บท 200: The Rise
"Mr. Lee."
"To distinguish me from Martin, you can call me Leo directly."
"Alright, Mr. Leo, we understand that just a year ago, you were still in a coma. And within that year, you've established two companies.
Blume Corporation's ctOS system will become the designated security system for NYPD, forming the cornerstone of public safety in New York and receiving widespread approval. It's set to expand deployment in many regions.
The International Gene Cooperation Company has achieved remarkable results in genetically modified technology. After overcoming an unexpected incident, the company has restored its reputation and received recognition from medical authorities.
Now, both companies have passed their most difficult periods, and you are on the verge of becoming the youngest self-made millionaire.
And all of this has happened in just one year since you regained consciousness. Some even say you've surpassed Tony Stark as the new generation genius.
What would you like to say about that?"
"I would say that money is not the key, and neither am I. I hope people focus more on what we're doing and the changes we're bringing."
"Speaking of which, gaining the trust of the public and reversing their negative impressions of genetically modified technology seems harder than becoming a millionaire. Why not abandon those two companies and start fresh?"
"As a technologically advanced organization, we have a duty to set a better example in society, rather than just running away.
Like I said, making money isn't the goal. We want others to see that too.
Your family, the neighbors next door, and people across the world who appear on TV—these are the reasons for technological development.
It's people who make up society, not money or power."
"Wow, that's a grand vision. You're making me want to vote for you for mayor!
Speaking of that, after recent events, New York citizens are very dissatisfied with the current mayor and administration, leading to several protests.
We also received news that you formed a homeowners' association and a workers' mutual aid group early on in Hell's Kitchen. Does that mean you have opinions on our mayor too?"
"Of course—I don't just have opinions, I have some harsh words I'd like to say, but since this is a family-friendly show, I'll keep it to myself.
Yes, I have issues with him, especially with how he's neglected New York's safety. He seems to forget it's the citizens of New York who made him mayor. He's supposed to be a servant of the people, not an emperor.
Here, I'd like to recommend Anthony Flor, the joint chairman of the homeowners' association and workers' mutual aid group, as the next mayor of New York.
He's a political novice, but we built these organizations together in Hell's Kitchen and drove out the criminals."
Anthony Flor, Leo's neighbor, was a loud-voiced, middle-aged Latino man.
Though he came from a background of manual labor, his talent for public speaking and his ability to connect with people became evident as he got more involved in speeches and activism.
His close friend John, the Black man who had been stabbed in the throat by Bullseye, supported their cause.
Not everyone has the courage or ability like Leo, but John and Anthony were just two ordinary people.
During recent protests, the two led the homeowners' association and the workers' mutual aid group, working closely with the NYPD. Politicians were scared enough to rush home, and no gangs or criminals took advantage of the chaos.
The homeowners' association gave disgruntled shop owners and landlords a platform to express their frustration, while the workers' mutual aid group did the same for laborers, forming the base of Anthony's growing political influence.
And as for funding political activities? Of course, that was provided by Leo and Martin.
In such favorable conditions, the expansion of political power became an unstoppable chain reaction.
"I believe New York citizens would rather vote for you, but since you said that, they'll probably trust you.
Shall we end this interview with some good news?"
"Of course."
"New York citizens, here's a promise from the International Gene Cooperation Company: those who donate bone marrow will receive 20 times the amount of donated blood for free over the next five years. After that, they'll receive five times the amount of free blood for life.
Anyone who donates 200 ml of bone marrow will enjoy free blood for life.
Currently, this policy is only available at hospitals controlled by our company, but you can also transfer your blood allowance to relatives in need.
This is different from other free blood donation policies on the market: the International Gene Cooperation Company has advanced blood production technology, ensuring our blood banks are always full.
No longer will you have to watch privileged elites fly in from miles away to get blood, while even if you've donated, you still face blood shortages when you need it most.
In the near future, the bone marrow you donate could not only save you and your family in emergencies but also help the company achieve new breakthroughs in bio-therapies, solving the problem of organ shortages.
The International Gene Cooperation Company will also partner with Li Financial to launch a variety of health insurance plans. Stay tuned!"
