Eddie's Unwillingness to Let Go

"Anton, I hesitated for a long time before deciding to come see you."

Eddie said hesitantly, "There's something that's been bottled up inside me for a long time. I can't keep it in anymore. Before that, do you know why I was fired from my last company?"

"I heard a little about it. You offended a 'big shot.'"

Anton shrugged.

He walked over, pulled out the chair behind his desk, and invited him to sit.

After sitting down, Eddie asked again, "Do you know why I offended him?"

"Let me hear your story."

Anton returned to his seat and crossed one leg over the other. Looking at the nervous Eddie, he smiled. "Relax. No matter what you say, I won't fire you. I'm only the deputy editor-in-chief. I don't have the authority to fire anyone. You should know that you're the editor-in-chief. Whatever you want to say, be sure to find your courage."

Eddie was still nervous. Slowly, he said, "Carlton Drake, the owner of the Life Foundation. The reason his pharmaceutical company grew so rapidly was because he tested drugs on homeless people off the streets and conducted illegal human experiments. His entire business empire was built on the corpses of thousands who died with their eyes open—I pursued this issue during an interview and ultimately enraged him."

Anton looked thoughtful. "You lost your job because of this, so you're unwilling to let it go and want to keep digging?"

"I don't know."

Eddie's tone was hesitant, but there was also a trace of certainty. "I finally found another job... but like you said, he's turned my life into a complete mess. I can't accept it."

"I'll find time to discuss this with the old man."

After pondering for a moment, Anton said, "Go back to work for now. I'll give you an answer as soon as possible."

Carlton Drake of the Life Foundation was enormously wealthy.

In terms of net worth, Dr. Drake, who was still young yet had achieved remarkable medical accomplishments, might not have been any poorer than Jonah Jameson after decades of accumulated wealth.

If Eddie wanted to investigate this matter, it would be equivalent to the Daily Bugle openly declaring war on the Life Foundation.

Honestly, from a personal standpoint, Anton strongly supported Eddie exposing that scumbag Carlton Drake.

But he had to consider that the Daily Bugle did not belong to Anton. He lacked the capital to act on impulse.

Doing things without considering the consequences was a sign of immaturity.

Perhaps afterward, Anton could use his own strength to provide Eddie with some support. But from the Daily Bugle's standpoint, Jonah Jameson was the decision-maker, and Anton had to respect the old man's opinion.

"Okay."

Eddie assumed this was merely Anton brushing him off. Unable to hide his disappointment, he stood and prepared to leave.

"Wait, Eddie. Personally, I support you. But you know, although the newspaper is my family's, it isn't mine."

Seeing this, Anton added, "Don't worry. I'll do my best to persuade the old man."

"I understand. Thank you."

Eddie sensed the sincerity in those words, his expression turning grateful.

After watching him walk away, Anton stroked his chin, took out his phone, and called the old man to explain everything.

What Anton did not expect was that Jonah Jameson not only did not advise him to let the matter go, but instead burst into laughter and told Anton to inform Eddie to investigate it with everything he had.

Anton was surprised. Before he had even figured out how to persuade him, Jameson had agreed without hesitation.

"Why?"

He asked curiously, "Jonah, you should know better than I do that investigating the Life Foundation is highly risky. I've heard the Life Foundation has plenty of shady dealings behind the scenes. If we agree to let Eddie keep pursuing this, we may face violent threats from the Life Foundation, or even assassination."

"Anton, New York is our territory. The Life Foundation belongs to San Francisco. Trust me, the Life Foundation's reach can't extend into New York, and they wouldn't dare try."

Jameson was remarkably firm. "As long as you want to do it, go for it."

"Old man, I need to change my preconceived impression of you. So you really are a retired newspaper editor-in-chief, not the absurdly stingy newspaper owner I always imagined."

Anton smiled.

Besides being a businessman, Jonah Jameson had also served as the Daily Bugle's editor-in-chief for decades.

Everyone knew that newspapers did more than publish gossip. They also bore the social responsibility of exposing society's dark side and promoting positive values.

If he did not have justice in his heart, how could Jonah Jameson repeat such tedious work day after day?

If Jameson had invested that energy into other industries over the years, his wealth would have been at least several times greater than it was now.

"You've made me see you in a new light too, Anton."

Jameson sounded both gratified and delighted over the phone. Smiling, he said, "Whether or not you resolve this matter, you already have the determination expected of a newspaper owner."

"Save the praise for after this is settled."

Anton hung up.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just as he was about to call Eddie back into the office so they could discuss things in detail, someone knocked on the door again.

The top screenwriter had arrived.

Anton immediately put Eddie's matter aside and began discussing the movie script with the screenwriter.

To him, the Life Foundation was certainly important, but at present, anything related to the movie was far more important than the Life Foundation.

The top screenwriter was a white man named Browning Toby, born into a poor family.

Having struggled to attain his current life, Browning understood the importance of money better than anyone.

Therefore, he was extremely respectful toward Anton, the man paying him.

Their discussion went very smoothly.

Browning discovered that Anton was not some useless rich second-generation heir. The many settings surrounding Batman were refreshing, and the plot also suited mainstream tastes.

His role was merely to put the finishing touches on things, not to save the day.

Give me more jobs that pay well and are this easy!

Browning cried out inwardly.

"Based on what I just said, polish the script as quickly as possible," Anton said. "Besides that, I just thought of another job that suits you."

"Please, go ahead." Browning nodded.

"Write this story as a novel and promote it to the public as the first step of the film's publicity campaign," Anton said. "As for compensation, you'll receive the share you deserve."

"Deal."

Browning did not hesitate and nodded decisively.

The Batman story was already quite fully developed. The job was not particularly difficult, and the pay was above market rate, so he was more than happy to cooperate with Anton.

"Tomorrow, I'll fly to Los Angeles to meet Jim. If you need to go back to Los Angeles, you can come with me."

Anton nodded.

"Alright, then I'll take my leave."

Browning was good at reading the room. Seeing that Anton meant to send him off, he excused himself.

Anton looked out the window. Golden evening clouds filled the sky, dyeing the clouds in warm hues.

He suddenly came back to himself.

He had not expected to talk with Browning until it was this late.

He got up and went to the employee area, where he saw Betty packing up and preparing to leave work.

"Hey, Betty, has Eddie gotten off work?"

"I don't know."

Betty did not give him a pleasant look. Swaying her shapely hips, she walked away without looking back and vanished from Anton's sight.

"Was it really just because I went back on my word and didn't make you editor-in-chief? Women are way too petty!"

Anton rubbed his nose, feeling somewhat awkward.

"Anton, were you looking for me?"

Eddie happened to walk out of his office.

"Yes. Do you have time to grab a drink? There's a bar not far downstairs."

Anton invited him. "There are a few things I want to tell you."

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