"Ms. Bishop, a pleasure to meet you. I am very sorry for what happened to you."
"Thank you, Mr. Osborn."
Eleanor Bishop, wife of the late publishing tycoon Derek Bishop.
"This is my daughter. The Doctor said she needs time to recover, so I thought it best to bring her with me."
As for their daughter, Kate Bishop, she was supposed to be the next Hawkeye—though that's hard to say now.
After all, a Hawkeye is really not as useful to Harry as a publishing industry tycoon.
Little Kate stood beside her mother, looking like she hadn't yet recovered from the attack.
It also wasn't impossible that this lady hoped to use the child to elicit sympathy.
"Please, sit down, Ms."
This time, Bishop was here to ask for help.
In the original story, Derek Bishop owed Kingpin quite a bit of money. He died directly during the Battle of New York, and the company went into a slump. Eleanor had to work for Kingpin, switching from a publishing tycoon to handling private security.
Then, many years later, with the help of Hawkeye Clint, the grown-up Kate Bishop turned her mother in, getting her sent to jail.
Now, however, in his quest for success, Kingpin's task had become making trouble for Osborn. Clearly, he didn't do a good job of it, and since Osborn had no intention of cooperating with HYDRA, his grave grass was already several meters high.
The topic Eleanor and Harry were discussing was simple enough; it was nothing more than a matter of money.
Harry was more than happy to turn enemies into friends, and Eleanor wasn't exactly a troublemaker; she was easy to control.
"I have already been informed of the current situation by my assistant, and Osborn is willing to provide help."
As for lending money, Harry was already prepared.
After the Battle of New York, Osborn had acquired some well-run banks that were facing bankruptcy, and was currently restructuring them into Osborn Banker.
After driving away those complicated shareholders, Harry had long wanted to get a foot in the financial sector.
So now, the Bishop family's creditor had become Osborn.
"Osborn is willing to extend a loan to your side, and we can also be a bit more lenient on some debt issues." Harry's expression was relaxed. The publishing industry was also very important; humanity always held books in high regard.
At least for now. Even if things changed in the future, they could switch to new media under Harry's direction.
Eleanor's expression improved significantly upon hearing this, but she didn't reply—Osborn hadn't stated his conditions yet.
Harry just kept looking at her with a friendly smile.
Could the conditions be in the agreement?
Eleanor picked up the agreement and read it over and over. But based on her experience, the agreement was completely normal. The loan amount was normal, and the interest rate was normal—it could even be described as a low-interest loan.
The additional condition—Osborn would hold a controlling stake in Bishop Publishing Company. However, this was something Eleanor herself had proposed, selling the shares to Osborn; to some extent, it was still a win for Bishop.
So where was the trap?
Looking at herself, Eleanor shook her head, then she looked at Kate on the side, and then stared blankly at Harry.
At this moment, Hurley walked in. Harry took the documents, and the two seemed to whisper something. It looked like this Mr. Osborn and his assistant were very close.
Hurley had a very tall figure and carried herself with grace.
So where exactly was the trap?
Harry noticed Eleanor's gaze and wondered if he should symbolically ask for something.
At this, little Kate spoke up: "My father said that the technology in Osborn's hands is dangerous and can monitor all of us. You must not have good intentions."
Harry shrugged. He hadn't expected that this publishing tycoon really thought that way—even though he himself was one of the people who controlled public opinion.
But then again, that was the most powerful thing about public opinion.
Eleanor panicked instantly: "Shh!" Covering Kate's mouth, Eleanor looked at Harry nervously, "Mr. Osborn, she..."
Harry patted little Kate on the head: "Kate, right? Your father was a, um, far-sighted man, but clearly, he was blinded."
"Someone told him: Osborn would do this, Osborn would do that. But you've seen it—the technology in our hands has saved many people."
Harry rubbed his own eyes.
"Polish your eyes, little Kate."
Kate followed Harry's example and rubbed her eyes, saying: "Like Hawkeye? He has very good eyes."
Harry smiled and didn't answer little Kate's question.
"Anyway, Ms. Bishop, that's the agreement. I do have a few ideas, though; we could properly publicize what happened this time."
The most powerful thing about public opinion is that it defines justice and rationality, or other things—faith, religion, ideals, or whatever. These things can become an incentive.
Incentivizing people to become the better version of themselves they imagine, and to do better.
Take Derek, for example. In a sense, he was a good man.
He really believed what those agents said, what those friends said: Osborn was controlling them, and that it was harmful to everyone.
So he put all his energy into it, hoping only to let people see the "threat." In fact, he did very well—as an "anti-Osborn pioneer."
People would believe his words because it did make sense, especially in a peaceful environment where people would view these things rationally.
But if the environment changed—if the background became: If not for their obstruction, ctOS could have prevented more people from dying.
Then he would become a fool and a villain who wouldn't listen to advice and harmed others, especially when his business and family also changed their stance and admitted to this viewpoint.
Perhaps this matter could even become an anecdote for Osborn fans to refute others.
Alien invasions are things everyone knows about and cannot be fabricated at will; they are rare. Harry wanted to use this matter to extend Osborn's reach to as many places as possible.
Eleanor was a weak woman, but Kate was not. Using "facts" to encourage her to promote Osborn was excellent.
With Osborn's help, Bishop Publishing Company was able to be preserved. With this connection to Harry, more people would naturally believe and buy into the superhero relationships they recorded and published.
Bishop would sing Osborn's praises while growing bigger and bigger.
Soon, the market would be full of legends about heroes, and stories about how civilians became great under ctOS and Osborn's products.
All old concepts of the past would be replaced by new concepts in the new era.
So much business was more than enough for Bishop Company to get through the difficult period. Eleanor's face was full of disbelief—could Osborn actually be this good?
Harry continued to maintain his professional smile and said: "Regardless, I am now a director of Bishop Company; I wouldn't let an industry under me fail to survive, would I?"
"The attack changed everything. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."
Eleanor was extremely grateful that Osborn could give her this opportunity.
If not for Osborn, she would have to sell off various assets—even if she sold them, it was entirely possible she still wouldn't be able to pay back that money. After all, Manhattan real estate was still in a downturn. Even if it might rise again in the future, Bishop Company would be long gone by then.
"Then let's stop here for today. Goodbye, Ms. Bishop. Remember to follow the news. And Kate, it was nice to meet you."
Before leaving, Kate suddenly said: "That person who saved me, will he get better?"
Harry smiled. "As for that question, Osborn has always been happy to help. He will stand up again."
Alex had already signed an agreement, which would not only allow him to stand up but also make him better.
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