OBrien came to the internal bar and sat next to Chris. "I am very saddened about what happened to Foster. You need to rest now and stabilize your emotions. When we enter this line of work, it is destined that this day will come."
Chris picked up his glass and drank deeply. "I know, I just can't forgive Umbrella. They escaped, and I haven't settled the score with them yet."
"I know. Jill might be able to help us. As long as she talks to Dr. Eddie, with Dr. Eddie's financial resources, he can definitely find Umbrella's hiding place," OBrien said.
"I'll talk to Eddie myself. There's no need to bother Jill," Chris said, burping from the alcohol.
Suddenly, the bar quieted down as everyone looked at the TV screen. It showed a speech being given by Western Federation Security Advisor Simmons regarding previously released news. He condemned Eddie for participating in the T-Virus experimental project and urged him to surrender immediately.
Chris was furious. "Nonsense! Eddie is not that kind of person at all."
"How do you know?" OBrien asked suspiciously. He didn't trust Eddie; the man was a capitalist who would do anything for money. No matter how much charity he did, OBrien wouldn't believe him without concrete evidence.
"My sister Claire is his wife! If he dared to do something like that, my sister would shoot him dead!" Chris roared.
"What?" OBrien's expression was strange. Chris was truly miserable: his secret crush was stolen by Eddie, and his sister married his rival. That was awkward.
This kind of news didn't affect Eddie. For the past two years, there had always been news reporting bad things about him. He clarified them every time, which also gave his wife Alyssa something to do.
Moreover, his company wasn't publicly listed, so there was no need to worry about the stock price plummeting.
As for reputation, no matter what was said, most people wouldn't believe it.
Photos? Who knew if the photos were synthesized?
Witnesses? Who knew if they were paid to be hired to frame Eddie?
Alyssa had held a press conference long ago, explaining that Eddie's pharmaceutical research and development activities had significantly harmed the interests of some competitors and related capitalists. In a capitalist nation, any means were used. Being slandered wasn't new; heavy is the head that wears the crown!
What good was it if the capitalists believed it? It only mattered that the citizens taking his anti-cancer drugs didn't believe it. With tangible benefits in hand, why would they believe the rumors?
The public opinion continued to ferment in the back-and-forth struggle. Half a month passed, and things remained the same. The impact on Eddie's industries was minimal; those that should make money still made money.
Drinking fine wine, embracing beauties, listening to music—the life of a capitalist continued.
In the Mediterranean office, Claire held the phone, sounding annoyed. "Chris, I'm telling you, my husband isn't that kind of person. If he participated in human experiments, I'd be the first one to go after him. Stop beating around the bush and speaking ill of my husband, or I'll hit you."
Chris was depressed. His sister had changed; she was taking her husband's side. "No, I just wanted Eddie to help investigate where the people who evacuated from the Caucasus Branch went last time. I want revenge on them."
Claire's tone softened slightly. "He's already investigating. If there are any issues, he'll tell you. The one who framed him last time was Sergei, the person in charge of Umbrella. If you want revenge, you'll have to wait in line."
Hearing this, Chris relaxed. "Alright, tell him this: in three days, we are going to offer condolences to the families of our deceased colleagues. It's the only thing we can do."
"Got it. Also, let me tell you some good news. Last time, the Western Federation directly detonated a city in Africa, causing about 300,000 people to become zombies. It is suspected to be a T-Virus spread accident. This incident has caused the Federal Bio-Terrorism Commission to face scrutiny. If things work out, the BSAA might be taken over by the United Nations. With official status, your future operations will be much smoother," Claire laughed.
"That's good news! 300,000 dead? Why didn't I know about this?" Chris was suspicious.
"Because the Western Federation suppressed it, but the news still leaked out. The local armed forces also accepted the Western Federation's terms and kept quiet. The implication of this incident is that the Countermeasure Committee only serves the Federation and operates as a dictatorship, which is very detrimental to combating bio-terrorism." Claire's information channels were very well-informed.
"Okay, I understand. Remember to tell Eddie; he is also a member of the S.T.A.R.S.." Chris hung up the phone after speaking. He was going to find Kaplan to confirm the information.
Meanwhile, in a conference room at The Pentagon, General Morgan was furious. The previous public discussion focused on whether Eddie participated in Umbrella's cruel human experiments, but the narrative suddenly shifted to him unilaterally using his authority to destroy a city of 300,000 people.
