Electro's Career Change

Max Dillon, an ordinary electrical engineer at Osborn Enterprises.

His daily work revolved around electrical networks. He was diligent and loved his job, but... life was always hard.

Take today, for example. He was late for work again because of the crowded subway.

"Dillon, you're late again." A senior engineer with glasses bumped into Max.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir... the subway was just too crowded..."

"Stop. Don't you realize the project is in a critical phase? The future is coming, and no one wants him to be late."

"Ah, sir, speaking of that, I uploaded a lot of power grid designs. What do you think of them?"

"Power grid designs?" The senior engineer stopped and looked at Max. "I read them. They're all garbage."

"Sir..."

Just as Max was about to say something more, a commotion broke out outside the door.

"Osborn Enterprises reaches a major cooperation with the Military! Osborn Enterprises is a thing of the past—Osborn Group rises from the ashes!"

"At just 17 years old, Harry Osborn takes the helm of Osborn Group. The second Tony Stark?"

Making headlines felt great, but facing a swarm of reporters at the company was a real pain.

"Mr. Harry Osborn, what role did you play in the formation of the Osborn Group?"

"I think I only did some minor work. What matters is that my father laid a solid foundation for me."

"Mr. Harry Osborn, some people call you the second Tony Stark. What do you think of that?"

Harry smiled and said nothing.

"Mr. Harry Osborn, why did you choose to pivot to a military enterprise? Don't you realize your actions will kill countless XX people!"

Harry took a breath, thought it over, and decided to say something.

"In fact, the Osborn Group hasn't pivoted to military enterprise. We've just slightly expanded our business scope. Besides, the EXO Series will mostly be applied to civilian use, like underground operations. I doubt a reporter like you knows how harsh workers' environments really are, right?"

The reporters were left speechless.

"Look, you've worked hard blocking me at the company entrance this early. Let me give you a little hint: the Osborn Group's next step is to go deep into the energy sector. Actually, we've already started this project, and we're almost seeing results."

With that, without waiting for the reporters to react, Harry turned and entered Osborn Tower.

"Ah, what a bunch of annoying people... Good morning, Miss Heli."

As soon as he walked in, a blonde, blue-eyed secretary with curves in all the right places was waiting at the door with a smile. Harry greeted her and indulged in a little hand action—they were old friends, nothing like sexual harassment.

"Harry, the Department of Energy submitted a new version of the standard city power grid design yesterday. You need to take a look..."

"Yeah, I was just about to mention that. Call Max Dillon over..."

As Harry passed the stairwell, he noticed two people frozen in place, staring straight at him. One of them was holding a huge stack of engineering blueprints.

"Is there something you two need?"

"Nothing!" the employee with glasses suddenly said loudly.

"Oh... Harry, this is Max Dillon. If our company doesn't have a second Max, he should be the one you're looking for." Heli said from the side.

Harry glanced at Max. So this was... Electro. He'd just confirmed yesterday that this guy worked at the company, and he ran into him today.

Max was a black man with a cowering demeanor, looking like the Electro from the movie The Amazing Spider-Man. If that was the case, he should be a decent engineer.

With that thought, he continued toward the elevator, waving at Max.

"Perfect timing, Max. Come with me."

"Yes, sir!"

Bam!

Closing the office door, Harry and Max sat down face to face.

"I heard you submitted quite a few power grid designs. Tell me your ideas."

Harry finished speaking, but Max sat there like a wooden statue, as if he'd been startled.

Seeing no response, Harry frowned. Then it hit him—the movie version of Max seemed to be a nobody starved for attention, looked down on and treated unfairly at work, even developing some psychological issues.

He's not getting ideas about me, is he? Harry shuddered, remembering how Max in the movie turned from a fan of Spider-Man into a hater. That was genuinely terrifying.

"Max," Harry tapped the table, "let's talk work."

"Yes, sir!"

Then Max launched into a nonstop explanation. From the conversation, Harry felt he was indeed an electrical engineer with great ideas. Harry compared his designs with the Global Power Grid Design Outline the system had rewarded him, and found quite a few similarities.

"Not bad... It seems you really are... well, a talented employee."

Max didn't reply. Harry hadn't hidden the global power grid design—it was projected on the office screen, and Max could see those elegant schematics.

"But... I think you've probably noticed too. Compared to the version I have here, yours still has some issues."

Harry's words made Max lower his head.

"So, I have some ideas here regarding the power grid design. Take them back and look them over, then submit the next version of the design to me in a while."

"Alright... Wait a moment, Mr. Osborn, directly to you?"

"Mm, directly to me. Actually, my father has already negotiated with New York City Hall. The Grid Improvement Project will be starting soon, and I plan to make you the Chief Engineer."

"That's really great... What? You said you want to make me what?"

Max bounced up like a madman, his momentum so fierce it made Heli beside him flinch.

"Sit down." Harry waved a hand. "You're about to be Chief Engineer. Even if it's just the technical lead, I still hope you can be a bit more composed. Do you understand what I mean? The group has high hopes for the power grid project."

"I-I-I-I... I, thank you! Mr. Osborn!"

Max stammered, unable to form a proper sentence, bowing and nodding to Harry over and over again, on the verge of tears—no, he was already crying.

Harry sighed. The Electro from the movie wasn't really a bad person either. With his talent, letting him take charge of this for the company was just right. He just hoped the man could change his personality a bit and stop being so jumpy all the time.

After all, the system had just issued a major mission, and if nothing unexpected happened, he'd need Max's help to see it through.

[Mission: Energy Monopoly]

[First Ring: Establish and control the New York City Power Grid]

Seeing that "First Ring," Harry knew this mission would be a long one.