Chapter 30-31

Chapter 30: New Drug Launch

Cavros Club.

Just by the name, it's hard to pin down the nature of this club. Club culture in the UK and the US is incredibly developed, even more so than the nightlife culture; virtually anything you can think of has a club for it.

From the talked-about strip clubs to the Mensa club that accepts only individuals with high IQs, from the common rich folks' clubs and golf clubs to Yale University's secretive "Skull and Bones," considered the pinnacle for the wealthy and powerful—a phrase like "a dime a dozen" would be an understatement.

There are, believe it or not, over 1000 erotic clubs in the US alone! Most attendees are middle-class couples with stable jobs and incomes. The most notorious case was a club that rented out a 17-story hotel on Miami Beach, Florida, organizing a partner-swapping party for over 4000 members, not to mention those revolting pedophile clubs and the like.

However, Cavros Club is relatively more mainstream. This seemingly ordinary club mainly provides private spaces and services to the wealthy and influential of Los Angeles and beyond California. While some of its offerings might be borderline, it generally operates within the confines of the law.

Privacy is of utmost importance here, with only members allowed entry. Today, Bruce is playing golf at this club located on the outskirts of Los Angeles, or more precisely, using golf as a pretext for networking.

"Birdie!"

A burly middle-aged man in a polo T-shirt and a black and white golf cap exclaimed with a sigh, casually flicking his cigarette ash into the caddie's ashtray, a beaming smile on his face as he approached Bruce.

Louis Eldridge, the current Chair of the California Democratic Party, is a deeply entrenched figure with significant clout within the party. Bruce had met him through the Deputy Chair of the California Democratic Party.

Even though Louis could afford to be at Cavros Club, it would definitely pinch his wallet. When he mentioned the club casually in conversation, Bruce took the hint and soon invited him to play golf, with Bruce footing the bill, of course. This was, in fact, their third such outing.

Politicians like Louis Eldridge are all too familiar with this game of quid pro quo. He trusted his judgment of people, and Bruce, despite his youth, seemed seasoned, skilled, and willing to invest in relationships—this was the kind of exchange that would last.

As for doubts and attacks from political rivals, at least within the confines of Cavros, that wasn't a concern, which is what made this club so renowned. Its discretion was indisputable, or it wouldn't be frequented by so many big shots.

"Bruce, I must say, you're a genius. I can't believe you've reached this level in golf in just a few months," Louis laughed heartily, nonchalantly flicking the ash off his large cigar. The young caddie was always close at hand, not daring to miss a beat. "I envy you young people, always so full of energy. I was a star in the football team once, even won a trophy in the intercollegiate league. But I'm not as fit as I used to be."

Louis was only in his forties, in the prime of his life, and with regular exercise, he was actually in pretty good shape. His comment was merely a way to relate to Bruce, small talk.

Bruce, of course, understood this but played along happily, "Louis, I think you're in fantastic shape. Many young folks can't hold a candle to you."

Sports like golf were something he mastered on his first try, thanks to his precise control over every part of his body and every muscle fiber. He could produce any effect he wanted. His modest performance was intentional, but of course, he wouldn't share that.

Perhaps it's because of an overreliance on technology that humans don't fully tap into their physical potential, making them so keen on sports that seem utterly unchallenging to Bruce.

"No, no, you don't understand, really. I can feel my body's functions declining, not as robust as before," Louis Eldridge seemed to touch on his own concerns, a hint of melancholy in his expression. But he quickly laughed it off. "Of course, you wouldn't understand what I'm going through."

I never will.

Bruce smiled inwardly, maintaining a composed exterior. He casually, yet pointedly said, "Actually, you know my company, Solar Corona, is primarily focused on biotechnology. We've made significant breakthroughs in healthcare, anti-aging, and enhancing bodily functions, though we haven't gone public with it yet. Of course, if you're interested, Louis, that won't be an issue. I'll have them provide you with our services."

"Really? Oh no, I mean, how effective is it? There aren't any side effects, are there?" Louis Eldridge was visibly excited, almost rudely so, because what Bruce implied was obviously far beyond ordinary health products, sparking his curiosity. But skepticism was inevitable for such extraordinary claims.

