The Malik Family

"Bruce!"

Betty tugged Banner, snapping him out of it. He said apologetically, "Excuse my manners!"

"It's fine, Dr. Banner. We still have to meet the Senator later, so I'll get straight to the point!"

Wang Bert said, "If you're willing to stay with Osborn Corporation, I can protect you. If you aren't willing, I won't force you. You can leave whenever you want, but I'm sure you know what will happen after you leave!"

"What else could it be besides being hunted down?"

Banner gave a bitter smile. He hesitated before asking, "If I join Osborn Corporation, what would I need to do?"

Wang Bert said solemnly, "You need to be researched!"

"What?"

Banner was stunned. Wang Bert laughed. "Just kidding, just kidding. Dr. Banner, you have seven doctoral degrees. Are you worried you won't be able to find something to do? Of course, it wouldn't be wrong to say you'll be researched, but the one researching you will be yourself. You can use Osborn Corporation's resources to study Hulk!"

"Mr. Green, I can study with you!"

Dr. Sterns said, "I've already agreed to join Osborn Corporation, Mr. Wang will fully support my research into Artificial Blood and Vampire genes!"

If either of those research projects succeeded, Dr. Sterns would become famous across the world! Banner was a little tempted. He said, "I'll think about it!"

"Take your time. There's no rush! I can protect you here!"

Wang Bert smiled. "Also, I won't restrict your use of phones or computers. You can use them however you like. If you want to see someone, you can invite them here too!"

Banner said gratefully, "Thank you!"

"You're welcome!"

Wang Bert waved a hand. Remembering something, he smiled. "Come to think of it, Dr. Banner, you're quite the celebrity now. A lot of lawyers have said they want to help you sue the military for compensation!"

"A celebrity?"

Banner was stunned. Thinking of something, Betty asked, "Mr. Wang, did you publicize what happened to him?"

"Yes, but I didn't reveal Dr. Banner's name or appearance. Every news report uses the aliases Mr. Green and Hulk."

Wang Bert said, "Dr. Banner, this is good for your current situation. At the very least, the military won't dare capture you so freely anymore. As for whether you want to truly step forward, that's up to you."

"Better not. I have to stay away from people as much as possible, or disaster could strike at any time."

Banner shook his head with a bitter smile. "Until I get rid of Hulk, I won't appear in public!"

Wang Bert said, "Dr. Banner, you might not need to get rid of Hulk. Hulk is you. He shares your emotional center. Otherwise, he wouldn't have risked his life to protect Betty!"

Banner frowned. "But he can't be controlled. You saw how destructive he was!"

"That's only because you never tried to control him!"

Wang Bert said to Banner, "He's like a newborn child. You've always kept him locked up, so of course he'll be angry when he comes out. If you let him out once in a while, then have Betty teach him beside you..."

"No, that won't work. That absolutely won't work. Hulk will hurt Betty!"

Before Wang Bert could finish, Banner interrupted him emotionally. He shouted, "Hulk must be eliminated. He never should have been born!"

"If he hadn't been born, you'd be dead!"

"I'd rather die!"

Banner roared, his eyes faintly beginning to turn green. Betty's expression changed, and she hurriedly soothed Banner. "Bruce, breathe, breathe..."

Banner also realized something was wrong. He hurriedly used the breathing technique he had learned to lower his heart rate. After a while, he let out a breath and apologized to Wang Bert. "Mr. Wang, I'm sorry, but Hulk shouldn't exist!"

"If you keep treating him this way, Hulk will only become angrier. Sooner or later, he'll replace you!"

Wang Bert sighed and said, "Get some rest. Dr. Sterns, talk more with Dr. Banner and see if there's any way you can help him!"

Dr. Sterns said, "All right. I was just thinking of talking more with Mr. Green!"

"If you need anything, make a list and give it to the staff!"

Wang Bert nodded to Betty, then turned and left!

"Banner's attitude is a bit troublesome!"

After leaving the room, Wang Bert frowned slightly. Just then, Lilith called. Senator Stern had arrived! In an Osborn Corporation office, Wang Bert shook hands with Senator Stern and smiled. "Senator, we meet again."

"Can't be helped. Both the military and Congress are in a hurry."

