Old Cooke had been thriving for the past six months thanks to his association with Clark, not only making it to editor-in-chief but also enjoying a significant increase in salary and benefits.
To further expand the influence of "Battle Through the Heavens," Cooke spared no effort in presenting the benefits of accepting interviews to Clark whenever TV stations expressed interest.
However, Clark was not keen on exposing his identity so early, planning to wait until the readers' anticipation reached a peak before making a grand reveal to harvest a massive amount of impression points.
This strategy, somewhat akin to hunger marketing, had been proven effective by the market.
Thus, Clark was in no rush to expose his face in front of cameras.
With "Battle Through the Heavens" only published less than halfway, the audience's expectations had not yet peaked. However, Clark could no longer afford to wait.
The Hand would not give him much time to grow at leisure.
Cooke seemed prepared for Clark's request, quickly proposing two popular TV shows for Clark to choose from.
"Appointment with the Stars": A talk show format where the host and guests sit face-to-face for a chat, mainly about hot topics that interest the audience. The show is recorded before broadcast, allowing for discussions about content and editing, making it a relatively mild discussion program.
"The Real You": Another talk show, but broadcast live, featuring several outspoken critics who challenge the guests with difficult topics, with the host acting as a mediator to smooth over any overly awkward moments.
Just from the descriptions, it was clear that "The Real You" could easily lead to embarrassing moments for guests, but its authenticity had made it incredibly popular, far surpassing "Appointment with the Stars" in ratings.
However, what Clark needed was visibility, so he chose "The Real You" without hesitation when faced with Cooke's suggestion.
After some persuasion from Cooke to no avail, he took the initiative to make the arrangements.
Within ten minutes, a message came back, scheduling the show for Saturday at 8 PM and reminding Clark not to be late.
With professional nursing staff in the hospital and sufficient funds, patients could receive the best care without worry. Yet, Hope remained concerned for her father and decided to stay until he woke up, insisting Clark go back home.
"Don't worry about my father. 'The Real You' is not a friendly program. You might want to prepare by watching some of their past episodes."
Clark couldn't help but smile bitterly at her comment, "Aren't you blaming me for seeking fame on TV at a time like this?"
"You have your reasons for doing so," Hope replied calmly, shaking her head. "And I have a feeling that fame is crucial for you, perhaps even key to defeating your enemies. Don't ask how I know; maybe it's just a woman's intuition?"
Your intuition is damn accurate! Clark assured her he would find a way to wake up Hank Pym soon and then left the hospital.
Back home, Clark didn't follow Hope's advice to watch past episodes of "The Real You." Instead, he dove into the wealth of information left by Hank Pym.
Solving Hank Pym's condition caused by the backlash of the Pym Particles meant finding a solution within quantum physics.
Theoretically, Clark's approach was absolutely correct, but the difficulty far exceeded his expectations.
When it came to quantum physics research, Hank Pym was the true authority.
If it were easy to find a solution to the side effects of the Pym Particles, Hank Pym wouldn't have retired honorably.
After a sleepless night buried in research without any results, the arrival of two visitors the next morning brought him back from his frantic state.
"Matt?" Clark was surprised to see the blind lawyer at his door, knowing Matt had been seriously injured in their last battle. "How did you get out of the hospital so quickly?"
Could Daredevil possibly have super healing abilities?
This thought was immediately dismissed by Clark.
With peak human senses, including vision, smell, and even organ functionality, Clark detected an unmistakable scent of blood on Matt, indicating his injuries were far from healed; he was merely pretending to be alright.
Matt introduced his companion, Chelsea Bernie, the owner of Ona Films, who had come to discuss the purchase of the Pick-Pitt Visual Effects Studio with Clark.
After some negotiation, they reached a preliminary agreement to buy the studio for $5 million, pending legal paperwork.
After Bernie left, Clark asked Matt, "You're injured, why leave the hospital so soon?"
Matt replied with a wry smile, "It's not just me; Frank has also been discharged. Hospitals aren't exactly safe for people like us."
Clark fell silent, contemplating the responsibilities that come with power.
Being a superhero might seem glamorous, but the burden they carry is unimaginable to most.
Having brought together these individuals, it was up to Clark to solve logistical issues, like creating a support base akin to Tony Stark's Avengers Tower.
This task needed to be prioritized.
"Don't worry, I'll form the head!"
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