Chapter 678

Mr. Martin opposed Max’s suggestion of copying the lab’s materials.

Even though it was not their possession, it was now in their hands!

Max retorted, “Why the rush, Mr. Martin? I mentioned making a copy, not taking everything. The original data will remain in the lab. Are you afraid that your talented researchers won’t be able to make any progress without relying on the work of others?”

It was a cutting remark that hit its mark.

Unintentionally adding fuel to the fire, Lilly asked, “Uncle Max, do they have any talented individuals?”

They don’t even know the alphabet, I doubt they have any talents at all.

Perhaps Josh is more capable than all of them combined…

Mr. Martin seethed with anger. Did Max think they could not do it without him?

Who did Max think he was? Even if he decided to leave, did he think he could achieve anything on his own by taking away the materials?

The cost of this project was immense, not just in terms of finances but also human resources.

Having enough talented individuals was crucial to sustaining the project’s progress.

They refused to believe that other researchers would follow Max if he decided to leave. If so, he would be a laughingstock to them!

“Fine!” Mr. Martin declared, “It’s just copying the data. We can do that.”

Initially, he had intended to retain Max. The copying of the data was merely a bargaining chip. Of course, they did not want Max to leave.

But their patience was wearing thin.

Moreover, the virtual assistant project was the most profitable endeavor currently.

After considering the advantages and disadvantages, they chose to let go of Max.

Max nodded and responded, “Alright, let’s move on to the third condition.”

Mr. Young chimed in, surprised, “There’s a third condition?”

Max added, “I have already given you three virtual assistants, so it’s fair to have three conditions, right?”

Mr. Martin grew more frustrated, retorting, “So what will you give us later? Just the three virtual assistants? Technology? Information? Design drawings? Will you give us everything?”

Max nodded decisively, saying, “Yes, all the technology related to virtual assistants. Without this foundational support, virtual assistants cannot exist.”

Mr. Martin, despite his initial annoyance, could not help but think about the offer.

Giving them the technology behind virtual assistants sounded promising to them.

Lithography machines may take time to yield results, but virtual humans wouldn’t!

If they developed it rapidly and after five years, they would undoubtedly be able to commercialize virtual assistant technology, reaping immense profits in return.

“Alright, carry on!” Mr. Martin reluctantly conceded, gritting his teeth.

Max pursed his lips and continued, “The laboratory has faced financial hardships in recent years.

Sometimes it takes two or three years to obtain approval for acquiring a piece of equipment. However, the project cannot wait. So, I paid for some equipment in advance.”

“Now that we’ve reached this point in our discussion, you should also understand that I can no longer stay with your group. If I choose to leave, I will take the equipment that I have paid for. Is this an unreasonable condition?”

Mr. Martin and Mr. Young remained silent.

Max had extra funds to purchase equipment?

Considering his financial situation, he should not have been able to afford much… perhaps just some cheaper devices?

Mr. Martin and Mr. Young discussed in low voices for a while before asking, “Are you sure that the equipment you purchased is solely yours?”

Max replied confidently, “I have the invoices to prove it. I won’t take a single screw away if it’s not mine.”

Mr. Martin and Mr. Young hesitated.

As they considered the conditions, they seemed reasonable, but when viewed collectively, it appeared that Max might be setting a trap…

Lilly approached Max and whispered, “Uncle Max, show them our virtual assistants.”

The temptation isn’t enough!

Daddy once said that when profits reach 50 percent, capital begins to take risks; at 100 percent, it becomes bold enough to disregard human laws; and when profits reach 300 percent, it becomes willing to commit any crime.

So, let’s show them our virtual assistants!

Max picked up the black box he had been carrying and placed it on the table.

Inside was a complete set of equipment. When he opened the box and switched on the lights, the office was instantly enveloped in a virtual world!

Mr. Martin and Mr. Young’s pupils contracted, realizing that even without considering the other conditions, this holographic technology alone had enormous potential for development and profit.

Max said, “Since there are no related facilities in the entire house, it’s a simple setup. Take a look.”

Mr. Martin and Mr. Young looked around in awe at the virtual world surrounding them. How could this be considered crude?

Lilly shook her head, pretending she had never seen anything like it before.

With a wave of her hand, three “virtual assistants” immediately appeared before them.

However, when Lilly saw them, her eyes widened, and she was nearly speechless with shock.

Apart from Tinkerbell, who looked normal, the other two were far from ordinary.

The harem spirit was dressed in black silk and a professional suit, with a very short skirt that revealed her long legs…

Her hair was styled in wavy locks.

The bridal ghost, who had always been in a red wedding dress, now wore a pink neon feather coat that exposed her shoulders and chest, with a very short skirt. It was ancient clothing, like a character from some strange online game.

Lilly was taken aback, and she covered her mouth in astonishment.

Max coughed, “Ahem…”

Lilly blinked innocently and replied, “Uncle Max, I didn’t… it has nothing to do with me!”

Max, blindly covering Lilly’s eyes, cautioned, “Don’t look…”

Lilly thought to herself…

Why?

Stacy was like that when we came to Uncle Max’s house…

Why are adults allowed to look at her like this but not children?

Lilly’s mind was filled with numerous questions.

Max stared straight ahead and spoke in a serious tone, saying, “These three virtual assistants are the prototypes I eliminated during the design process. Before I came here, I made upgrades… I changed their settings, and now they’ll recognize you.”

At this point, the harem ghost imitated Stacy’s pleasant expression and said with a sweet smile, “Master, my name is Dahlia, and I’m your 24-hour assistant!”

“Dahlia will provide you with round-the-clock services for food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

Whatever my master asks for, Dahlia will fulfill it.”

The bridal ghost bashfully added, “Master… my name is Scarlet, and I’m your devoted assistant.

Please let me know if you need assistance…”

“There’s still much for me to learn. Master, I must educate myself! I promise to study diligently and keep up with the times.”

Both the harem spirit and the bridal ghost were quite attractive.

And their beauty was natural, not crafted by manipulating data in a database.

They were different from the beauties generated by data.

Mr. Martin and Mr. Young were nearly overcome with excitement.

“These… are these the virtual assistants you researched?”

Mr. Martin was elated.

The virtual assistants were exceptional in every way, but Max’s naming choices seemed too casual.

What kind of names were Dahlia and Scarlet?

They should be named Elsa, Honey, and so on…

Max nodded and said, “Yes, well… Dahlia… her personality didn’t quite match my preferences when I created her… cough.”

As he spoke, Max noticed the harem spirit sitting on Mr. Martin’s desk.

She lifted her hips, pressing them against the desk, with her long legs crossed.

She spoke with bitterness, “Master doesn’t appreciate assistants like me. Dahlia feels unjust and wishes to be assigned to a different master.”

The harem spirit raised her hand, attempting to grab Mr. Martin’s tie, but unfortunately…

She could not hold it.

She complained with a sense of grievance, “It’s so frustrating. I’m a virtual being and yet I can’t capture the master’s heart!”

The bridal ghost was also behaving mischievously and blinked shyly, saying, “Master, I can’t seem to capture his heart too.”

Max thought to himself…

Hey, hey… This is getting too lifelike!

Take it easy, folks!

However, Mr. Martin had already fallen into a state of infatuation, his eyes filled with admiration.

To him, these virtual assistants were captivating, and Max referred to them as rejected creations!

They feel just like humans!

Other than the fact that they could not be touched, what set them apart from real people?

Both men did not consider anything else, and they had no doubts whatsoever.

They saw both the harem spirit and the bridal ghosts as virtual assistants…