Senator Stern smiled. "The military has preliminarily agreed to purchase War Abomination, but they want to send several assistants to join your team!"

Wang Bert said, "That's no problem, but War Abomination's core secrets will not be opened to them!"

"Of course!"

Senator Stern nodded in satisfaction. He said, "Bert, General Ross has been dismissed and handed over to a military court."

Wang Bert knew this was the military showing goodwill. He smiled. "Serves him right!"

Of course, goodwill was goodwill. Wang Bert was not foolish enough to think the military would simply let go of its vigilance toward the Blood Clan, but that was not a major problem. In a few months, aliens would arrive!

"He definitely deserves it. The White House is surrounded by people protesting against him!"

Senator Stern smiled. "Bert, the military asked me to ask you: what would they have to pay to get Dr. Banner? His blood is very important!"

"Dr. Banner isn't merchandise. If the military wants him, they can send people to persuade him. If he agrees, he can leave anytime!"

Wang Bert said, "But he has a bad temper. Make sure you don't anger him. I don't want to rebuild Osborn Tower!"

"Don't worry, we know how terrifying he is!"

Senator Stern smiled. "By the way, Bert, Councilor Malik is holding a banquet this weekend. Are you interested in attending?"

"Councilor Malik from the World Security Council? I'll definitely be there on time!"

Wang Bert was a little surprised. If he remembered correctly, this Gideon Malik was one of Hydra's leaders. In other words, Hydra wanted to recruit him?

"Then I'll see you then!"

Senator Stern shook hands with Wang Bert, then turned and left. He still had to test-drive his new car, a very low-key antique car! Hydra?

Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, Wang Bert narrowed his eyes. Hydra had many factions. The S.H.I.E.L.D. one was definitely off-limits, but Gideon Malik's faction might be useful. After all, they would not meet their downfall until much later!

Besides, the god they worshipped was rather interesting.

The Malik Family was an enormous political family in America. They had existed since America's founding and wielded immense influence throughout the country! Thus, Malik Family banquets had always been eagerly sought after by high society. Everyone felt honored to receive an invitation—except Wang Bert!

This is so boring. I shouldn't have come. That bastard Stern actually stood me up!

Wang Bert stood in a corner, thinking unhappily. He was too young, and he had not publicly revealed his identity, so hardly anyone came to speak with him! A few wealthy ladies were interested in Wang Bert's sinister charm, but Wang Bert had no interest in them! "Mr. Wang, hello. I'm Stephanie Malik!"

At that moment, a beautiful woman in white walked over and extended her hand to Wang Bert. The people nearby were quite surprised. Gideon Malik's daughter had actually taken the initiative to speak to that young man? Anyone without sufficient status had no right to know who Wang Bert was!

Wang Bert shook Stephanie's hand and smiled. "Hello, Miss Malik!"

Stephanie smiled. "Mr. Wang, are you satisfied with the banquet?"

"I wasn't before, but now that you're here, I am!"

Wang Bert said with a smile. Stephanie covered her mouth and chuckled. After chatting with Wang Bert for a while, she suddenly asked, "Mr. Wang, what do you think of gods?"

"Gods?"

Wang Bert glanced at Stephanie and said, "People worship gods because they want something. By that standard, I'm a god too."

Stephanie was surprised. "How so?"

Wang Bert said proudly, "Power, wealth, immortality, even superpowers—I can give all of those to others. Wouldn't that make me a god?"

"That does seem true. No wonder you're called the Blood God!"

Stephanie was amazed. She asked again, "Then do you believe there are true gods in this world?"

Wang Bert shook his head. "Gods are simply stronger people. If I went back to ancient times, I would definitely become a god worshipped by countless people!"

Stephanie frowned slightly, not because Wang Bert was too arrogant, but because what he said made sense!

Of course, that was not enough to shake Stephanie's faith. She said, "Mr. Wang, you're very confident. My father wants to see you. Do you have time?"

Wang Bert smiled. "If Mr. Malik wants to see me, I'll make time even if I don't have any—just like if Miss Stephanie wants to ask me out!"

"Mr. Wang, you're joking. But if you have time, we could go out together sometime!"

