Chapter 3 Jonah Jameson

"Tony and Anton are at it again!"

"Didn't you hear? They're changing things up this time! Apparently, it's because of that actress Tony's got with him!"

"Making a movie?"

"Sounds interesting!"

"Makes me want to join in! There are so many Hollywood actresses I haven't slept with yet. These two really know how to have fun!"

"Money's not the issue; it's just that Anton actually wants to be a movie director… Is he out of his mind?"

"This is going to be a show worth watching—way more exciting than any movie!"

"They should make a movie about this bet, and slap Tony Stark's name on it. It'd be a box office hit!"

A group of bored, rich heirs eagerly discussed the bet between Anton and Tony.

Compared to that, this extravagant party now seemed dull to them. They only wanted to focus on the juiciest part, savoring it over and over.

"Are they both gone?"

"No, they're still in there."

"They haven't started a fight yet. How are we handling the bets?"

"We'll hold onto them and see how the movie turns out."

"I heard that if Anton loses, he'll be Tony's bag-carrying lackey. Thrilling!"

The group of rich heirs hurried back to the banquet hall, seeing that Tony had already attracted two more beauties.

Anton was the same.

Although he hadn't come with a date, there was no shortage of women around him now.

As a rich kid in New York, Anton was popular, and the girls didn't hesitate to approach him.

Besides, Tony and Anton's bet wasn't just spreading through the elite circles; those who had witnessed it firsthand were also shocked.

Just to prove a point, they each threw in fifty million dollars!

These guys didn't see money as money at all!

"Anton, are you really making a movie?"

A gorgeous, seductive woman clung to Anton, her cheek almost pressed against his chest as her arms wrapped around him. She murmured in his ear, "I think this movie needs a leading actress, doesn't it?"

"Hahaha, you're absolutely right!"

Anton wrapped his arm around her waist without hesitation, smiling. "Beautiful lady, would you like to be my leading actress tonight?"

A night of indulgence.

The next morning, Anton left the hotel feeling refreshed.

Before getting in the car, he casually tossed the woman's contact information into the trash.

Daily Bugle.

Betty stared at Anton in surprise.

She hadn't expected him to show up at the office on time—it was like the sun rising in the west.

"Betty, how long have you worked at the Daily Bugle?"

What surprised her even more was that Anton greeted her with such a question.

"About three years, since I graduated," Betty replied.

Anton nodded. "You've been the old man's assistant all this time, and you know the ins and outs of the Daily Bugle. From now on, you'll take over my duties. I trust you, and so does the old man."

"???"

Betty was utterly bewildered.

"It's settled then." Anton got up, waved a hand, and left the office, saying, "I'll go discuss this with the old man now."

"?"

Betty watched him walk away without looking back, thinking that Anton was probably just tired of the Daily Bugle and wanted a change of pace.

As she expected…

Bam!!

In a high-end New York suburb.

"You brat! Do you think the Daily Bugle is some place you can come and go as you please?!"

Jonah Jameson slammed his hand on the table, his face red with rage.

"Leaving your hard work in Betty's capable hands is a wise decision," Anton said, watching the old man with a hint of surprise. "Before I took over the Daily Bugle, wasn't your plan to train Betty as your successor?"

"Bullshit!"

Jameson shouted, "She's your assistant, and that's all she'll ever be! The editor's chair isn't for some fresh graduate girl to fill!"

Anton replied, "That's sexist. As the owner of a newspaper, you're biased!"

"Sexist, my ass!"

Jameson sneered, "Even if I am, no one would believe it! I'm one of New York's most famous champions of equality. The mayor, senators—they all answer to me! Do you think you can threaten me?"

"I'm not threatening you; I just want you to talk to me properly."

Anton remained unfazed.

Although the old man looked fierce, he didn't feel the slightest bit intimidated.

In his memories, Jonah Jameson was most proud of his son.

That was, Anton's biological father, who'd had a child with his girlfriend at nineteen, resulting in John Jameson.

However, as an astronaut, John spent a quarter of the year in space and the remaining three-quarters training or recovering at the space station. He hadn't been seen in nearly a year.

Anton skimmed his memories, realizing he had a vague impression of this astronaut father.

As for his mother, she'd taken a breakup fee from Jameson after Anton's birth and disappeared, likely living it up somewhere.

The closest person in his life had become this sharp-tongued, soft-hearted old man, who, in the original story, would later have an ongoing grudge with a certain Spider-Kid who hadn't yet appeared.

"In any case, I'm done with the Daily Bugle!"

Anton said firmly, "I'm going to make movies. And to be honest, old man, I've already got my first film idea."

"You?"

Jameson scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Anton, I am absolutely not paying for this! You'd be better off next door in Hollywood shooting an adult film; you might make enough for a night out."

Anton ignored his foul mouth, shrugging nonchalantly. "I don't need your money; I already found a sucker—oops, I mean an investor!"

"Who?"

Jameson was shocked. "Is there really someone that dumb?"

"It makes me happy to hear you say that," Anton laughed heartily. "It's rare for us to agree on something."

"Tell me who it is."

Jameson huffed, "Who would invest in you? I'll make sure to laugh in their face and tell them they're an idiot."

"Tony."

"Your hairstylist?"

"…"

Anton paused. "No, Tony from Stark Industries. The top genius inventor of the 21st century, global arms dealer, ladies' man who's graced magazine covers with models—and the idiot you were just talking about."

"…"

Jameson fell silent.

He opened his mouth, feeling like he'd been out of touch with society since his semi-retirement.

How could Tony Stark, the notoriously reckless yet brilliant guy, get mixed up with his notoriously reckless but not-so-brilliant grandson?

It had to be a case of birds of a feather.

"So, tell me, which actress are you planning to seduce?" Jameson thought he'd figured out Anton's scheme, rubbing his temples.

"You're defaming me for no reason!"

Anton replied righteously, "Old man, I never thought you were this kind of person! I'm prepared to cut ties with you for three months. Don't meddle in my affairs!"

"Should I help you with that decision by freezing your bank account?"

"Fine, I'll reconsider cutting ties with you and let you know tomorrow."

"Seriously, are you really going to make a movie?"

"Of course, I even have the script ready!"

"Let me see it!"

"Uh…"

Anton faltered for a second, then said, "I'll give it to you tomorrow along with my final answer."

Jameson's mouth twitched, finding Anton more unreliable than ever.

With a wave, he signaled his growing impatience, as if to say, Hurry up and get out of my sight.

Anton took the hint and left the room.

As he walked away, Jameson watched his back, opening his mouth but ultimately saying nothing.

In any case, with Tony Stark, the infamous spendthrift, footing the bill, he figured he might as well let Anton do as he pleased.

Jameson was genuinely tired of dealing with his wasteful grandson!

Of course, he resolved to revise his will right away, diverting all the cash meant for Anton into the family trust.

Once I'm gone, you'll be on a fixed income, kid!

Don't expect an extra penny a month!