After a long and exhausting back-and-forth, Nick Fury finally left Lock Technology with a storm darkening his face.
Even as he stepped into the car, he kept glaring at the building as if he wanted to burn a hole straight through it.
He swore that this cursed place was one he never wanted to set foot in again.
The moment he thought about the negotiation that had just ended, he felt his heart clench like someone was wringing it out.
He came here perfectly fine.
He left more than six hundred billion dollars poorer.
Because of the three Helicarriers, S.H.I.E.L.D. had already taken massive financial damage.
Now another six hundred billion was gone because of compensation.
Even an organization as wealthy as S.H.I.E.L.D. could not withstand this level of bleeding.
And this was only the beginning.
With S.H.I.E.L.D. crippled, they would need more money than ever. Recruiting new agents, rebuilding facilities, updating weapons and equipment, every single one of these things ate money like a starving beast.
What made it worse was that even though Alexander Pierce was clearly the main culprit behind the disaster, Fury knew he would not be able to avoid the backlash either.
Even if he kept his position, Fury doubted how much budget he would get next year.
The man who had always been so certain of himself suddenly felt his world dim.
How had such a promising situation turned into this disaster?
Compared to Nick Fury's misery, Nolan could not have been in a better mood.
Six hundred billion, earned in a single morning.
Even if the wind blew money into his hands, it wouldn't happen this fast.
Fury was practically his lucky star.
It was a pity he would probably never get a chance like this again.
Now sitting on more than a trillion in assets, Nolan planned to use only a fraction to maintain Lock Technology. Most of it, he could convert into technology points, strengthening himself further.
He already had more than four hundred billion tech points saved up from the Spider-Man world, and now this universe was giving him even more.
A great spaceship and a powerful trump card were within reach.
Of course, funds would take time to actually arrive.
Nolan stared at the system with greedy anticipation, then forced himself to focus on reality again.
He needed to deal with those politicians next.
A few days later, Nolan attended the first official hearing regarding the dispute surrounding Lock Technology.
Because he personally showed up, the presiding judge was immediately replaced. Negotiating with Nolan Lock was notoriously difficult.
They all knew they could not truly restrict Lock Technology. They only wanted to take this opportunity to give Nolan trouble.
But when Nolan, who was never supposed to appear here in person, walked into the courtroom, everything changed.
Everyone understood that if they mishandled this hearing, Nolan Lock would make sure they paid for it.
Nolan sat beside Matt, letting the lawyer handle the speaking.
Despite Matt balancing lawyer work and his… extracurricular activities as Daredevil, he really was an exceptional attorney.
His heightened senses were not his only strength. His intelligence was just as sharp.
He had never handled major corporate disputes before joining Lock Technology, but after several years of experience, he was more than capable now.
His arguments were clean and precise.
"Defense counsel, watch your wording."
The presiding judge tapped the gavel.
"My apologies. The plaintiff's unreasonable accusations made me a little emotional."
Matt bowed slightly, then continued delivering his argument with clear logic and solid reasoning.
He said everything he needed to say, just phrased differently from before.
Finally, the plaintiff's attorney stood.
"Regarding the severe damage Lock Technology caused to a governmental department, what explanation do you have? Even if Nolan Lock understood his mistakes and attempted to redeem himself, it does not change the outcome. The losses suffered by the department are immeasurable."
Matt immediately rose to respond, fully prepared.
But Nolan placed a hand on his shoulder.
He did not look at the opposing lawyer.
He looked straight at the judge.
"The incident with S.H.I.E.L.D. was never about redemption. I hope you understand that clearly."
Then he turned to the jury.
"As everyone knows, I disappeared for six months. I was taken off this planet because an alien incursion threatened Earth, and I chose to confront it instead of ignoring it.
But when I returned, the company I founded and owned became someone else's property.
They produced so-called evidence, but I refuse to understand what kind of evidence lets people seize a man's company while he is not even present to defend himself."
His voice grew louder, the pressure in the courtroom rising with every word.
His eyes burned with an anger he no longer tried to restrain.
"There is no such law.
So I can only assume this was about power.
About your fear.
Your fear of what someone like me represents.
You believed that because I am a hero because I saved people, I would swallow the injustice, tolerate the humiliation, and stay quiet because good men are supposed to endure everything."
His voice suddenly exploded through the courtroom.
"But good men are not meant to suffer in silence.
I saved the world so people could live better lives, not so I could be treated like this.
I have done everything I can for this world. The CareBot units were sold nearly at cost. The NS-series androids as well. Those machines have brought happiness to countless families.
My conscience is clear."
His words sent ripples through the jury.
They were ordinary people from all walks of life. They did not care about politics. They only cared about right and wrong.
And they had all benefited from Nolan's inventions.
Why was a man like this standing in the defendant's seat?
Voices rose throughout the courtroom.
"Order! Order!"
The judge slammed the gavel, but it had no effect.
Anger had already spread among the jury.
The judges exchanged nervous looks. Was this going to turn into a riot?
At that moment, Nolan lifted his hand.
The room fell silent instantly.
"You want to know why I'm here?" Nolan asked quietly.
"I only want one answer."
He looked directly at the presiding judge and spoke calmly.
"Your Honor, I want you to explain why I am standing at the defendant's table and why Lock Technology was taken from me.
If you cannot give a proper explanation, then I am forced to suspect that the people who issued this ruling may be connected to the terrorists involved.
Or is this simply how the system works?
If I were not Nolan Lock, would I ever have the chance to stand here and demand justice? How many others, out there in the shadows, never get that chance?"
His questions crashed through the courtroom like thunder.
Every judge turned pale.
Things had just taken a very dangerous turn.
…
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