Stephanie smiled as she led Wang Bert to the study, where the white-haired Gideon Malik was waiting for him.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Councilor Malik got to the point. "Mr. Wang, does Osborn Corporation intend to develop space technology?"

Wang Bert answered with certainty, "Yes. Osborn Corporation plans to complete its first spaceship within twenty years."

Councilor Malik had not expected Wang Bert to truly have such plans. He asked in delight, "You can complete it within twenty years?"

"Yes. Mr. Vanko of Osborn Corporation is a true genius. Within twenty years, he can definitely build a spaceship."

Wang Bert said, "Humanity should not keep its eyes fixed solely on Earth. The universe is vast. The Sea of Stars has always been waiting for us to conquer it."

"I completely agree."

Councilor Malik nodded repeatedly. "Mr. Wang, the Malik Family is greatly looking forward to Osborn Corporation's spaceship!"

"If you don't see a spaceship within twenty years, I'll give Osborn Corporation to you!"

Wang Bert said with a smile. Councilor Malik laughed heartily as well. His meaning was clear: as long as Osborn Corporation devoted itself to developing space technology, the Malik Family would speak on Osborn Corporation's behalf and might even provide some assistance! Given the Malik Family's standing, that promise carried considerable weight! And the reason he made that promise was not because he had taken a liking to Wang Bert and wanted him as a live-in son-in-law, but because the god they worshipped, "Hive," was on another planet. They needed a spaceship to bring their god back!

The greatest dream of Gideon Malik's branch of Hydra was to welcome back their god!

Wang Bert shook hands with Councilor Malik, but sneered inwardly. God? Once I crush your god with my own hands right in front of you, you'll know that gods are nothing!

In the blink of an eye, several days passed. Although General Ross had been sent to military court, the marches and protests continued, because people wanted the military to promise never to create such things again. Moreover, the military had yet to agree to compensate for the damages to that street! The military had no intention of paying compensation at all. It kept haggling with the business owners and even wanted to drag Watchmen Company and the city government into it, but neither Wang Bert nor the city government had any interest in dealing with them.

Wang Bert was rich, but that did not mean he would waste money. As for the city government, it was busy raising five hundred million dollars and had no interest in helping the military clean up its mess!

"Mr. Wang really is impressive. In only a few months, he brought Osborn Corporation back from the brink. If Mr. Osborn were watching from heaven, he would surely be very gratified!"

At night, Spider-Man hung upside down beneath a signboard as he read the newspaper. Then he flipped to the Daily Bugle. Unsurprisingly, it was insulting him again! Spider-Man unhappily turned to the next paper. Electro and the others had it much better. The Daily Bugle did not dare insult them recklessly, because that would earn it a warning letter from Watchmen Company.

Maybe I should join Watchmen Company too? Mr. Wang is a good person. Not only did he hire me as a sparring partner, he also invited me to join Osborn Corporation. It was because of this job that I could afford tuition, and I even met the adorable Miss Gwen and the charming Miss Hardy. Ah, they're both so wonderful!

Just as the scumbag Spider-Man was hesitating between Gwen and Felicia, a lecherous laugh suddenly came from the distance. "Little girl, how about Uncle plays with you?"

Something's happening!

Spider-Man immediately stuck the newspaper to the signboard, then swiftly swung toward the source of the voice. Before long, he saw a little girl in purple being led into an alley by several thug-like men! Spider-Man immediately swung over to rescue her, but to his surprise, men's screams rang out from the alley one after another. When he reached the alley, he found all the little thugs lying on the ground, while the purple-clad girl was using a short stick to rummage through their pockets for wallets! What's going on?

Spider-Man had been a hero for so long, yet he had never seen anything like this. Such a pretty little girl had actually taken down several thugs?

The purple-clad girl jumped in fright upon hearing movement. When she saw Spider-Man, she relaxed and shouted, "Spider-Man, these are my spoils. You can't steal them!"

Spider-Man asked in astonishment, "Spoils? Spider-Man doesn't steal a child's spoils. Wait, you took all these guys down?"

"Of course I did. They were so weak. They can only bully children!"

The purple-clad girl said matter-of-factly, "Also, they're so poor. They don't have any money on them, and even their watches are fake. As expected, it's better to rob those gangs instead."