Peter wasn't Spider-Man, so Martin Li had reason to make contact and get to know him again.
In many versions, he was Spider-Man's archenemy, Kingpin's rival, and, in a few cases, his enemy was the Osborn Group.
Martin's "financial business" had risen eight years ago, during the last frenzy in the American housing market. In fact, it seemed to have been founded around the same time as United Construction Company.
And in New York, working in "finance" and "real estate" almost meant that you were a mob boss.
Considering that he had become a hot potato, yet Martin was still approaching him in this way, the financier probably wasn't having an easy time either.
Martin said warmly, "Since we have the same last name, I'll call you by your first name. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not."
"You have strong technical capabilities, but you suffered an undeserved misfortune because of an intern. I'm deeply sorry about that. If you don't mind, I'd like to know what you're planning to do next."
"At present, the side effects of the Lizard Serum can't be eliminated, but that doesn't mean it has no other applications. I'll continue investing in the research."
"But you need money." Martin had found an opening. "With all due respect, the court only mentioned 2.34 million dollars today, but the final damages will be double that."
Lier raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"You're a competitor of the Osborn Group, and you're ahead of them. They'd be more than happy to trip you up a little-and the Government would be more than happy to trip you up, too."
That was a bit of nonsense. Lier immediately realized Martin was trying to set him against the Osborn Group.
The Osborn Group didn't need to trip him up at all. The