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Chapter 125: Scarecrow and Electro
October 19, 2022 Author: Great Demon Spirit
"Osborn Group is honored to announce the completion of the world's first electromagnetic power grid, transforming ancient power stations into a hydroelectric power tower complex. We produce clean, environmentally friendly, and sustainable energy..."
Crane, led by Osborn personnel, toured the world's top biological company, which had been subjected to much criticism and scrutiny. Osborn Group's artificial intelligence, Kali, was playing promotional slogans in the company's main hall.
Listening to Kali's friendly voice, Crane's lips curled into a disdainful sneer. It was the same old routine. Every company did it – bombarding their internal staff with propaganda to foster team cohesion and a sense of honor... boring, but effective. As someone with dual doctorates in chemistry and psychology, he understood these psychological tactics better than anyone, and the more he understood, the more disdainful he became.
The Osborn Group's hall was grand, with elevators ascending and descending on all sides, showcasing the company's vitality. Unlike Stark Industries, which specialized in military industries, Osborn was at the forefront of biological research globally. Their research into genes was the most profound, giving them deep connections with many major organizations and factions.
"Mr. Crane, as you know, the outside world has many misunderstandings about us, but in reality, we..." The staff member spoke eloquently, introducing their company and extolling its virtues.
Crane listened coldly, yet a gentle, approachable smile graced his face.
"Thank you," Crane said with a smile. "Would you allow me to look around on my own? After all, I represent Mr. Tony and need to understand your company from all aspects to then report back. Otherwise, my boss might just beat me to death."
The man immediately showed an understanding and sympathetic expression, sighed, patted Crane's shoulder, gestured for him to proceed, and then left.
Crane casually got himself a glass of water and stood on the second floor, drinking it by himself, intentionally or unintentionally looking down at the people coming and going on the first floor.
"Power Department... why would Tony be interested in this department? Does he want to enter the energy industry to conveniently provide energy for his mechanical warriors?" Crane frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed, raising his cup of water to signal friendliness to passersby.
Someone at Osborn Group was definitely watching him; there was no doubt about that. Tony's expansion was too rapid, provoking resentment from many. If no surprises arose, the closely connected Military would intervene, preventing Osborn Group from cooperating with Tony.
Although Osborn Group was a private enterprise, its status destined it to be subject to attention and restrictions from all sides. They dared not offend the Military, as the Military was a major client, and its influence was incomparable.
After a moment's thought, Crane casually asked an employee and went directly to the seventy-fourth floor, the Power Department. Whatever Tony's plans were, since he asked him to quietly observe the employees of this Power Department, he would just do as instructed. Directly raising the banner of cooperation, who could say no?
Crane stepped into the elevator and told the artificial intelligence, "Go to the seventy-fourth floor." Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a slovenly middle-aged man rushed in, panting, and casually said "Thanks" to Crane, even though Crane had done nothing and had no intention of holding the elevator door open for him.
He was truly a very slovenly middle-aged man; his hair was greasy, as if it hadn't been washed in days, and his face was dark. The large front teeth that occasionally showed had a noticeable gap between them, and his eyes were dull and listless, full of numbness. He wore an old suit.
Crane quietly moved aside – he wasn't looking down on the man's low status, but simply didn't want to be near someone so lacking in spirit, as Crane felt it would influence his own actions.
The middle-aged man told the artificial intelligence, "Go to the seventy-fourth floor," and then stood there silently. After a while, he turned his head, looked at Crane, and asked, "You're not an employee here, are you?"
Crane raised an eyebrow and gently replied, "Of course. How did you know?"
The middle-aged man pointed to Crane's chest: "I remember every employee in our company. Even if you're new, you're not wearing our company ID badge, which doesn't comply with Osborn Company's regulations."
Crane nodded, glancing at the middle-aged man's ID badge, which read: Power Department - Max Dillon.
The screen inside the elevator began playing the day's news as usual, with the artificial intelligence, Kali, reading it aloud for the company's employees. Kali's avatar was that of a blonde beauty, and her voice was sweet and very attractive.
The screen showed news of Tony formally acquiring shares in Wayne Enterprises.
The middle-aged man stared at the image of Tony and Bruce formally signing the contract. For a moment, his entire face lit up with surprise, as if he had become radiant.
"Hey, see this guy?" Max exclaimed, overjoyed, grabbing Crane's collar and shouting. "I saved him! I once saved his life, and he needs me! Of course, he saved me later too!"
