Press Conference

"Don't worry. Once I'm out, I'll expose Drake's vile deeds immediately and make sure he spends the rest of his life in prison!"

Eddie thumped his chest in assurance.

Leaving aside the grudge he already had against Carlton Drake, Drake's actions alone were enough to warrant crushing him on the spot.

A life sentence would be mercy for Drake.

"I just don't want to see anyone die for such bizarre reasons again!"

Dora looked dejected.

Eddie's eyes flickered. He understood the implication behind Dora's words.

For the deaths of those previous volunteers, Dora could still convince herself that they had sacrificed themselves for medical science.

But when Carlton Drake turned his attention to aliens and used bizarre reasons no one else could understand to squander human lives, people like Dora Skirth, who were soft-hearted and indecisive, could no longer make money against their consciences.

Because it brought no benefit to society. It was nothing but the destruction of lives.

Most coincidentally, Eddie had appeared before her at just the right moment, giving her the courage to change the situation.

"Don't worry. I won't let Drake get away with this."

Eddie promised again.

Dora opened the door to the glass room.

But neither of them had expected that, at that moment, a security guard walked in.

Seeing Eddie free again, the guard tightened his grip on his gun and shouted, "Don't move, or I'll shoot! You'd better behave yourself!"

All Eddie wanted to do was curse.

For fuck's sake, you could've come earlier or later, but you had to show up just as I was leaving. Was I destined to die today?

His intense unwillingness made Eddie raise both hands and pretend to surrender, all while slowly moving toward the guard.

Click!

Seeing this, the guard pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Eddie was horrified.

Sensing danger, he dodged in advance.

Whoosh!

The bullet streaked past Eddie's ear, and the scorching airflow carved a bloody line across his cheek.

Crack! Crack!

The sound of shattering glass rang out.

Dora and the guard looked toward the sound, their faces changing dramatically.

The latter even forgot to keep firing, his face overtaken by indescribable terror.

"Run!"

Dora screamed herself hoarse, staring in horror behind Eddie.

At that moment, the guard forgot all about Eddie and was the first to bolt, sprinting away as though he had gone to call for help.

"What the hell?"

Eddie looked utterly confused.

Having just recovered from the relief of surviving death, he realized something.

His body trembled, and a chill ran down his back.

He slowly turned around and saw a pool of black, viscous matter that had reached his heels and was gradually crawling up his back.

He vaguely felt that this black slime had sunk into his body and become completely a part of him.

Gulp!

He suddenly understood, shocked and terrified.

A symbiote!

Some things could be recognized at a glance even when seen in the flesh for the first time.

New York, Osborn Tower.

Anton met the old man once again.

"Did you reach an agreement?"

Jonah Jameson smiled as he spoke. "Osborn Company has worked with the Daily Bugle many times, but this time is probably the biggest deal we've ever made. Anton, you haven't disappointed me."

"Old man, is this how you used to make money?"

Anton's expression was strange.

"Anyone with even a little intelligence would seek profit for themselves within reasonable limits." Jameson was unconcerned. "Every cent I make is legal income that doesn't violate my conscience, and I've paid taxes on it. You don't think I built my current fortune of tens of billions by using the Daily Bugle to extort people everywhere, do you?"

"Not exactly," Anton said admiringly. "But I really underestimated your connections."

"You'll discover more of my secrets in the future."

Jameson smiled.

In the Life Foundation incident, Anton had handed in a highly satisfactory answer.

Jameson was greatly pleased by this and had begun seriously considering grooming Anton.

Ring, ring, ring!

Suddenly, Anton's phone rang.

"Boss, the Life Foundation has just released a statement saying it will hold a press conference immediately to directly address the two major issues of 'homeless people' and 'illegal experiments'..."

Phil's voice came from the other end, incredibly excited. "We won!"

"Wait first. Let's see what Drake has to say."

Anton replied, "Although victory is in hand, we still need to guard against the enemy making a desperate last stand."

"Understood."

Phil nodded.

As they spoke, Anton and Jameson were ushered into the car by the driver.

Anton took out his phone and opened the Daily Bugle's livestream interface.

The image on the phone was aimed at the gate of the Life Foundation's experimental base beside the Golden Gate Bridge.

Although the gate was tightly shut, it was packed with people outside.

The crowd included not only the protesters who had previously blocked the entrance, but also journalists from every outlet who kept arriving, all hoping to be the first to report this major story that had sparked widespread public debate.

"Don't worry. The Life Foundation has admitted defeat."

Jameson glanced at it, brimming with confidence.

"Why do you say that?"

Anton was curious.

"The San Francisco city government gave Drake an ultimatum, demanding that he resolve the scandal as soon as possible." Jameson sneered. "Those high-and-mighty politicians don't want to see this scandal keep escalating."

"You even know about that?" Anton was surprised.

"That's where the secret lies. Otherwise, why do you think Norman Osborn was willing to give the Daily Bugle a share of the profits?"

Jameson said, "I told you, Anton. I have many more secrets."

"Fine."

Anton rubbed his head. "I just hope Eddie is safe and sound."

"Every undertaking requires sacrifice."

Jameson's tone was meaningful, laced with indifference. "Anton, you need to learn to accept reality."

"And you?" Anton asked. "Have you learned?"

"Of course."

Anton asked again, "If you have, then why retire?"

"That is life."

Jameson replied, "You'll understand in the future."

As the two spoke, the Life Foundation's press conference in San Francisco made progress.

The gates slowly opened.

Surrounded by several burly bodyguards, a lean man who looked barely over thirty appeared before everyone.

Carlton Drake.

A self-made billionaire.

"Mr. Drake, how will you respond to the public's condemnation?"

"There are rumors that you have already received a warning from the San Francisco Police Department. Is that true?"

"Will you go to prison?"

"Drake, die!!"

Countless people spoke at once, like hundreds of ducks quacking simultaneously, making everyone's head pound.

"Quiet, please."

Drake raised a hand, walked to the podium, and spoke solemnly into the small microphone. "Everyone, the Life Foundation has always upheld the mission of curing all human diseases. We have developed many new medicines and resolved numerous terminal illnesses, including pancreatic cancer, bringing hope to terminally ill patients around the world. Although we are now facing many false accusations, I still want to tell everyone that I, Carlton Drake, have a clear conscience..."