Corrupt from the Top

"I swear, every single step was done according to the regulations—I've been working over 380 hours a month! There's no way I'd make a mistake—you can check the surveillance!"

"We're researching gene therapy for cancer, working with highly dangerous biochemical substances. Even if I'm exhausted, why would I risk my own life?"

"Why do you think I'm willing to work overtime?"

"He called our results garbage, and then his son published the paper the very next day."

"Report him? How? My supervisor told me my work was trash and threw it in the garbage right in front of me. It was never submitted, so who would believe me?"

"And then… then it was graduation season again. If I can't graduate, I'll have to stay in school, and if I stay in school, I can't get a job. You know how much student debt I have?"

"I desperately want to graduate, get a job, and pay off those loans! But I can't graduate!"

"Damn it! He won't let me graduate!"

As he spoke, the survivor began to cry, filled with regret.

If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have pursued a PhD—at least not under Ethan's mentorship.

Listening to his story from the hallway downstairs, Leo couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

Just to get a degree, you need resilience on par with being a corporate grunt in Night City.

Is it tragic? Absolutely. Leo felt sorry for him, but honestly, with his late-stage pancreatic cancer already metastasized, there wasn't much hope for him.

The survivor cried as he begged Peter for justice, welcoming the media Martin had brought with no resistance, openly condemning Professor Ethan for exploiting them.

Ssst.

A soft sound of web-shooting echoed, and Gwen landed on a tree branch.

"How did you get my number?"

Gwen sounded alarmed—Leo had called her directly on her phone, Gwen Stacy's phone.

"Information technology—your device is full of security holes. You should get a professional to upgrade it."

"I don't have the money for that, rich businessman."

"I was referring to your classmates—can you find evidence of Osborn Corp's involvement?"

"I'm not sure... This is surveillance footage from the night near the lab. It's been restored a bit, and you can see a few people in black appear."

"How did they capture the genetically modified lizard?"

"The footage doesn't show that, but I think they just ran into it by chance. At 8:20 p.m., they left Lab 3 for the first time.

"They returned at 8:45, looking hurried, and carrying a black briefcase."

"If you want solid evidence, you'll probably have to break into Osborn Tower for it—there's no way I can get into their lab."

"So you reached out to me just to check on progress?"

"No, it's something else—there's unknown surveillance software on the NYPD's devices. Someone's monitoring the case, but more likely, they've been spying on the police for a while now.

"They might already be watching this case, and things could get messy."

Gwen became even more alarmed—

She wasn't even of legal age yet, only a few months away from adulthood, and hadn't been mutated for long.

If you told her there were bad cops at the NYPD, she'd nod in agreement. But if you told her exactly how bad, she'd be scared.

Especially since her dad worked at the NYPD.

Leo took out a USB drive from his pocket, attached to a keychain.

"Hacking tool. It can grant you system control, unlock doors, steal data, overwrite software, and leave backdoors.

"Use it as needed."

"You do realize that 'illegal evidence collection' includes the word 'illegal,' right?"

"I know. It's just for emergencies, not for you to barge in right now. There's a button on the USB, press it."

Leo tossed the USB keychain, and Gwen caught it with her web. She pressed the button on the side of the USB.

A few tiny probes popped out from the USB port, with small arcs of electricity crackling on them, occasionally producing a sizzling sound.

Leo explained, "Once you press the button, the hidden backup power supply in the USB will activate. As long as you find a power-connected system port, you can hack into it using the USB. I'm talking about any powered interface."

"It's experimental tech, still needs improvement. Try to maintain a stable connection when using it."

"Uh, don't movie hackers use small, all-in-one devices? Can't I use one of those?"

"No, for security reasons, each module has its own safety lock. Unless you're hacking a supercomputer, no one will detect traces of the hack."

Not just in the Marvel world—powerful countries have surveillance programs for their citizens' information.

But here in America, it's different—there may be more than one group listening in on the public, and they're quite skilled at it.

To be on the safe side, Leo had inserted complex security settings into the program, capable of countering most anti-intrusion systems.

There were only three situations in which the hack could be detected: first, if Gwen plugged the USB into the system in front of someone.

Second, if the target system had a high-level, active AI that noticed the intrusion, like Jarvis.

Third, if she plugged the USB into Ultron or Zola's mainframe—in that case, it wouldn't be just a matter of leaving traces.

"Got it." Gwen hung the USB keychain around her waist. "Uh, I'd better get a separate pouch for this thing."

"With skills like yours, why not just hack into Osborn Corp from the internet?"

"Confidential information isn't connected to the internet—it's basic common sense. Anyway, stay alert. I have a feeling something's going to happen."

Gwen hung upside down from her web, pretending to complain,

"Sigh—being a masked hero is exhausting. Not only do I have to keep an eye on shady businessmen, I also have to watch out for the behind-the-scenes puppet masters spying on government agencies, all while still trying to finish college."

"Why not just have Professor Connors give you a special recommendation? Peter's spot is vacant anyway.

"Besides, we're about to present evidence for Ethan's trial—you can just report to the lab directly."

"Why does it sound like I'm being bossed around? Fine, I'll report to the lab tomorrow."

Watching Gwen swing away into the air, Leo muttered to himself, "You don't even appreciate working alongside your little boyfriend..."

In the park, nurses were assisting patients with their rehabilitation walks. They seemed to be using some advanced mechanical prosthetics on their legs—

Of course, they were only advanced in the current Marvel universe.

Elsewhere, George, along with some police officers, arrived at Ethan's house:

"Mr. Ethan, I'm here to inform you that the prosecutor's office has submitted new evidence to the court, proving that your exploitation of students led to a biosecurity incident. Get ready for trial.

"Oh, and you have the right to remain silent, but anything you say can and will be used against you in court.

"But I strongly advise you to turn yourself in and provide relevant information. If you cooperate, we might even put in a good word for you with the judge."

George presented the arrest warrant, then took out a pair of handcuffs, shaking them slightly in front of the American elite.

"If I cuff you, that'll reduce the leniency for turning yourself in."

Ethan said nothing, his face turning a deep shade of liver-red, watching as the handcuffs slowly approached—

What should he do?

His mind raced with thoughts of his little villa, his "hard work" expanding NYU's oncology department, his bank accounts, stocks, and options.

Too many things he couldn't bear to lose—

Then he remembered what Norman Osborn had told him: handle it yourself.

"I… I told you it has nothing to do with me! I didn't give them cancer!"

"Save it. Osborn Corp is also willing to cooperate with us to reconstruct the case. Get ready for jail."

Just as the handcuffs were about to click into place, Ethan suddenly shouted in a frenzy:

"Screw Osborn Corp! They made me do it! It was all them!"

George allowed a faint, almost imperceptible fox-like smile to creep across his face—

At the same time, his phone flashed briefly.