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 media circle like sharks smelling 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 demeanor 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 name ALZ-112 'The Metis 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 announcement 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.
"Metis... 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 cameraman lifted his equipment, 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 Alzheimer's, or 'senile dementia', assuming it only affects the elderly. But that's a misconception... familial Alzheimer's can strike as early as middle age, and it's far more complex than just memory loss..."
"...I once read a Johns Hopkins study projecting that by 2050, Alzheimer'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 Alzheimer's treatment hit $156 billion. That's equivalent to the GDP of a small-to-medium-sized nation."
Facing the cameras, Sean's sorrowful gaze and the staggering statistics he cited hushed the once-rowdy reporters. Dozens of lenses zoomed in on the young man at the center of it all.
"This disease erodes your mind. First, memory fades. Judgment weakens. Concentration slips. Complex problems become insurmountable. Slowly, it steals your emotions, making social interaction agonizing. Eventually, you forget the most precious moments 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 Metis 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 welcome 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 Metis," Harry chimed in, playing the supportive wingman.
"Mr. Cyphers!" Another reporter intercepted Sean before he could leave, shoving a microphone forward, "Online sources claim Metis has severe side effects, even that some 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 plummet from grace.
"First, Metis passed FDA clinical trials. Before its release, Dr. Connors, Harry Osborn, and I agreed to provide free treatment to 3,000 Alzheimer's patients. To date, all remain in stable condition."
Sean remained unshaken, his calm reply cutting through the tension. Beneath his gentle demeanor, a sharp edge gleamed, "Beyond that, Umbrella will allocate free treatment slots annually for low-income 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. Camera 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 media frenzy and ascended to the second floor, joining Harry and Gwen.
"Have someone 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 assumed 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. Cameras kept flashing. From today onward, 'Umbrella' would be a household name across North America.
Clapping Harry's shoulder, Sean grinned, "The savannah only needs one lion. Worthington's reign is over..."