บท 48: Chapter 48: Is the Water Sweet?
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Another three months passed, and the law firm's new office building was finally completed. The firm moved in and began the process of hiring more staff. Previously, only a few people had been hired due to the limited space in their old rented office, but now with more room, they could expand.
Meanwhile, Link and Jessica's private gym had also been finished. The gym had thick rubber flooring, but the main floor was still empty. However, the basement was fully set up, featuring a 50-meter shooting range, a weapon locker, and other basic facilities. The lighting throughout was artificial, and the entire structure was ventilated via a central air system. The sealed design of the building made it quite unique.
Surveillance systems were installed around the perimeter to ensure strict monitoring, which was a priority for both the law firm and the gym. Link highly valued the use of security systems, as they were essential to ensuring safety and protecting their secrets. After all, you never know when someone might start paying attention to you.
For instance, when Link had taken out over 300 people in the desert, did no one raise suspicions? It was mainly because of his speed—his opponents hardly had any chance to fight back. While they did manage to fire some shots, the lack of surviving witnesses and any evidence captured on camera, combined with the obscuring nature of the desert, left little for anyone to go on.
Link was aware that his combat prowess wasn't under question, but people were likely wondering just how powerful he truly was.
Was he oblivious to this?
Of course not. In fact, he had done it intentionally. In the future, he anticipated encountering more challenges, so it was better to send a clear message early on and deter any future trouble. Even someone like Nick Fury could harbor suspicions, but he wouldn't act rashly—especially since Link was now technically under his command. Fury had to tread carefully. Losing such a valuable asset wasn't an option.
There were plenty of other "special" people in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s ranks, but none of them quite fit Fury's plan for the Avengers. Despite not being his ideal candidates, Link, Hawkeye, and Black Widow were the best options for now. Fury needed them on the team to maintain control.
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In the law firm, Link and Jessica sat alongside Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson.
"Now that we've moved into the new office, the firm is finally running smoothly," Jessica said. "Some of the contracts will be transferred over, like my driver's contract, which will go under the foundation."
"Sweetheart, what about the car?" she asked.
Link thought for a moment and said, "Let's keep the car private for now. If I ever want to change vehicles, it's easier that way."
"The foundation should focus on charity work, so we'll handle our personal matters separately."
"Alright, vehicles won't be part of the foundation," Jessica agreed. "Everyone's contracts will be re-signed under the firm. We also need to speed up the hiring process and bring on some more assistants."
"With our partnership with Vanessa's charity, there are so many people who need help. Although most of the cases aren't too complicated, the sheer volume of work is overwhelming. I don't want any mistakes."
"Remember, we're just collaborators. Our priority is serving the clients' best interests, but the paperwork can be quite tedious."
Foggy Nelson added, "Miss Jones, that shouldn't be an issue. While finding qualified lawyers might take time, there are plenty of law school graduates eager for internships."
"With the sheer number of cases between the two foundations, it's the perfect opportunity for them."
Matt Murdock then spoke up, his tone more cautious, "But we need to be careful. Wilson Fisk is not a simple man."
Link chuckled. "Matt, I know what you're concerned about. Remember, I was a cop."
"I know exactly who Fisk is, but we need to break down this issue."
Murdock furrowed his brow. "Break it down? How?"
"First, let's look at Hell's Kitchen. You know this place better than most. What was it like before, and what is it like now? It's important to compare."
"Crime can never be completely eradicated, especially not in a place like New York," Link continued. "The second point is that a form of order—any order, even a flawed one—is better than chaos."
"And third, we can't rely solely on politicians, the police, or even the legal system. They're not enough."
Murdock fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "So you're saying we should allow crime to exist?"
"Matt, that's your mistake. You can't just raise a problem without offering a solution," Link replied. "We all know what the issues are, but what's the solution?"
"Take Hell's Kitchen, for example. Everyone knows it's a hub for crime, but what's being done to fix it?"
"Politicians tried to rename it Clinton or Midtown West, thinking a new name would solve the problem. But it hasn't."
"They can't even fix the lead contamination in the water pipes! Sure, my apartment has purification systems, and so does this office. But what about the average person?"
"They're still drinking contaminated water. Is the water sweet?" Link asked, raising an eyebrow.
Murdock's face turned red. Link was right—he had identified the problems, but he couldn't propose any solutions.
And the politicians? What had they accomplished?
Lighting a cigarette, Link took a long drag before speaking again. "Fisk is following my advice right now."
"Our role as partners is to oversee the contracts and ensure he sticks to them. That's something we can do."
"As for the drug addicts and criminals, they'll eventually be kicked out of the low-income housing. Those homes are meant for law-abiding citizens."
"I offered Fisk some advice because at least he's willing to get things done. He's not clean, but he acts."
"And he has the means to do it. If someone else were to take on the redevelopment of Hell's Kitchen, they'd be swallowed whole within days."
"I even told him not to bite off more than he can chew. He couldn't handle it before, and he still can't now. He needs to approach this as a long-term project."
"And I'll tell you the same thing—you can't solve all of Hell's Kitchen's problems overnight. But you can make it a little better, step by step."
Foggy, who had been quiet, finally chimed in, "Link's right! We can take it one step at a time. At the very least, we're helping care for the elderly, aren't we?"
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