"Of course, oh no, Louis, you shouldn't doubt me. Remember the little pill I invented?" Bruce seemed slightly offended, then shared a knowing look.

Louis instantly caught on. With Pfizer's backing, the FDA astonishingly fast-tracked the approval for the new anti-erectile dysfunction drug Vilda. It had been on the market for over twenty days, causing a sensation!

Not only did Pfizer's existing products like "Viagra" quickly disappear from shelves, but Vilda also conquered over seventy percent of the U.S. market share for anti-erectile dysfunction drugs. This was despite the preparedness of its competitors. The impact was so massive that it left the rest of the pharmaceutical industry in turmoil, regretting not securing the patent rights for Vilda at any cost.

Chapter 31: The Vilda Craze

Random sampling surveys of the first batch of users, coupled with interviews from various media, painted a clear picture: Vilda was like a nuclear bomb dropped into the market, stirring the once calm waters into a tempestuous sea. Almost every user was unanimous in their description of the new drug, resorting to words like "amazing" and "incredible" to express their astonishment after taking it.

Many who previously were shy and hesitant to openly discuss using anti-erectile dysfunction medication were now proudly boasting about their rejuvenated prowess and conquests after taking the drug. It was as if they were venting years of pent-up frustration, with some even forming Vilda enthusiast clubs to share their experiences, insights, and creative uses of the drug…

In their enthusiastic endorsements, Vilda was touted not only for its negligible side effects but also for its ability to improve mental clarity and relieve fatigue. The drug was so appealing that even men without any issues were itching to try it, turning them into de facto brand ambassadors. Meanwhile, TV pundits solemnly advised caution, reminding viewers that Vilda, being a new drug, had not undergone long-term efficacy tests, and thus should be consumed moderately to avoid any mishaps. However, their vague and hesitant warnings only served to further pique public interest, leading to more eager customers waving their cash, unable to resist the allure of this miraculous pill.

The extent of Pfizer's involvement in fuelling this hype and their PR efforts remains unknown, but the outcome was clear—the promotion catapulted the sales of the new drug into a frenzy, selling out the first batch of Vilda in just two weeks.

Pfizer's pharmaceutical plants had to work around the clock to avoid a shortage upon launch. They even had to make the tough decision to delay Vilda's international release, which immediately sparked discontent among eager overseas customers. It's said that a deluge of protest letters has flooded Pfizer's offices around the globe, with a steady stream still coming in.

No doubt, Pfizer's top brass, led by CEO Ian Reid, were experiencing a mix of pain and pleasure—mostly pleasure. The slight pain probably stemmed from having to share a portion of the profits with Bruce. Even though it was a small fraction, it still made them wince. What added to their discomfort was the production capacity limitation, preventing them from immediately selling Vilda globally and reaping even more profits.

According to insider information received by Bruce, a Pfizer executive, frustrated by the insane demand for Vilda, proposed during a board meeting to hike the price of each pill to $12 to minimize losses.

Thankfully, other board members promptly shut down this outrageous proposal. The price was already nearly 50% higher than Viagra's, and any sudden price hike would likely invite more than protests—perhaps even gasoline bombs and the torching of office buildings.

Regardless, Bruce was fully aware of the market's fervor for Vilda. All he had to do was lie back and wait for his share of the profits to roll in, albeit with a slight disappointment as his first payout was expected only in January of the following year.

Ian Reid had called him three times, beaming with joy, praising Bruce's genius strategy. He patiently explained that profits were settled every quarter as part of normal procedures, not a delay in payment. He also subtly inquired about the progress of research projects in Bruce's Solar Corona company's laboratories, hinting at the prospect of maintaining a pleasant and long-term partnership and exploring more collaborative ventures.

But Bruce's responses were always measured, only slightly softening his stance at the end, indicating that they should stay in close contact and that there were still opportunities for collaboration. This left Ian Reid somewhat satisfied yet longing for more as the call ended.

