Chapter 71: Preparing for Action
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"So, I'm just the delivery guy now?" Frank asked, exasperated.
"Hey, buddy, this is a covert mission. I could only trust you," Link said, patting Frank on the shoulder. "Let's get the stuff home, then drinks are on me."
"Alright," Frank sighed, realizing that Link's trust was no small thing. He didn't bother asking what they were carrying; after all, Link was a secret agent, and handling mysterious things suited his job.
Back at Link's home, they dropped the boxes off in the study. Once everything was in place, Link came out with a good bottle of liquor.
The two men climbed up to the rooftop, settled into lounge chairs, and lit cigars. As they drank, they chatted about Frank's current life. Link took this opportunity to offer some subtle therapy for Frank's trauma.
After Frank left, Link began reviewing Richard Parker's research. The documentation was thorough and complete, providing all the details necessary for Link to understand the work.
However, treating Norman Osborn would require cultivating new spiders, which would take time. Link needed Osborn's blood soon, but he was in no rush. He was working on a plan to cure Osborn without giving him any new powers—powers that would be hard to control and force Link to expose his own abilities, something he preferred to avoid.
The best outcome would be to cure Osborn of his genetic disease and leave him as an ordinary person.
With Richard Parker's research, Link was confident in crafting a new treatment plan. But without a lab, he'd have to rent one. After some online research, he found that renting lab space from a university would be his best option. Private or corporate labs were often tied up with their own projects, but universities had more flexible space available for rent.
He contacted a New York university that could provide lab materials and test subjects, like lab mice. Link could work there during the day, but had to leave at night to prevent potential data theft from other projects.
Link didn't mind this arrangement. He only needed the lab to run some tests, and money was no object for him now.
He dove deep into the experiments, working with patients from hospitals who had genetic diseases, extracting their genes for research. In just a month, Link had a new treatment plan ready.
By now, Link had fully realized how incredible his super brain was. It would be a waste not to make full use of it, and he intended to.
...
"Frank, you're coming with me today!" Link called, arriving at the parking garage around nine in the morning with Jessica by his side.
"Oh, so now I'm getting paid as a delivery guy too?" Frank chuckled.
"Alright, no more bodyguard pay today. I'll pay you for the moving job instead, deal?" Link joked back.
"Never mind, forget I said anything." Frank gave a sheepish grin and hopped into Link's car.
Jessica and McCall had already left in the Rolls-Royce for work, and now it was Link and Frank's turn to get moving.
"Stick with me for the next few days. We're tailing someone," Link said. "Norman Osborn."
"Huh?" Frank was caught off guard. "Is this a secret agent mission?"
"No, this is personal. I'm planning to take over Osborn Industries, and it starts with Norman Osborn."
Frank stared at Link, confused. "Are you going to kidnap him?"
Link rolled his eyes. "The Osborn family has a genetic disease. I've already found a way to cure it, tested it on several patients. It's a rare condition with no current cure, but my method works."
"Now that makes sense," Frank nodded. "That could actually work."
"Of course, there are strings attached," Link continued. "Osborn Industries is struggling, and Norman's position as CEO isn't stable."
"I plan to propose a deal with him: orchestrate a drop in the company's stock price. I've heard the military might cancel their contracts with them soon."
"Osborn Industries is riddled with problems, so bringing their stock down will be easy. I'll short the stock, buy it up when it's low, and take over."
"My goal is to own over 51% of the company, while Norman Osborn continues to serve as CEO."
"Why are you so interested in making money? Why stay a secret agent?" Frank asked, genuinely curious.
"Who said I care about the money?" Link replied smoothly, driving carefully. "It's not about money; it's about status."
"Look at Tony Stark. Everyone wants his Iron Man suit, but who dares to take it?"
"Not even a government can touch him. That's the kind of status I want. Osborn Industries' diversified investments are perfect for me."
"If the company's value surpasses 200 billion, I'll have the same kind of leverage Stark has. Got it?"
"Oh," Frank finally understood. Link wasn't chasing wealth—he was after power and status.
This way, he could live on his own terms and avoid government control. Frank could sense that Link had his secrets, though what they were remained unclear.
One thing was certain: Link's rise had been too fast to be purely natural, especially considering his avoidance of hands-on industry work, focusing instead on financial schemes.
His timely investment in Stark Industries was the real game-changer.
"Got it. So, what's the plan?" Frank asked.
"We'll keep an eye on him, observe his security, and then break into the Osborn estate at night," Link revealed. "I need to secretly obtain a sample of his DNA."
"At the same time, I'll negotiate with him, ensuring he doesn't back out. I'll offer to treat his son first, rather than him."
"The genetic disease in the Osborn family is hereditary, so his son has it too."
Frank nodded. "That's easy. We can get in tomorrow night."
They finalized the plan, then headed to the Osborn Industries building to observe from a distance. Norman Osborn was a workaholic, always racing against time, especially after Richard Parker's disappearance.
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