The uproar sparked by the newspaper was enormous, especially because it involved Spider-Man.
In this world, superheroes were a rarity. For now, and likely far into the future, Spider-Man would remain the one and only costumed hero. His very existence brimmed with controversy, fascination, and endless public curiosity.
This alone was enough to turn the Daily Bugle, originally just a regional paper, into a rising star. As Spider-Man grew more active, the Bugle's circulation soared. It was even showing signs of expanding beyond New York.
All of this success, every surge in profit and reputation, was courtesy of Spider-Man.
And now, Jonah Jameson had decided it was time to build a second valuable persona, a new public figure who could be paired with Spider-Man for sensational effect. He even came up with a slogan for him: Crime's Little Helper.
Thinking about it made Jameson grin uncontrollably.
The next morning, although the Daily Bugle did not feature Spider-Man, its headline was just as explosive. The entire front page was devoted to Nolan Rock, along with the new nickname Jameson had coined.
People's imaginations immediately ran wild.
That night, Peter Parker slipped quietly into Nolan's home.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Rock. I didn't expect things to turn out this way."
Peter was filled with guilt. One moment of recklessness had thrown the generous, supportive Mr. Rock into the storm's center. Rumor had it that reporters had gathered outside Rock Technologies that afternoon, demanding to know Spider-Man's identity.
Nolan shook his head. He didn't mind at all.
"Peter, do you remember what I told you?"
He looked calm, almost relaxed.
"Solving this is simple. You just need to make sure they don't dare behave like this again."
Peter tensed immediately.
"Mr. Rock, what are you planning to do?"
Nolan chuckled when he saw Peter's anxious expression.
"Of course, I'm just going to have a chat with the owner of the Daily Bugle. I believe that the head of Rock Technologies is still worth meeting, at least in his eyes."
Peter exhaled in relief.
For a moment, he truly feared that Nolan might take drastic action. He was grateful to Nolan, deeply so, but he also knew the man well enough to understand that while Nolan was not a villain, he definitely wasn't someone who tolerated being taken advantage of.
The next day, Jonah Jameson reclined in his office chair, puffing contentedly on his cigar. His good mood soured only when someone entered.
"Editor-in-chief, Nolan Rock is here."
"Nolan Rock? Who… oh. Let him in."
Jameson reacted instantly. There was no need to ask why the man had come. Nolan Rock was definitely here to demand the removal of the Crime's Little Helper headline.
A cold sneer crept across Jameson's lips. Not a chance.
Nolan soon stepped into the office.
"Hello. Nolan Rock, CEO of Rock Technologies."
Nolan introduced himself with warmth and politeness. His calm demeanor caught Jameson by surprise, though the editor still replied with his usual arrogance.
"I know who you are, Nolan Rock. The famous Crime's Little Helper."
His voice was sharp, dripping with disdain. That was his persona. Even if he forced himself to play the part, he had to believe it. A man who didn't believe his own words could never write articles that stirred the public.
In Jameson's eyes, Nolan Rock truly was a criminal accomplice. If that were an actual crime, he would happily throw Nolan straight into prison.
He saw himself as justice incarnate.
Nolan's eyelids twitched. For all he had seen in life, he truly could not understand how Jonah Jameson managed to say such things with a straight face.
Nolan turned to the editor who had brought him in.
"Could we speak in private?"
The editor glanced at Jameson. With a dismissive wave, Jameson nodded.
"What, you're going to threaten me? Let me tell you something. This is the Daily Bugle. No one threatens J. Jonah Jameson! Elvis, you can leave. I will speak with him alone."
When Elvis left, Jameson locked eyes with Nolan.
Nolan calmly walked to the window, closed the blinds, and ensured no one could see inside. Then he approached the editor-in-chief.
A strange uneasiness crept into Jameson's chest. For a moment he could not explain why, but he suddenly felt something was wrong.
Nolan spoke first.
"Red Queen, make sure no one is listening."
A burst of static crackled in the air.
"Sir, all electronic devices in the vicinity have been blocked."
The disembodied voice made Jameson's face go pale.
And then Nolan looked him straight in the eyes and said clearly:
"Jonah Jameson, I'm here to threaten you."
The words pierced Jameson like a bullet.
He had been threatened before, but no one had ever walked up to him like this, said it so openly, so casually, so terrifyingly matter-of-fact.
"Damn it! I told you, no one threatens Jonah Jameson!"
His voice rose, loud enough for people outside to hear.
Nolan handed him several photographs.
Jameson took one glance and his expression shifted. His wife. His child. Pictures taken from a distance, clearly without their knowledge.
He immediately tried to tuck the photos away as evidence, but a hand like iron clamped around his wrist. Pain exploded through his arm, sharp enough to bring tears to his eyes.
Cold sweat rolled down his forehead. Only now did he remember that Nolan Rock was not an ordinary man.
"I'm not Spider-Man. This is only a warning. If there's a next time, I won't guarantee their safety."
Nolan did not believe in harming the innocent, but he had always acknowledged that threatening a man's loved ones was the most effective way to make a point.
He paused, then glanced at a nearby craft knife and smiled.
"To help you believe me, I'll give you a little demonstration."
He picked up the knife and drove the blade straight into the back of Jameson's hand.
The pain was instant and brutal. Jameson almost screamed, but Nolan pressed a firm hand over his mouth, silencing him.
"Now, do you believe me?"
Terrified, Jameson nodded repeatedly. Nolan yanked the knife free and slipped it into his pocket.
This world really was simple. As long as you were strong enough, no one dared provoke you.
At least for now, Nolan believed the issue was resolved.
Just as he turned to leave, Jameson suddenly rasped out:
"You know Peter Parker, don't you!"
He stared desperately at Nolan, hoping for an answer.
A faint smile touched Nolan's lips.
"You may continue reporting on Spider-Man."
He left without another word.
The moment Nolan was gone, Jameson finally screamed.
"I have evidence! Damn you, Nolan Rock! I'll put you in prison!"
But after combing through every file, every recording, every security camera in the entire Daily Bugle, he found nothing. Not a trace of Nolan. As if he had never been there at all.
Retaliation?
At that thought, Jonah Jameson crumpled.
And for the first time in a long while, he was truly afraid.