As Bruce's "good friend," Chairman Louis Eldridge also received a special version of Vilda, crafted in Solar Corona's laboratories. This custom-made, non-mass-produced drug boasted a more scientific and balanced composition. Not only was it potent, but it also had additional benefits for the body, something Louis had fully experienced.

So, when he heard Bruce's remarks, he immediately thought of the special Vilda he was taking, which considerably boosted his confidence.

"I must say, Bruce, many should be grateful for what you've done. You're truly a genius," Louis Eldridge said with a knowing and proud smile, clearly enjoying his private life more than ever.

"I'm a simple man, Louis," Bruce replied with a smile, casually handing his golf club to the caddie and wiping off non-existent sweat with a towel before walking shoulder to shoulder with Louis Eldridge towards the lounge. "If I have something good, I naturally want to share it with friends. I trust that friends who are healthy and happy won't forget me, right?"

"Anytime you need, Bruce," Louis Eldridge laughed heartily, spreading his arms wide to fully express his stance.

The two sat comfortably under a large sun umbrella, enjoying a cool breeze and chatting. Soon, a golf cart appeared on the lawn and stopped near the resting area. Olivia, dressed in a crisp white polo shirt and ultra-short hot pants just like Bruce, elegantly extended her long legs and quickly sat down next to Bruce, whispering something in his ear.

"Craig Pearson, the club's manager, is a lively and interesting guy. I had Olivia upgrade our membership card privileges, and she took the liberty to upgrade yours too. Louis, I hope you don't mind our beautiful Olivia taking the initiative," Bruce said after listening to Olivia, turning to Louis casually.

"Well, I have to say, this is really…" Louis clearly understood the gesture. Cavros Club membership cards came in three types and five tiers, and his card was previously second-tier. Bruce had upgraded his membership to the highest tier, a level that required a million dollars in annual expenditure, and now, it was all going to be charged to Bruce's account.

"I'm sorry, I might have been a bit presumptuous. But for a gentleman like Mr. Eldridge, it's natural to feel this way. Please forgive me," Olivia said with a slightly embarrassed and flustered expression, then suddenly realized she hadn't introduced herself. "I'm Olivia Chan. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Eldridge."

"Right, I forgot to introduce you. Olivia is my capable assistant, and she'll be handling a lot of things from now on," Bruce said, picking up a bottle of Bling H2O mineral water from the table and taking a few sips. The Swarovski crystals embedded in the exquisite bottle sparkled in the sunlight. "Olivia, you'll have to learn a lot from Mr. Eldridge. If you make any mistakes or upset him, I definitely won't forgive you."

"It's my honor, Miss Chan," Louis Eldridge said gracefully, shaking Olivia's hand and making sure his gaze remained polite, not drifting towards her ample chest and long, shapely legs.

Olivia, transformed by Bruce, was like a spotlight wherever she went. Her 175cm stature and curves were striking, her dignified demeanor irresistibly alluring, showing no sign of the coquettishness she displayed in front of Bruce.

Louis, with his discerning eye, could tell this woman came from wealth and was different from inexperienced girls, likely Bruce Lee's off-limits delight.

In such situations, he always made sure not to let his lower half dictate his thoughts, to avoid upsetting the other party. Moreover, Bruce's introduction made it clear that he considered this woman his right-hand, meaning business talks only, an area where Louis was quite rational, given the abundance of beautiful women.

From her appearance and charm, she was undoubtedly a top-tier beauty, and Louis hoped she wasn't just a pretty face without substance. Clearly, many sensitive matters that couldn't be directly handled by either party would be entrusted to her, and he needed to understand her better.

"I trust Mr. Eldridge is a gentleman who wouldn't fuss over such a small matter," Olivia said with a smile, opening the cigar box on the table, picking a robust, ring gauge 47 Cohiba Espléndidos, skillfully cutting it with a cigar cutter, and then lighting it evenly with a special match for Bruce.

"Facing such a beautiful and considerate lady like Olivia, it's hard for anyone to stay upset," Louis remarked, watching Olivia attentively serve Bruce, a look of envy on his face mixed with genuine and feigned emotions, as if the cigar in his mouth had lost its flavor.