Hearing the conversation between Norman and Anton, Eddie and Phil began to understand the intricate power dynamics in play. A group of people entered the "Limb Regeneration Technology" department and noticed the New York Police Department already handling the situation.
"Mr. Osborn, do you need me to tell you the identity of the lizard?" George Stacy greeted Norman Osborn, then looked over to Dr. Connors, who sat on the floor in silent resignation.
"I don't think it should be necessary. Your employees, especially the smart ones like Dr. Connors, aren't strangers to you."
Norman looked at Connors with a contemplative expression, then addressed George. "Director Stacy, may I speak to Dr. Connors alone?"
"Of course," George replied, as if expecting the request. He motioned for the officers guarding Connors to step back. There was little concern Connors would resist—without his lizard form, he was a man of limited mobility, unable to cause any harm.
Anton and the others instinctively took a step back, respecting the private conversation between the two. From what they could see, Connors remained silent while Norman spoke, his tone seeming equal parts regretful and admonishing.
After a while, Norman nodded to George, who ordered his officers to take Connors away.
Watching this, Anton suddenly realized the sequence of events. George had delayed taking Connors into custody to allow Norman a private word with him—a privilege only afforded by the influence of wealth and power.
Anton sighed internally, recognizing yet again the profound impact of capital.
With a smile, Norman approached Anton, seemingly in high spirits. "Anton, thank you for your help this time."
"We're friends," Anton replied, with a hint of ambiguity, trusting Norman would understand the weight of that statement.
"Yes, friends indeed," Norman replied, nodding. "But even friends should show their appreciation. Anton, OsCorp will cover all the losses your crew incurred during this incident. And for your current production, I'll have OsCorp's team provide the best resources."
" Also, regarding Harry's investment in your movie—if it fails, you won't need to return the remaining funds. Even if it succeeds, you'll only need to return the principal. I'll personally ensure the profits go to Harry from my funds... though let's keep this between us, as he's genuinely excited about this investment."
"Understood. Your generosity is commendable," Anton replied, smiling.
Despite the unexpected nature of the lizard incident, Anton saw potential rewards beyond the immediate. He checked his system:
[Catch the Lizard: reward 1 million for justice] [Justice Value Balance: 13 million]
Each step forward brought Anton closer to his ultimate goal. He understood that the system calculated the justice value based on the threat level, damage caused, and overall impact of the event.
The lizard, not being a particularly formidable opponent, didn't yield as much reward as past missions, but as Anton often mused, even the smallest gains added up.
Norman's promise also sweetened the deal. With an additional investment of 150 million for the movie, future dividends seemed likely, bringing new development opportunities for DC and the potential for significant profits.
"If you'd like an interview, now's the time," Norman remarked, nodding toward Eddie and Phil. "I might not be available later."
Phil immediately sprang into action, camera ready, while Eddie lingered, his expression a mixture of emotions.
His once-strong grievances with Norman had dissipated after Drake's arrest and Norman's ten-million-dollar settlement check. Eddie had decided to let bygones be bygones, provided Norman didn't cross him again.
Meanwhile, senior OsCorp employees and board members arrived at the scene for an emergency meeting. Anton and his group took their leave, and the New York Police Department left officers behind to secure the area.
George Stacy headed back to the station to begin interrogating Connors, leaving OsCorp to resume normal operations.
"Big news," Phil exclaimed, energized by the excitement of working at the Daily Bugle. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind: the Life Foundation's symbiote incident, witnessing extraterrestrial life, the Kingpin's arrest and the fall of his criminal empire in Hell's Kitchen, and now the lizard incident.
With each story, Phil felt he'd found his calling at The Bugle.
Eddie and Phil returned to the Daily Bugle, eager to produce the report that would undoubtedly drive sales to new highs.
The front page layout, which had probably already been designed, would now be completely reworked to accommodate the breaking news—a classic occurrence in the journalism world.
Anton, however, took a different approach. He parted ways with the two, going home to rest, unbothered by the chaotic buzz of the newsroom.
As a capitalist, he didn't concern himself with the hustle of reporting—especially when OsCorp had agreed to cover the crew's damages.
The consensus among everyone involved was that the lizard incident was concluded. But as night fell, the story took an unexpected turn.
As Connors was being transferred from the police station to a prison facility, a convoy of black SUVs blocked the road, surrounding the police van. In a sudden burst of gunfire, a barrage of bullets struck the vehicle, clearing a path.
A team of masked assailants swiftly incapacitated the officers, confiscated their radios, destroyed their cell phones, and bound their hands and feet. The assailants then took Connors, who sat motionless in his wheelchair, and loaded him into their vehicle.
The officers, now restrained and helpless, were left behind, tied up and unable to call for backup. Shivering, they sat in silence, anxiously awaiting rescue.
Meanwhile, Connors was transported to a secluded manor on the outskirts of New York, where he found himself face-to-face with someone he least expected—Norman Osborn.
The expression on Connors' face flickered with shock, breaking his usual stoic demeanor.
"Connors," Norman greeted him, opening his arms with a triumphant smile. "I told you we'd meet again."
With warmth and what appeared to be genuine enthusiasm, Norman leaned in, embracing Connors. "Your work in limb regeneration is revolutionary. While there may still be side effects, your research on genetic engineering is groundbreaking."
Connors, still stunned, tried to process Norman's sudden reappearance. He had pieced together part of the puzzle, but Norman's intentions were still a mystery.
"Yes," Norman continued watching confusion on Connors face, "I intend to support your research fully—funds, personnel, equipment, anything you need."
Connors' initial shock began to wear off, replaced by a hint of suspicion. "Norman… you mean to say…?"
Norman's gaze grew intense, his tone unwavering. "Yes, I want you to continue your work. But I have a condition. Your research needs to go beyond limb regeneration. I need you to focus on eliminating genetic defects entirely. Find a cure for genetic diseases, Connors. That will be your next objective."
…
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