The following day, Jasper sat in his Bentley that he had greatly missed and arrived at the provincial Research Institute of Sciences.
While Southeast Province had contributed a lot to scientific research, the small run-down building before him revealed a very real issue.
The country was in dire need of economic development, so most of the money would go into construction or investment. Thus, it resulted in a grave decrease in investments in scientific research.
After instructing Julian to wait for him in the car, Jasper entered the run-down building that seemed to have three or four decades’ worth of history.
Following the address Dawson had given him, Jasper arrived outside an office and knocked on the door.
“Come in.” A man’s raspy voice sounded from inside the office.
Jasper walked in and saw a man in his 50s wearing a white lab coat. He was tinkering with a chip behind his office desk.
What was supposed to be a clean lab coat was now dirty, and the man’s hair that looked like a bird’s nest greatly aged his appearance.
The man paid Jasper no attention once he entered. Instead, Jasper found him murmuring something as if he was trying to solve a hard problem—all while fiddling with the chip in his hand.
Jasper did not rush him, opting to wait patiently by the side.
Jasper took in the decor of the office. It was simple and very messy. Equipment could be found all over the place and most of them were rather old. It was evident that they had not been keeping up with the times.
The most eye-catching part of the room were the certificates and awards that covered the better half of the wall. Those were all testaments to the owner of this office’s success and glory.
After ten full minutes, the man looked up and saw Jasper. Only then did he put the chip down, speaking slightly apologetically, “Sorry, I can’t really stop when I’m researching. I totally forgot about you.”
Jasper smiled. “Don’t worry about it. You must be Professor Elbert McGee, I assume?”
Elbert replied, “I am. You must be the businessman the head introduced, Ja… Jas…”
“Jasper,” he introduced himself after seeing how Elbert had forgotten.
Elbert knocked his forehead with his palm and replied, “Ah, yes. Jasper.”
“How can I help you?” Elbert asked straightforwardly.
Jasper took a seat and spoke, “I’ve come to invite you to be my company’s chief technical expert, Professor McGee.”
Without thinking, Elbert shook his head. “No way. I just want to do my research in peace. I don’t want anything to do with businessmen like you.”
As far as Elbert was concerned, businessmen and people like him were completely different. Businessmen were willing to do anything for the sake of profits. His research that he had spent time and effort on would only become money-making tools once it fell in the hands of a businessman.
“I understand your concerns, Professor McGee, but hasn’t it crossed your mind that no matter how capable a researcher you are, what new technology can you come up with in such a working environment?”
Jasper did not seem to be affected by Elbert’s attitude, and he debated back in the calmest tone with a truth that Elbert could not refute.
As expected, Elbert opened his mouth a few times only to close it back again.
He had applied for five million in research funds for several projects, and the amount was already the lowest possible amount needed after going through multiple budget cuts. Still, a year after making the application, all he had now was two million.
It was not that someone was trying to cut costs with his projects, for the institution itself had limited research funds. There was too much demand than there was supply. After splitting the funds among everyone, he only had less than half of what he needed. There was nothing anyone could do about that.
“I can provide you with sufficient research funds and the respect you’re worth. Plus, please take a look at this, Professor McGee.” Jasper then reached out for the patented MP3 player technology he brought with him and handed it to Elbert.
Elbert glanced at Jasper doubtfully but took the piece of research. Upon opening it, Elbert found himself deeply entranced by the treasure in his hands. The papers were filled with technical data and sketches that Jasper did not understand.
Seeing how Elbert’s eyes shone as though he was a parched man finding water, Jasper smiled softly. He knew that he had succeeded this time.
…
While Jasper was negotiating with Elbert in the Research Institute of Sciences, in a villa on the other end of Nauritus City.
“So you’re telling me that the sample will be out in less than a week?” Conrad asked, looking at the sharp and confident in front of him.
Valentine Estrada smiled softly. “Don’t worry, Mr. Monty. I wouldn’t say such a thing to you unless I was absolutely certain.”
Conrad nodded extremely contentedly. “Well done. I spent a lot of money hiring you from overseas, and it seems I’ve made the right step.
“There’s one more thing you need to pay attention to.”
Conrad passed Valentine a document and spoke, “JW Electronics are manufacturing MP3 players as well, but they do not have the license to do so.”
Valentine was stunned. The country lacked awareness when it came to patents and copyrights, so it was very common to see pirated products. In all honesty, normal people did not actually care about such a thing. However, the fact that Conrad, the only person in the country with the license to manufacture the MP3 player, was raising the issue meant that there was more to this than Valentine thought.
“Do you wish for us to pick on them, Mr. Monty?” Valentine asked.
Conrad smiled faintly. “Pirating without patent rights is a very severe problem overseas, right, Valentine?”
Valentine nodded seriously. “It is. The moment such an incident is found overseas, it does not matter how many funds were involved, the company would surely be sued to the point of bankruptcy while the person in charge of the company would also have to face civil responsibilities. That’s why almost no one dares to do such a thing overseas.’
“Our country has a Patent Copyright Protection Act as well.” Conrad thrummed his fingers on the desk. “Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”
Valentine’s eyes shone as he replied, “I understand. I’ll gather as much evidence as I can once I return and sue this JW Electronics. As long as you give me enough support, I can very well beat them in a court case.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll get as much support as you need.” Conrad waved him off. “Go wild!”
