MUP: Chapter 134. Afterwards
"..."
In the distance, the shrill sound of sirens faintly approached.
With such a huge explosion in the centre of New York, it would be strange if the police didn't do anything.
Peter dangled on top of a wall, looking at the roof that had disappeared in the explosion. He removed his torn mask from his head with a somewhat bewildered expression on his face.
The scene where Eddie had pushed him out of danger kept coming back to him.
...
[Reputation points from Green Goblin +4000]
[Reputation points from Peter Parker +1550]
In the antique shop, Ryan silently withdrew his gaze. At the first moment when the explosion enveloped the clone, he lost control of it.
However, Ryan didn't pay much attention to that. The limit on [Eddie Brock]'s use had already been used up, so even without the explosion; he would still look for a reason to make [Eddie Brock] disappear. What's more, being able to gain so many points at the last minute of the card's use was beyond Ryan's original expectations.
In short, it was a good thing.
Lifting his eyes, he looked at the points displayed on the system. The corners of Ryan's lips curled in a dark expression.
...
"How long has it been?"
"It's been over 48 hours."
In Oscorp, Norman's disappearance had already started to affect the company. The company's stocks had been falling, which caused the other shareholders to panic.
"Can anyone contact Mr Osborn?"
"I've called his personal number. I found his phone in his office and a half-completed experimental plan on his desk for an upgrade to the mechanical armour..."
"I don't care what Norman has planned. I just want to know where he went. As a board member of Oscorp, he needs to justify his disappearance while all this is happening." In the conference room, some senior shareholders of Oscorp expressed their dissatisfaction.
"As far as I know, Norman won't suddenly disappear without warning. Something must have happened. Just wait a few days." There were also senior executives close to Norman who expressed a different view.
"Gentlemen." At this moment, Donald Menken, one of the board members, spoke up and broke the news, " I think everyone in this room is somewhat aware that Mr Osborn's health hasn't been particularly good in the last few years. In fact, from what I've been told, in the last year or so, Mr Osborn has brought in his personal doctor to treat him for health problems several times. I've checked with the doctor who was responsible for Mr Osborn's treatment before to make sure of that."
Oscorp executives were unaware of the fact that Norman had already treated his genetic disease by injecting himself with the super soldier serum. So, with the information he had been given, Donald made what he thought was a reasonable judgement, "So, maybe we should assume the worst and maybe Mr Osborn has ..."
Donald's remarks, unsurprisingly, caused an uproar among the Oscorp executives in the room.
With a slight hook at the corner of his lips, Donald was about to continue speaking, but a voice was suddenly sounded from the senior executives.
"Maybe, we should look for Harry."
"Harry Osborn?"
For a moment, the smile on Donald Menken's face froze.
...
"Reduce research funding, why?!"
In Oscorp's bio-lab, hearing the bad news from the higher-ups, Professor Connors's expression changed. He couldn't help but raise his voice and speak with agitation, "My experiments have reached a critical point; the lizard serum has fully proven its usefulness in helping the mice to regrow new limbs. The next stage in testing it is on humans, it's an important step. I just need a little more time ..."
"I'm sorry, Professor, but this is a unanimous decision from the executives." Across the room, the secretary conveyed the instructions he had received with a blank expression, "They believe that the lizard serum is too costly. Oscorp has funded you three times in a row, but you haven't delivered any satisfying results."
"Cross-species testing is a very dangerous experiment. I need more data for the important decision. I can't ..."
"I know, but Oscorp executives don't think so." Opening his mouth to interrupt Professor Connors's explanation, the secretary continued, "The new energy component at Stark Industries has been gaining traction recently, so Oscorp has decided to open a new energy research lab. Dr Otto Octavius, who has made considerable contributions to the research on atomic energy, has been contracted to lead the new energy development experiment. For this reason, Oscorp has to cut research funding for some of the other experiments of the company. And Professor Connors, your cross-species lizard serum is one of them ..."
"I've almost made it, I'm this close to making it."
After briefing him on the decisions made by Oscorp's senior executives, the secretary hastily left the lab, leaving Curt alone, muttering in disbelief.
Turning his gaze, Curt then saw the dark green lizard serum sitting on the lab table.
...
"Maxwell, you need to stay on overtime this evening."
In Oscorp's electrical engineering department, a middle-aged man in a helmet spoke condescendingly to a black man in front of him.
"But I've been working overtime for the department for a week straight, and today should be my day off." Ruffling the thinning hair on his head, an insipid man addressed the supervisor.
"I know, but Maxwell, you were involved in designing the company's electrical plans, so you could easily find out exactly what's wrong with it."
"But, I've made an appointment to get a haircut."
"It's just a day late, it's no problem, Maxwell. Here's the deal, you're in charge of the grid watch tonight." Having said that, the middle-aged man turned straight away, regardless of Maxwell's reaction. He was certain that Maxwell wouldn't have the guts to contradict his orders.
"Aren't you taking it a bit too far?"
On the way back, a colleague from the electrical engineering department couldn't help but speak up.
"What's the problem? He's a weirdo, nobody's going to speak up for him."