"What? You're saying you saved my boss?" Crane was shocked then and there, scrutinizing the man before him. Utterly useless, how could he possibly have saved Tony?
"He's your boss? That's amazing!" Max became completely agitated, gripping Crane tightly and refusing to let go. "It was that night, so many people died, his parents died that day too. I saved him, and then he unleashed his power and saved me! He needs me, and I need him!"
Max spoke incoherently, his words becoming fragmented, overcome with emotion.
"Is he okay, is he okay now? He's in the spotlight now, that's truly wonderful! It's a pity I'm still like this, unnoticed by anyone..." Max's face was flushed with excitement, and his hands began to tremble.
Crane looked at this utterly ordinary middle-aged man, a typical middle-class citizen, in astonishment. How could someone like him be connected to someone like Tony?
Crane's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately feigned surprise: "So it was you! My boss told me about you. I didn't expect it was you who saved him that day!"
"What? He remembers me? He really remembers me?" Max almost fainted. He, this invisible man, ignored by everyone, was actually remembered by someone?
Immediately, Crane used his eloquence to chat with Max, learning the details of the story. Crane was a master of psychology, with a great advantage in controlling people's minds, let alone someone like Max, who seemed to have an extremely low presence.
Several hours later, when Crane left Osborn Group, a strong sense of apprehension flashed in his eyes. After much hesitation, he dialed Tony's number.
On the other end of the phone, Tony, who received the message, was also stunned.
Thanks to readers 140517002031925, Shaniel, 20171206013835989, Xue Lang Yi Hou, Niu Nai Jia Dou Jiang, Xue Lang Mo Zun, Acrrys, Wang Le Na Xie Meng, Du Shu Po Qian MB, Ling Yun · Lan, Sheng Ye Xuan, 121215112727826, Long Cheng Tan Hua, Ou Huang · Bei Zhai, Cao Wen Qi, Mei Yun He Yu, Da Shi Xiong Shi Fu Bei Yao Guai Zhua Zou La, Song Wu Qi, Socles for their tips! Special thanks to reader Grace2005 for multiple tips to this book!
Thank you, everyone!
(end of chapter)
October 19, 2022 Author: Great Demon Spirit
"Osborn Group is honored to announce the completion of the world's first electromagnetic power grid, transforming ancient power stations into a hydroelectric power tower complex. We produce clean, environmentally friendly, and sustainable energy..."
Crane, led by Osborn personnel, toured the world's top biological company, which had been subjected to much criticism and scrutiny. Osborn Group's artificial intelligence, Kali, was playing promotional slogans in the company's main hall.
Listening to Kali's friendly voice, Crane's lips curled into a disdainful sneer. It was the same old routine. Every company did it – bombarding their internal staff with propaganda to foster team cohesion and a sense of honor... boring, but effective. As someone with dual doctorates in chemistry and psychology, he understood these psychological tactics better than anyone, and the more he understood, the more disdainful he became.
The Osborn Group's hall was grand, with elevators ascending and descending on all sides, showcasing the company's vitality. Unlike Stark Industries, which specialized in military industries, Osborn was at the forefront of biological research globally. Their research into genes was the most profound, giving them deep connections with many major organizations and factions.
"Mr. Crane, as you know, the outside world has many misunderstandings about us, but in reality, we..." The staff member spoke eloquently, introducing their company and extolling its virtues.
Crane listened coldly, yet a gentle, approachable smile graced his face.
"Thank you," Crane said with a smile. "Would you allow me to look around on my own? After all, I represent Mr. Tony and need to understand your company from all aspects to then report back. Otherwise, my boss might just beat me to death."
The man immediately showed an understanding and sympathetic expression, sighed, patted Crane's shoulder, gestured for him to proceed, and then left.
Crane casually got himself a glass of water and stood on the second floor, drinking it by himself, intentionally or unintentionally looking down at the people coming and going on the first floor.
"Power Department... why would Tony be interested in this department? Does he want to enter the energy industry to conveniently provide energy for his mechanical warriors?" Crane frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed, raising his cup of water to signal friendliness to passersby.
Someone at Osborn Group was definitely watching him; there was no doubt about that. Tony's expansion was too rapid, provoking resentment from many. If no surprises arose, the closely connected Military would intervene, preventing Osborn Group from cooperating with Tony.
