I'm working on Marvel's Spider-Man in American comics.

Chapter 297 The Avengers Invest in Osborn?

"Is there anything the Avengers can do to help you, Mr. Osborn? Let me make it clear beforehand, if you're talking about stopping the Pentagon from retracting the Savage Force program, that's probably not very realistic..."

"Take it back? That's just an excuse to exert pressure."

Norman shook his head, indicating that the so-called pressure was actually insignificant: "If they really intended to take back the Savage Force Project, they wouldn't have acquired Osborn Technologies' shares. What they want to do is control the entire project themselves, swallow up Osborn Technologies' years of research achievements, and even go further and take over my entire company. Damn it, I won't let them succeed in this plan. I must stop them."

Okay, Norman Osborn is still Norman Osborn. He doesn't want to be a major villain, but he also won't sacrifice his own interests. He's happy to help Spider-Man or even the Avengers, but he won't let himself suffer losses.

The core of the whole incident is that the Avengers themselves did not want to see the Savage Force program controlled by the Pentagon. Previous incidents have proven that at least a considerable number of people in the Pentagon have chosen to develop supernatural powers regardless of any cost, life, or loss.

They didn't care about the various illegal human experiments, the associated losses and lives. At least Norman Osborn cared about one thing: if his illegal experiments were exposed, the company's stock would really plummet.

"so……"

"I need the Avengers. If not in the name of the Avengers, then in the name of Stark Industries will do. I will strongly support you in acquiring a stake in Osborn Technologies. I've been keeping an eye on those shareholders whose equity might be acquired by the Pentagon. If Tony Stark can acquire their shares before the Pentagon does..."

Peter was dumbfounded. If you said this matter had nothing to do with superheroes, then it was related to the super soldier project and illegal human experimentation, so there was definitely a connection. But if you said there was a connection... it looked like Norman Osborn had orchestrated this for his own personal gain.

It seems a bit too outrageous no matter how you look at it.

Peter was momentarily stunned, while Norman continued to outlining his grand plans: "If possible, I can use my funds to buy back the shares that Stark acquired at a premium. Even if Stark finds it profitable and doesn't intend to sell, as long as he promises not to interfere in Osborn Technologies' internal affairs, we can negotiate to retain the shares..."

"I...I don't know much about this kind of thing."

Peter said helplessly, then gave a vague response: "How about this, I'll tell the Avengers about this, especially Mr. Stark, he should be able to make a reasonable judgment?"

He really didn't understand this kind of thing, and he really needed to talk to Tony about the specific details. Norman was obviously very confident that his proposal would be approved, and nodded with a smile.

"I'm sorry, there's no new equipment for you right now, Peter." He changed his form of address and gave a kind smile. "Is there anything else you need recently? If you have any technological needs, Osborn Technologies will do its best to meet them..."

“Actually, no, Mr. Osborne. But there is one thing I don’t know if you remember: Dr. Otto Octavia used to work for the Pentagon and escaped from prison after being captured.”

Norman Osborn seemed to be thinking for a moment, but quickly recovered: "Of course I remember. Okay, go back and see the technology expo. I saw you even brought your girlfriend. Have fun."

Peter scratched his head, not explaining Gwen's identity, but then he seemed to remember something and made a somewhat presumptuous request: "Could I show Gwen... or rather, my friend, around Dr. Connors's research?"

A few hours later, when everyone should have been taking the bus back to school and then going home, Peter and Gwen, each holding an internship certificate from Osborn Technologies, entered the experimental area on floors 33-37. Gwen looked at the things inside and was very surprised, saying to Peter, "I thought you weren't going to bring me here, worried that I might get bitten by some kind of modified creature to gain superpowers or something." "Actually, I was quite worried."

"uh-huh?"

That's why I brought you here.

As Peter spoke, he took Gwen on a real "science exhibition." The various creatures on display broadened Gwen's horizons. She saw all sorts of reptiles scurrying around, but what surprised her the most, and even made her shudder, was a lizard kept in a temperature-controlled incubator.

He bit off his own neck, but his head was still able to move. He looked at Gwen on the sand, who was startled. A scientist with a missing arm hurried over and said, "Sorry, it did it again."

"again?"

“Oh, good afternoon, Peter, and this is…” Dr. Connors smiled and shook hands with Peter, then looked at Gwen: “Is she your girlfriend?”

"We haven't officially defined our relationship yet."

Gwen answered the question for Peter, who nodded repeatedly. Only Dr. Connors looked at them strangely, but fortunately, Peter immediately changed the subject, picking up where Gwen left off with the word "again": "You just said 'again,' Dr. Connors, has this self-harming phenomenon been going on for a long time?"

"Yes, these lizards will find themselves different from other lizards. They are almost immortal. If you put them with ordinary lizards, they will kill the ordinary lizards, as if they already know that they are different. They may even identify themselves as another kind of lizard, a special kind of creature."

Dr. Connors then explained the current situation: "And once their population is too small, they will try to reproduce. If their population is 1, then they will try to commit suicide."

"Then...why make it only one?"

Gwen couldn't help but ask. Dr. Connors shrugged and then activated a device in a nearby incubator. Inside, a monkey with lizard scales and a skull structure was baring its teeth and roaring at Gwen, while frantically pounding on the glass window.

“That’s why, son,” Dr. Connors said. “We’re conducting a new round of primate experiments, and the results are far from ideal.”

Peter leaned close to Gwen's ear and began to speak.

"That's why I brought you here."

(End of this chapter)