"Unbelievable... It really worked!"
"Don't say that, Dad. It makes it sound like you didn't have much faith in me."
Norman was stunned by the series of test results, while Harry slowly put his clothes back on.
"I'm sorry, son, but this is incredible... You know, the most successful example of Human Augmentation Technology dates back to World War II..."
"Yes, Captain America. Almost all Americans know him."
"I'm proud of you, son." Norman set down the documents in his hand and embraced Harry tightly.
"I told you, you should have more faith in me." Harry smiled and patted Norman on the back.
"So... what are you planning to do with this technology? This is... groundbreaking."
Harry had long since prepared an answer for Norman's question.
First of all, making the technology public was out of the question. The best option was to keep it for themselves and use it in secret. Besides, Harry had carefully evaluated the technology involved. Even with sufficient technology, the Spartan Project's success rate was not one hundred percent, let alone now, when the technology was fundamentally incomplete.
Harry's own augmentation had benefited greatly from the system. Otherwise, the success rate of this surgery might have been only in the single digits.
As for some of the usable technologies, Harry would strip them down and break them apart before bringing them to Osborn Enterprises, patenting and commercializing them to strengthen the company.
Once the company had grown stronger, it would continue supporting Norman Osborn's political activities—following this model until he became US President.
"Good. It seems you've thought this through already." Norman was deeply gratified. His son had truly given him too many surprises.
The conversation quickly ended, and then the phone rang.
"Harry, where are you?" It was Heli.
Under Norman's eye roll, Harry smiled and walked over to the windowsill.
"Miss me, sweetheart?"
"You sound happy. Don't tell me you're out on a date with some girl?" Heli sounded like an angry little girlfriend. It had to be said, this woman must have practiced; just listening to her made Harry's heart itch.
"Come on, I'm still a minor. Could you watch the way you talk?"
"Hmph, a battle-hardened minor, right? Mr. Murdock called. He wants to meet with you."
Harry swirled his wineglass. Looks like our Daredevil has made some progress. It's time to start dealing with that self-righteous fat man.
That evening, Hell's Kitchen, Nelson-Murdock Law Office.
"Doesn't look like you used the money I gave you to renovate this place." Harry looked at the place that called itself a law office.
It was a run-down old building. Matt's law office was tucked into the farthest corner of the first floor, damp and cramped, with an utterly unreasonable layout.
As Harry approached the office, a chubby man in the same style of suit as Matt opened the door.
"I suggested he find somewhere better too, but that's just how he is." Foggy Nelson, Matt's assistant and close friend, said this.
"I won't use that money until I've confirmed that the employer is innocent. You know that," Matt said.
"Hey, Lawyer Murdock, I thought you were the kind of person who only took cases from people confirmed to be innocent. Also, could you maybe not say that right in front of me? It's hurtful."
Harry complained a few times as he walked into the office.
"There are no outsiders here, so I'll be direct. Why do you think... Wilson Fisk is this Kingpin you mentioned?"
Hearing Matt's question, Harry smiled.
"Osborn Enterprises is one of the top companies in America, remember? Of course I have my ways."
Matt fell silent. This was not the answer he wanted to hear, but he was silent for another reason—his senses told him that Harry had become very different.
"All right. Anyway, following your lead, I did find some clues."
Matt gave Foggy a look and took out a stack of documents.
"This Mr. Wilson Fisk established many large companies several years ago, including United Construction Company. He gradually became known as a millionaire and great philanthropist, but no one knows why he has so much money."
"But after investigating, I found traces of this man—I mean Kingpin—in many crimes from years ago."
"So, Mr. Osborn, I don't think you were lying. This guy has hidden himself very deeply."
After reading the materials, Harry took a sip of water and let out a deep sigh.
"So this is all you found after more than a month? Legally speaking, not one set of these materials forms a complete chain of evidence. Even to an outsider like me, most of it is just speculation and conjecture."
Harry was somewhat disappointed, though the result was not surprising. After all, Kingpin had used bloody and brutal methods to build his criminal empire. It was only expected that he would clean things up thoroughly when going legitimate.
"We don't have an entry point." Foggy spoke up for Matt. "We're not private detectives, after all."
"You're right." Harry had anticipated this as well. Fortunately, he had already made arrangements.
Harry turned on the television.
"Osborn Enterprises recently announced that the municipal power grid project will add a new partner, United Construction Company..."
"You partnered with him?!" Matt was shocked. "What are you planning to do?"
"Of course, I'm finding you an entry point. Look at this list of companies. You're now chief legal counsels for quite a few companies, and you're also serving as CEOs, CTOs, and all sorts of other random positions."
Also a month ago, Harry had agreed to give Kingpin a portion of the profits and had secretly funded the purchase of several shell companies under Kingpin's control that were used for money laundering—paying Kingpin protection money.
What Harry had actually wanted was to acquire shares in United Construction Company, but Kingpin's men were not incompetent. He could not find an opportunity.
"You want us to look for clues in these companies' accounts?"
"To be honest, I don't know exactly how to investigate." Harry spread his hands. He truly did not understand much about this. "But I do know that creating a financial relationship is the best way in. That part is up to you. Make sure you deal with this guy before the power grid project is implemented, or I'll lose quite a bit of money."
"Now, the 'Idiots' Group, the new company I created for this purpose, wants you to investigate these acquisitions and the problems involving these companies. After all, the investors all believe they were scammed."
Matt and Foggy exchanged a glance. Rich people really did things differently. Now it was time for them to get to work.
Meanwhile, at United Construction Company Tower.
New York's gang emperor, Kingpin, was looking down over Hell's Kitchen—his territory.
"Wesley, have you figured it out? What exactly happened?"
Wesley was his most reliable subordinate. Much of Kingpin's criminal empire was managed by him.
"It was Harry Osborn. He bribed those people and secretly carried out these operations." After a pause, Wesley continued, "Those traitors were moved to a residential complex outside the city. The NYPD has stepped up security there, so it looks like they've reached some kind of agreement."
Kingpin said nothing more.
But he felt that he might have made a foolish decision this time. The New York power grid project had been too tempting, and Harry Osborn had been too young. That was what had given him the idea of expanding his business, but now it seemed things had become somewhat troublesome.
"...Have Bullseye go scare that hotheaded kid. Maybe then he'll be easier to talk to."
Before you continue