While the Oscorp is a tech company, it controls numerous hospitals and pharmaceutical factories.
With this announcement, their stock price plummeted, and Martin, with his inside knowledge, seized the opportunity.
His target wasn't the company itself but Osborn's assets.
Factories, hospitals, and laboratories—all ready-made parts of an industrial chain—were there for the taking.
However, for various reasons, some of Osborn's assets were picked up by other companies.
"This CyberTech company, apart from us, is the biggest beneficiary. They took the brain-computer interface technology."
Martin entered the office and placed a document on the desk.
CyberTech.
Hydra's own high-tech industry, responsible for researching military combat prosthetics, just as its name suggests.
CyberTech recently announced a major breakthrough in brain-computer interface technology.
A detailed investigation of the money flow might reveal more about asset restructuring, but without agents in the field, it's unlikely they can investigate overseas.
However, despite CyberTech benefiting greatly, it only got the brain-computer interface and bio-armor technology, while Leo acquired almost the entire set of confidential technologies and industries. The difference was vast.
Of course, Leo was now deeply in debt due to the restructuring.
"They moved quickly." Leo stroked his chin. "How's the prison plan going?"
"We bought a small one first, and a new one is under construction." Martin leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. "I want to watch him die in prison, but before that, he's going to watch the name Norman Osborn be nailed to the pillar of shame."
"I have no objection. You handle it. But I have another suggestion—how about turning your people into a security company?"
The Demons, after all, were still a gang.
Gangs had their pros and cons. The pros were maintaining order and reducing production costs.
But Martin didn't deal much in the black market, mostly just some sweatshops.
The downside was simple: they couldn't operate in the open.
Now that they were high-tech enterprises, the profitable side could easily support a standalone security company.
Martin thought about it: "We could, but there's already a security company looking for us—they were supposed to sign a contract with Osborn, but Osborn suddenly backed out. They're hoping we'll take it."
"What company?"
"Silver Sable Security. I checked their record, very professional, with PMC qualifications. They're essentially mercenaries."
"They do sound professional. Let's keep the confidential stuff in-house, but I'll find a role for Silver Sable Security."
"Alright." Martin leaned back in his chair, his eyes turning towards the broken Oscorp Tower. "There's one more thing: Oscorp Tower is going up for auction. We need our own landmark building."
"You want to buy Oscorp Tower?"
"I want the land. Then I'll tear down the building and build some kind of monument with his name and deeds etched on it.
That'll be one of our landmarks. The other one..."
Martin suddenly got excited, pulling down a projection screen next to the glass and displaying a map of New York.
He circled their current areas of control: Hell's Kitchen, a few key parts of Chinatown, and Oscorp Tower.
Apart from Oscorp Tower, the other areas were all essentially slums, especially in the backdrop of the economic crisis.
"We can rebuild these areas, connect them together. My people trust me, your people trust you. We have the money and the manpower. Reconstruction will go quickly.
Then we can build our own office buildings, hospitals, schools, factories, malls... Build a second Manhattan, our own Manhattan."
"Sounds good, but that's a massive project."
"That's exactly what we need right now." Martin stared at the area he had drawn, full of ambition.
His great revenge had been fulfilled, and now it was time to find a new mission—something he had always wanted to do.
Leo waved his hand. "Then good luck. I've got to head to the lab."
"Mm."
Martin watched as Leo left the building, turning his head to gaze at the shattered Oscorp Tower.
His office wasn't tall, nor was its location great, but from here, he could always see Oscorp Tower, a constant reminder of his painful past.
Today, the scene he had long envisioned had finally come true.
Yet he didn't feel hollow from obsessing over revenge, nor did he feel empty at the moment of victory, or lost in the face of failure.
On the contrary, he had succeeded, moved past his need for revenge, and rediscovered his former self, with many things he still wanted to do.
He would not call achieving revenge a "good thing" because it represents an unchangeable painful past.
But thinking about not having to do those bad things anymore, no longer bearing the burden of revenge, and instead being able to embrace a different future—that could be considered a good thing.
Martin took out an old, yellowed family photo from his clothes, held it against his chest, and closed his eyes.
He could finally rest for a while.
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