"Someone must be leaking secrets! This is very detrimental to the Federation!" General Morgan raged.
"It's detrimental to your authority, isn't it? Why didn't you notify the Senate before blowing up a city?" a Senator demanded.
"I submitted the report afterward. The situation was urgent at the time. A large number of bio-weapons had surged out of the city, and I had to ensure the virus didn't spread," General Morgan scoffed. As for the truth? Did that matter?
Chapter 471: Aunt Beatrice's Difficulties
Barry also appeared, the old father-in-law who had been responsible for weapon modification work, providing high-quality weapons to BSAA members.
Moira had also suggested Barry's job, telling him to minimize fighting because he was getting old, and she worried that when she returned with their daughter, Barry wouldn't be there.
Three comrades had died in action. Even Enrico, the Squad Leader working at the FBC, came over to mourn his deceased friends and deliver supplies to their families.
Joseph and Foster were bachelors; they had no wives or children. Joseph only had an elderly father to look after, who was sent to a nursing home, with the BSAA covering the costs.
Foster's father had passed away. He only had a fifty-year-old mother who looked quite young, apparently a woman who knew how to live.
Just as he arrived at the apartment Foster had left for his mother, Chris received a call. After nodding, his expression became serious. "Now? Uh, okay, I understand."
After hanging up the phone, Chris said to Eddie, "We are applying to be incorporated into the United Nations structure, and we will be under the jurisdiction of the UN from now on. Now is the time to test our strength. I need to go back, and Barry, you need to come back too."
Barry nodded. "I understand." He then patted Eddie's shoulder. "Kid, don't bully Moira. My daughter won't be bullied."
"Don't worry, I'm not a wife-beater," Eddie chuckled.
Enrico and Dury also received calls instructing them to take on a nearby mission. "Sorry, Eddie, we have to leave too. We have a temporary mission."
Eddie waved his hand. "Go on, go on. I know you're all busy. I'll be the good guy and finish things up for you."
In less than five minutes, only Eddie was left. Only Jessica and Lisa remained to keep him company, preventing him from being utterly alone.
"Hello, my name is Beatrice. Thank you for the things you brought. I really appreciate it. Please come in and sit down," the middle-aged beautiful woman invited with a kind smile.
"Alright. If you have any difficulties in the future, please tell us. If I can help, I absolutely won't shy away," Eddie nodded.
He was still willing to help out a colleague he had worked with in Raccoon City with small matters. Considering how beautiful and charming the mother was, he definitely had to help.
After they chatted for a while, Beatrice got up to go to the kitchen. "You must stay for lunch so I can thank you."
"Alright, I eat a lot. Regarding Foster, please don't worry. He was controlled, which is why he attacked his own people." Eddie recounted Foster's experience in the Caucasus region.
Beatrice suddenly knelt down and cried. "I'm sorry, I didn't know those people turned him into a monster. I am so terribly sorry."
Eddie helped her up. "It's alright. Everything will get better. The dead are gone, but the living still need to continue their lives. By the way, may I ask you a question? Lisa, why don't you cook? I want to eat your grilled steak."
Beatrice nodded, watching the gorgeous woman skillfully preparing lunch. "Of course. I'm so sorry, I actually made the guest cook."
Eddie shook his head. "It's fine, we prioritize efficiency. I looked at the file, and you raised Foster alone starting twenty years ago. Why didn't you ever consider remarrying?"
Beatrice was slightly surprised; this was a personal question. After hesitating, she replied, "Because I was afraid Foster wouldn't have a good life, I never planned to. Now, I don't have the inclination anymore. I'm old."
"Haha, you're not old at all. Do you drink?" Eddie pulled out a bottle of wine.
"I usually don't drink, but if I have friends around, I'll have a couple of glasses," Aunt Beatrice smiled.
After eating and drinking their fill, the two of them finished both bottles of red wine. Jessica and Lisa sat on the sofa reading the newspaper, while Eddie and Aunt Beatrice chatted.
"Foster was my pride. He always did things very well. Eddie, promise me one thing: live well. Under the condition that you stay alive, send those criminals from Umbrella to jail." Aunt Beatrice's speech was slightly slurred; she was clearly drunk.
"No problem. If I get the chance, I'll take care of them one by one. Have you considered having another child? With a child, you wouldn't be so lonely," Eddie chuckled.
The still charming Aunt Beatrice looked at Eddie with surprise, then shook her head, saying something quite unexpected. "It's dangerous to have a child at my age."