Although Osborn Group was a private enterprise, its status destined it to be subject to attention and restrictions from all sides. They dared not offend the Military, as the Military was a major client, and its influence was incomparable.
After a moment's thought, Crane casually asked an employee and went directly to the seventy-fourth floor, the Power Department. Whatever Tony's plans were, since he asked him to quietly observe the employees of this Power Department, he would just do as instructed. Directly raising the banner of cooperation, who could say no?
Crane stepped into the elevator and told the artificial intelligence, "Go to the seventy-fourth floor." Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a slovenly middle-aged man rushed in, panting, and casually said "Thanks" to Crane, even though Crane had done nothing and had no intention of holding the elevator door open for him.
He was truly a very slovenly middle-aged man; his hair was greasy, as if it hadn't been washed in days, and his face was dark. The large front teeth that occasionally showed had a noticeable gap between them, and his eyes were dull and listless, full of numbness. He wore an old suit.
Crane quietly moved aside – he wasn't looking down on the man's low status, but simply didn't want to be near someone so lacking in spirit, as Crane felt it would influence his own actions.
The middle-aged man told the artificial intelligence, "Go to the seventy-fourth floor," and then stood there silently. After a while, he turned his head, looked at Crane, and asked, "You're not an employee here, are you?"
Crane raised an eyebrow and gently replied, "Of course. How did you know?"
The middle-aged man pointed to Crane's chest: "I remember every employee in our company. Even if you're new, you're not wearing our company ID badge, which doesn't comply with Osborn Company's regulations."
Crane nodded, glancing at the middle-aged man's ID badge, which read: Power Department - Max Dillon.
The screen inside the elevator began playing the day's news as usual, with the artificial intelligence, Kali, reading it aloud for the company's employees. Kali's avatar was that of a blonde beauty, and her voice was sweet and very attractive.
The screen showed news of Tony formally acquiring shares in Wayne Enterprises.
The middle-aged man stared at the image of Tony and Bruce formally signing the contract. For a moment, his entire face lit up with surprise, as if he had become radiant.
"Hey, see this guy?" Max exclaimed, overjoyed, grabbing Crane's collar and shouting. "I saved him! I once saved his life, and he needs me! Of course, he saved me later too!"
"What? You're saying you saved my boss?" Crane was shocked then and there, scrutinizing the man before him. Utterly useless, how could he possibly have saved Tony?
"He's your boss? That's amazing!" Max became completely agitated, gripping Crane tightly and refusing to let go. "It was that night, so many people died, his parents died that day too. I saved him, and then he unleashed his power and saved me! He needs me, and I need him!"
Max spoke incoherently, his words becoming fragmented, overcome with emotion.
"Is he okay, is he okay now? He's in the spotlight now, that's truly wonderful! It's a pity I'm still like this, unnoticed by anyone..." Max's face was flushed with excitement, and his hands began to tremble.
Crane looked at this utterly ordinary middle-aged man, a typical middle-class citizen, in astonishment. How could someone like him be connected to someone like Tony?
Crane's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately feigned surprise: "So it was you! My boss told me about you. I didn't expect it was you who saved him that day!"
"What? He remembers me? He really remembers me?" Max almost fainted. He, this invisible man, ignored by everyone, was actually remembered by someone?
Immediately, Crane used his eloquence to chat with Max, learning the details of the story. Crane was a master of psychology, with a great advantage in controlling people's minds, let alone someone like Max, who seemed to have an extremely low presence.
Several hours later, when Crane left Osborn Group, a strong sense of apprehension flashed in his eyes. After much hesitation, he dialed Tony's number.
On the other end of the phone, Tony, who received the message, was also stunned.
Thanks to readers 140517002031925, Shaniel, 20171206013835989, Xue Lang Yi Hou, Niu Nai Jia Dou Jiang, Xue Lang Mo Zun, Acrrys, Wang Le Na Xie Meng, Du Shu Po Qian MB, Ling Yun · Lan, Sheng Ye Xuan, 121215112727826, Long Cheng Tan Hua, Ou Huang · Bei Zhai, Cao Wen Qi, Mei Yun He Yu, Da Shi Xiong Shi Fu Bei Yao Guai Zhua Zou La, Song Wu Qi, Socles for their tips! Special thanks to reader Grace2005 for multiple tips to this book!
Thank you, everyone!
(end of chapter)