hearing committee member asked.

Boris frowned, "This involves product confidential information, I cannot answer."

"You don't have to answer, a staff member from the R&D department has already confirmed this."

Boris was taken aback, "I object! Members, all employees related to the anti-aging drug have signed a confidentiality agreement. If someone has breached the agreement and disclosed information to the outside world, they will face hefty fines and ongoing pursuit by Umbrella Corporation. At the same time, requesting Umbrella employees to provide internal information is highly unethical!"

"Unless your confidentiality agreement itself violates the law," a female member of the committee spoke up. "I've looked at your confidentiality agreements; they're too harsh and suspected of violating the Labor Act. Some clauses clearly restrict personal and freedom of speech and do not fully respect workers' rights."

"I object!" Boris said. "The committee's statement is biased and misleading!"

"This is not a court, Mr. Boris," a male official said.

"But we are in front of cameras! And I believe that every word of this hearing will be spread to the outside world. If the committee mixes such biased and misleading statements during the hearing, it will cause tremendous damage to Umbrella! I request the committee to be careful with their words."

"Granted," the silver-haired woman in the center of the committee nodded.

"I need to explain," Boris said. "Umbrella Corporation is a high-tech company. Behind every epoch-making product, there lies the hard work and sweat of countless R&D personnel, as well as massive financial investments."

"To protect our research achievements, we must strictly enforce confidentiality agreements. Any breach of confidentiality would result in losses of at least millions of pounds for Umbrella."

"We must ensure our achievements are not stolen by competitors," Boris said.

"But you sold the technology to the Soviet Union," a man with the rank of brigadier general said. "In Umbrella's eyes, who are your allies, and who are your enemies?"

"Or, to put it another way, when you talk about competitors, are you referring to allies like the United States, or enemies like the Soviet Union?"

Boris remained composed, despite the tension in the room. "Umbrella Corporation does not align with any nation's political agenda. Our mission is to advance human health and well-being through scientific innovation. When we talk about competitors, we refer to other entities within the pharmaceutical and biotechnological sectors, regardless of their national affiliations."

"As for our interactions with the Soviet Union, they were purely in the spirit of scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange. We believe in the power of science to transcend political and geographical boundaries for the greater good of humanity."

The committee members exchanged skeptical looks.

"But doesn't selling cutting-edge technology to a nation with questionable human rights practices and a history of military aggression compromise that mission?" another member pressed, not satisfied with Boris's diplomatic response.

Boris replied firmly, "Our agreements always include strict clauses that dictate the ethical use of our technologies. We ensure that our partners agree to use these advancements for medical and humanitarian purposes only. Unfortunately, we cannot control every aspect of how these technologies are used once they leave our hands, but we do our best to guide and influence positive outcomes."

The hearing continued with more questions, some veering into the specifics of Umbrella Corporation's operations and its future plans. Boris navigated these inquiries with a blend of openness and caution, always mindful of the delicate balance between transparency and the protection of proprietary information.

As the hearing drew to a close, it was clear that the committee's concerns were not fully allayed, but Boris had managed to defend Umbrella Corporation's reputation without making any damning concessions.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Murphy," the chairwoman concluded, signaling the end of the session. "This committee will continue to review the information provided and may request further clarification in the future. We understand the importance of your company's work and only wish to ensure that it aligns with national and global standards of safety and ethics."

Boris stood, nodding respectfully to the committee. "Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important issues. Umbrella Corporation remains committed to advancing science and health in a responsible and ethical manner. We are always open to dialogue and cooperation with oversight bodies and the public to achieve these goals."

As Boris exited the room, the flash of cameras and murmur of the press awaited him. This hearing, while challenging, was just another step in the complex dance between innovation, public perception, and regulatory scrutiny—a dance Umbrella Corporation knew all too well.

Outside, the world continued its hustle and bustle, oblivious to the intricate discussions that had just taken place within the walls of Westminster Palace. But for Boris and Umbrella Corporation, the stakes of these discussions were never higher, as they navigated the fine line between being seen as pioneers of medicine and being accused of ethical transgressions in their quest to push the boundaries of science.

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