Chapter 59: Raise Your Hand to VoteThe meeting room fell silent.
It was true that Oscorp's primary business had always been in biotechnology, but that didn't mean people were unwilling to follow a promising investment.
Who in their right mind turns away from profit?
Even Uchiha Akira wouldn't ignore money. After all, could the rise of the Uchiha clan have happened without wealth?
If Akira didn't already know the true power of the Patriot and Ex-Wife missiles—and wasn't intimately familiar with Hammer Industries' actual technical level—even he might've been tempted.
And so, nearly everyone in the room was moved.
Why had Oscorp's stock dropped so dramatically?
Wasn't it because they walked away empty-handed from the last Department of Defense procurement meeting?
If the Super Soldier Serum project had been completed earlier, Oscorp would've soared by now.
"Does anyone still have doubts?" Billy Osborn looked around, inwardly pleased at how convinced the room seemed.
"I object," said a firm voice.
All eyes turned to Norman Osborn.
"Norman," Billy said coolly, "clinging to outdated ideas won't bring Oscorp any practical benefit."
He had been waiting for Norman to counterattack.
"Do you really believe Oscorp has significant weapons technology expertise?" Norman stood up, scanning the room with cold, sharp eyes that made several fence-sitters squirm in their seats.
Yes, at that moment, the board members remembered why Norman Osborn had remained chairman for so long.
His ruthlessness far exceeded Billy Osborn's.
Over the decades, anyone who had challenged Norman had all ended up being quietly forced out.
"To be blunt, Oscorp has no real capability in large-scale weapons manufacturing.
We've always focused on biotechnology. Who here has ever developed a missile?"
"The few experimental weapons we've built were shelved long ago.
And to be honest, we can't even compete with Stark Industries—or even Hammer Industries in this field.
Do you really think jumping industries is that simple?"
"Norman, that's not fair. Oscorp itself started from nothing—" Billy tried to interject.
"Shut up, Billy," Norman snapped.
"I'm not finished. Who said you could interrupt?"
Billy turned red but remained silent, cowed by Norman's longstanding dominance.
"Now then, let's continue."
"Oscorp could pivot its business model—even into the weapons sector.
But—not with Hammer Industries."
"If it were Stark Industries, I'd agree. But Hammer? Give me a break."
Norman's voice rose sharply.
"Hammer Industries is nothing more than a low-end arms manufacturer making cheap weapons for thin margins.
Is that really the kind of company we need to partner with—even if they're more experienced than us in this area?"
"And as for Justin Hammer, you all know exactly what he's worth.
An alliance with Hammer? Ha! That's the funniest thing I've heard all day."
Norman's boisterous laughter echoed throughout the conference room.
Today, he had thrown off all restraint.
"And what happens if Stark Industries retaliates against both Oscorp and Hammer?
You've all heard of Tony Stark, haven't you? The guy's got a reputation for being petty."
Uchiha Akira nodded in agreement.
After Akira had embarrassed Stark once, the man began obsessing over mind-defense technologies—though he'd gone in the wrong direction.
Still, from the later development of the anti-Thor armor and Hulkbuster suit, it was clear Tony held grudges.
As Norman watched the room full of statues and saw Akira nodding, he found the whole thing almost comical.
In just a few sharp words, he had completely unraveled Billy Osborn's plan.
Leaning closer to Harry, Norman whispered,
"This is your second lesson, son.
As we say in Xia Nation: If you strike a snake, aim for the head.
When facing your enemies—be fast, ruthless, and precise. Go straight for the throat."
Harry nodded in admiration.
Today, his father's presence had opened his eyes.
"I've still got a lot to learn…"
"Well then, since there are differing opinions," Billy finally said, "let's put it to a vote.
All in favor of the alliance with Hammer Industries, raise your hand."
Only a few scattered hands went up.
Billy's face darkened.
His plan had clearly failed.
"Since there's still uncertainty," Billy said, trying to save face, "we can table this for now and revisit it later if the timing seems right."
"But now we move to the real purpose of today's board meeting."
"I formally propose that we remove Norman Osborn as chairman of the board, and suspend the Super Soldier Serum project.
If we can't expand revenue, we must at least cut costs."
Billy Osborn was finally showing his true hand.
Never mind everything else—his top priority was toppling Norman Osborn.
"You—!" Harry began to rise, but Norman stopped him.
"Harry, as your uncle, let me teach you something important today:
Business is not child's play.
Your father… is getting old. He's no longer fit for this position."
"Let's put it to a vote. All in favor—raise your hand!"
The second vote was much the same as the first.
Billy Osborn failed again—even he had to admit that Norman's decades of control over Oscorp made such loyalty unsurprising.
"…One more thing," Billy said, his voice sharp.
"Some of you may not know this, but Norman Osborn suffers from a serious hereditary illness.
It runs in his branch of the Osborn family.
Most don't live past their 40s or 50s. His father, grandfather—none of them escaped it."
The room exploded in shock.
"Norman—is that true?"
"That explains why he looks older than me!"
"Billy seems pretty confident… he might not be lying."
"Uncle Billy, I understand you want the chairman's seat," Harry said, standing suddenly.
"But slandering my father like this—do you think I won't respond?"
"Harry, I'm telling the truth," Billy said, completely unbothered.
"Even you carry that same gene.
Here—this is your grandfather's medical report."
Billy confidently produced a stack of documents—evidence he had paid handsomely to acquire from St. Lawrence Hospital.
It was authentic medical data.
On this point, Billy hadn't needed to forge anything.
He was even eager for people to investigate—it would only further confirm Norman's condition.
The only reason he hadn't produced Norman's own records was that the man had never left blood samples at public hospitals.
If Billy had that… it would've been a killing blow.
Still, as everyone skimmed through the genetic test results, murmurs began to spread.
More and more of them…
started to believe it.
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