‘It seems Norman ’t hold bay longer.’

  Reid sat in his office, looking at the materials brought in by the head security.

  "Thank you for the information, William. While I’m uo offer a raise at this time, please accept this token of my appreciation.”

  Reid pced a bank card oable. William, the head of security, didn’t hesitate and immediately took it. He had no idea how much money was on the card, but given that the incredibly capable CEO in front of him had offered it, he assumed it must be a generous amount.

  William had inally been recruited by Norman. His role had been to work as security while gathering information ihe pany, especially ing Luthor.

  However, things had ged. Norman had repeatedly lost to Reid in their frontations. Now, much of Norman's power in the administrative sector had been taken by Reid.

  William, naturally, had begun to think for himself.

  Normally, someone like him would remairal, avoiding taking sides for fear of being eliminated. But the gap between Norman and Reid was too vast to ignore.

  Norman was a natural born capitalist, a genius and an exceptional leader. Without Luthor, Oscorp Industries would still have flourished.

  But his oppo was Reid, ay with the intelligence of Luthor.

  In terms of administrative ability, Luthor was able to keep Earth advang at a rapid pace for 4,000 years while remaining beloved by the public. He never oepped down from his position as president.

  It wasn’t until the pace of teological development could no longer keep up with the natural cycle of life ah that Luthor, at 4,000 years old, finally passed away.

  In terms of research ability, Luthor, who could prehend the teology of Brainiac with a 12th-level intelled was rated as having a 9th-level intellect by Brainiac, was one of the most brilliant minds in the Marvel Universe.

  The only ones who could surpass him, apart from those omnist and all-powerful beings, were characters like Mr. Fantastic when tapping into his full potential.

  Reid, with such a vast differen capabilities, was an overwhelming for every sense.

  In terms of willpower, even when Luthor ossessed by The Anti-Life Equation, being a pletely rational being simir to a god, he still mao retain his hostility toward Superman through sheer force of will.

  peting against such a well-rounded genius, it was clear to anyone under him who the superior party was. Since Reid was willing to offer an olive branch, they had no qualms about seeking a new master.

  "Thank you, Mr. Luthor. I’ll get back to work now."

  "Go ahead. Security work is crucial. I look forward to your performance."

  Reid smiled as he watched the head of security. Ohe door closed, he picked up the repain and reread it.

  "Norman… you know what you’re doing is underhanded, don’t you? But within Oscorp Industries, there are still people who trust you."

  Reid would definitely expose this, though it might not spread across all of New York.

  It would be more than enough to let the people within Oscorp know that Norman Osborn, desperate for success, was willing to sacrifice the safety of his test subjects for his own ambitions.

  But Otto, as expected, would still choose to trust Norman. All Norman had to do was find an excuse to shift the bme onto him, and Otto would believe it.

  "However, it is because of that trust, the final csh will be that much more intense. Norman, after being chairman for over a year, it’s time for you to step down."

  ……

  Over the following days, rumors spread within the pany that Norman nning to duct human experiments with the new serum, which had failed in animal trials.

  The rumors had no crete evidend Norman of course dehem vehemently. Eveto came to inquire, Norman found a way to brush it off.

  ‘It must be that bastard pulling the strings behind the ses.’

  Knowing that even his trusted agents were uhe other's trol made Norman realize that he couldn't afford to wait any longer. He had to finalize the serum and only through human trials could he truly identify its fws.

  “It’s them. I’ll have them e by tonight. I’ll personally duct the experiment.”

  Now, he had a number of volunteers lined up. Among them was a ese family who had traveled across the o seeking medical treatment.

  They weren’t Ameri citizens, so if anythi wrong, it would be easier for Norman to handle.

  He khat Luthor would be keeping a close eye on him. If anythi wrong, there would be no way to hide it.

  He could only hope that the serum wouldn't cause ahs onjected into the human body. As long as no one died, he'd still be able to maintain trol.

  Meanwhile, the family that had e to New York received an invitation from Oscorp Industries. With anxious hearts, they prepared and arrived at the gates of the Oscorp building.

  Uhe guidance of Norman's trusted aide, they entered his personal boratory.

  At the same time, Otto, who was supposed to have finished his workday, returo the new project boratory.

  When the rumors started cirg within the pany, Otto had approached Norman for an expnation. Norman assured him that it art of Luthor's plot to undermine his reputation and throw him off bance.

  Although Otto was somewhat skeptical—after all, Luthor had never beeype to resort to spreading rumors, he still chose to trust his old friend.

  Oher hand, Otto was willing to believe that his friend Norman was not the type of person to disregard the lives ahs of others, leaving everything to time for answers.

  However, that evening, after returning home, Otto suddenly had houghts.

  Uo shake them, he decided to return to the boratory to make a few notes. He khat if he didn't, he wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully.

  Otto, beiiculous in his research, carefully examihe state of the boratory, fog particurly oher the serum samples that had been produced were intact.

  But upon this iion, he quickly noticed that two eest tubes worth of serum were missing.

  At that moment, the rumors he had pushed aside resurfaced in his mind.

  ‘No... Norman, you wouldn't do this…’

  Frantically, Otto left the boratory, intending to find Norman. But just as he stepped outside, he saw Luthor, quietly leaning against the wall, waiting for him.

  "Luthor? What are you doing here?"

  "What am I doing? A little rexation, as anyone of reason would. There's nothing odd about it.”

  "Rexing?" Otto narrowed his eyes.

  Trusting Norman as he did, he briefly suspected that Luthht have stolen those two test tubes of serum. But the words that followed from Reid shocked him deeply.

  "However, my eai for tonight is watg your dramatic rea. After all, you must already have some idea of what will happen tonight, don't you?"

  Otto's expression ged again after hearing that.

  ‘Yes, why am I even guessing? I could just go directly to Norman’s b.’

  If Norman wasn’t there, then he would have been w for nothing. But if Norman had already started the experiment, he could intervene in time.

  ‘No, I absolutely ot allow Norman to make this mistake.’ thinking this, Otto ran toward Norman's personal boratory.

  **

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