**
Matthew Murdock is like a saint. He refuses to stain his hands with blood, and while he fights crime every night without killing, his impact remains limited. Even if he manages to take Fisk down, what will really change? Someone else will just rise in his place—it's an inevitable cycle. At the very least, Fisk is doing something. What happens when the next person is only in it for the money? How much worse could things get?
Matthew was deeply troubled. He had indeed only pointed out the problems without offering any solutions. Link had bluntly called him out on it. It's one thing to raise an issue, but you can't expect others to solve it for you—especially when you don't offer solutions yourself.
The conversation ended with no further disagreements, and everyone focused their energy on resolving the contractual matters. Fisk, on the other hand, wasn't idle. He began appearing on major media outlets, showing up regularly in the spotlight.
He had also established a new company at the docks, responsible for loading and unloading as well as transporting construction materials needed by his joint construction projects. With sea transport being more cost-effective, unloading nearby further reduced transportation expenses.
Fisk hired all his workers from Hell's Kitchen, while his own men took charge of security at the docks. Any gang that wanted to operate there would need his approval. The Irish and Russian mobs, once the dominant forces in Hell's Kitchen, had suffered significant losses in recent times, and with the Hand's operations also being curbed, Fisk's power now overshadowed them all.
---
"Wesley, any new thoughts on Hell's Kitchen?" Fisk asked.
Wesley was truly talented, fluent in several languages. "The hospital expansion is not an issue, but a full-scale expansion is out of the question for now—it would drain too much of our funds. We can only start with acquisitions for now," Wesley replied. "As for other developments, we could create a large, comprehensive supermarket. That would open up opportunities to integrate dining, entertainment, and other businesses."
"I'm talking about *legitimate* entertainment," Wesley added with a smirk. "We could even establish a red-light district, concentrating the gangs' businesses there. It would attract outsiders while also helping clean up the rest of the streets."
Fisk, clearly pleased, said, "As expected, this is where your real talents shine. Handling street-level operations was always a waste of your potential."
"I'll do whatever it takes to help you achieve your vision," Wesley responded sincerely. He considered Fisk a friend, and Fisk regarded him the same way.
"Oh, by the way, I heard the heir to Rand Enterprises has returned?" Fisk inquired.
Wesley nodded, "Yes. The Rand family perished in a plane crash, but their bodies were never found. Their shares remained unresolved, but now the heir has returned and proven his identity. He's reclaimed his shares."
Rand Enterprises was located in Hell's Kitchen, which wasn't without its major corporations and high-rises—there were just fewer of them compared to other areas. Wesley continued, "However, he's uninvolved in the company's operations, likely because he's had no formal education. The Meachum siblings are still running the show."
"Interestingly," Wesley added after a pause, "it appears their father, Harold Meachum, might still be alive."
Fisk raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"I wasn't aware of it until recently, but ever since Madame Gao's group disappeared, many things have started coming to light. Harold Meachum's survival might have something to do with them."
"I see," Fisk muttered thoughtfully. "It seems that Alexandra and Madame Gao had their own agenda. Their disappearance was too clean—almost too suspicious. I suspect they were wiped out by another force."
He paused before advising Wesley, "Be careful. Keep a few more people around you for protection."
Wesley nodded, sharing his suspicions. "For such a large organization to vanish so discreetly, it could only be the work of a government agency. Given that they haven't moved against us, I believe we're safe for now."
Fisk, still cautious, warned, "We can't afford to be careless. This is the most favorable situation for us so far. The drug and human trafficking operations have been completely shut down."
"We need to establish that red-light district quickly. We can't let the gangs go hungry, or they'll stir up trouble. Let them know about the plan—everyone should work together to draw in outsiders."
"And make sure the West Midtown Precinct increases patrols at night. We need to maintain order."
---
"Come on, attack me!" Link said, standing in the gym with Jessica. "Use the techniques you've learned. Attack however you want."
"Here I come," Jessica responded, charging forward with a straight punch.
As Link dodged effortlessly, he offered, "Your intentions are too obvious. You need to mix things up, feint and mislead. Don't let your opponent see through you so easily."
"Watch your footwork and keep your attacks fluid. Don't be too rigid—use your techniques to create opportunities, but remember, it's your strength that wins the fight."
Link continued to dodge as he taught Jessica. She couldn't land a single hit on him, but her strength and stamina allowed her to keep going relentlessly. Their daily training sessions now lasted several hours, involving both hand-to-hand combat and firearms practice. Link had selected the Glock 26 for Jessica—it was compact and suited her hand size.
Jessica's immense strength made recoil a non-issue, but her accuracy and muscle memory still needed improvement. That was what hours of practice were for. Link had purchased plenty of ammunition, ensuring Jessica could train as much as necessary.
Her progress was remarkable. Not only was her training paying off, but her powers were also improving significantly. They had even stopped working out at home, preferring the gym to avoid breaking any more furniture or floors.
Jessica could go all out in her training, while Link still had to hold back, though his strength had increased significantly as well. These sessions left Jessica exhausted, but their relationship continued to deepen as they both felt they were perfect for each other.
As winter settled over New York, Stark Industries delivered good news: the Jericho missile had been successfully developed and was entering the testing phase. Tony Stark was also the frontrunner for next year's Apex Award.
Link had been eagerly awaiting this moment. With Iron Man's debut, the Marvel Universe was about to begin in full force. Although the movies painted it as the beginning, Link knew the true tipping points would be Odin's aging and the Ancient One's death. As long as they were around, even Thanos wouldn't dare set foot on Earth.
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