General Ross's Call

"Mr. Osborn, there are rumors that you recently killed a foreigner in the Clinton District—Hell's Kitchen. How do you explain that?"

As usual, whenever Harry did something significant, he had to deal with troublesome press conferences.

Although Harry was confident he could handle these issues, he still had to put on the proper show. Besides, this was a critical period in Norman's political career.

"Miss Reporter, I need to correct your wording. He was not a 'foreigner,' but a Professional Killer. My actions were in self-defense. In fact, my lawyer is already handling the matter, and you may continue following up on it."

When Harry uttered the words "Professional Killer," the room erupted in gasps.

"I apologize. My wording was inappropriate." The female reporter quickly apologized and sat down.

In truth, Harry had arranged that question himself—someone was bound to ask it, so he might as well have one of his own people do it.

"It's all right." Harry smiled and nodded, then pointed toward the audience. "This reporter, what's your question?"

"How did you subdue that professional criminal? There are rumors that you were as heroic as Captain America fighting Nazis. Some have even speculated that you underwent the same Human Modification as Captain America."

Harry smiled. He had arranged this question as well.

"This reporter, what's your name?"

The young man froze for a moment, then realized Harry was giving him a chance to become familiar to the public. He immediately answered excitedly:

"My name is Eddie Brock. You can call me Eddie. I'm still in college."

"Working while studying and standing on your own? Then I suppose we're colleagues in a sense?"

Harry's answer drew laughter from the crowd. Quite a few people offered Eddie friendly smiles. Sometimes, it was important to give young people opportunities while leaving a good impression of oneself.

"Back to the subject. Thank you for your question, Eddie. This concerns our company's new product."

Harry gestured for Heli to step forward.

"This is a new type of Exoskeleton designed specifically for law enforcement officers. It enhances the wearer's physical capabilities and strength, while also being equipped with Bulletproof Steel Plates."

In the video, Heli lifted a 300-kilogram barbell without seeming to exert any effort.

Then, the event played footage of the Exoskeleton's simulated combat test, leaving everyone amazed.

"As everyone knows, our company was attacked and robbed some time ago. Many Industrial Exoskeletons were stolen, causing widespread panic. I deeply apologize for that."

Harry set down the microphone and gave a deep bow.

"Mr. Osborn, we all know that wasn't your fault. It was the criminals' fault. You don't need to blame yourself," Eddie continued.

"No. Using technology to improve lives and build the future has always been Osborn Company's mission. That is why I developed this Exoskeleton and decided to sell this equipment to the NYPD at cost price!"

The room burst into applause.

"In fact, over the past few months, we have already established close cooperation with the NYPD. We will crack down on several areas of the city with persistently high crime rates, especially Hell's Kitchen!"

Applause rang out once more.

Harry paused and took a sip of water. Everyone waited obediently for what came next.

"I know some people have said that my father and I are being discriminatory by publicly using that name. But is the real discrimination really a matter of the name?"

"Drugs are rampant, public safety is terrible, and jobs are scarce. A child born in Hell's Kitchen may learn to use drugs, or even sell them, by the age of ten or earlier. Turning a blind eye to these problems while obsessing over a name—that is the real discrimination against them!"

"The Osborn Group will soon launch renovation measures. In the future, once these problems are resolved, you can give it a more meaningful name if you wish!"

"You know what to do! Vote for Norman Osborn!"

The press conference ended amid applause.

Watching the recording of last week's press conference, father and son clinked their glasses.

"You seem to have more potential as a politician than I do, my son."

"Come on, Father. That was just a script Heli wrote beforehand. If I had a choice, I'd rather let her say those things."

"So, you two..." Norman straightened up and made a gesture.

Harry rolled his eyes at his father. "Come on, I'm only seventeen, Father. Besides, there are still some things I need to confirm. At the very least, wait until you become president before making any decisions."

"Oh, please. Don't I know you? By the way, you'll be an adult soon. Is there anything you want?"

"The New York City Power Grid. That's it." Harry shrugged.

"Speaking of that, the mayor agreed to delay the project, but the new power grid will use Doctor Otto's Nuclear Fusion Technology. I agreed."

Harry did not mind. Nuclear Fusion was meant to be used for the New York power grid anyway. Didn't that count as exceeding the mission requirements? After all, the original Power Grid Design had used Hydropower.

The only problem now was Kingpin. But to checkmate that fat bastard, he still needed a little more time. In recent days, the desperate fat man had stirred up quite a bloody storm.

Ring ring—

It was Norman's phone.

"General Ross." Norman gave Harry a meaningful look. "How have you been?"

"Not very well, Norman. Stark has been missing for too long. Congress is worried that the new weapons may fall into enemy hands."

Harry found that strange. He remembered that Stark should not have been missing for this long.

Then he suddenly thought of something—the U.S. Military in the movies had not possessed the Power Armor he had developed... In other words, the timing of Stark's trip to Afghanistan, and everything that would happen there, should be different. Besides, this world had never been exactly the same as the movie world he knew.

Was this the Butterfly Effect?

"Is Harry with you?" General Ross specifically asked for Harry.

"Wait a moment. I'll go get him."

After a moment of silence, Harry spoke:

"General Ross, what can I do for you?"

"I'll be direct. Is that rumor true? Human Augmentation Technology?"

So it was indeed about that. General Ross had always been obsessed with Human Enhancement. He had even created something like the Hulk, and after Banner disappeared, he had never stopped pursuing him.

"No, General. If we obtain controllable technology, we will naturally seek cooperation with you first." Father and son exchanged smiles.

As for uncontrollable technology, that was another matter. Ross naturally understood the subtle wording in Harry's words, but he misunderstood Harry's meaning. He thought Harry was referring to the Green Goblin Enhancer, the project they had abandoned.

"..." Silence fell over the other end of the line.

At that moment, Harry suddenly realized that General Ross, as a major figure in the military, was highly valuable as an ally. Perhaps he could establish deeper contact and cooperation with Ross.

"However... General, another one of our projects may interest you..."

Harry reported Doctor Connors's ongoing research to General Ross. As expected, Ross immediately became interested.

If he could win Ross's support as well... With military, political, and business interests all betting heavily on him at once, Harry could not imagine how Kingpin would turn things around.