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And this time, John Jameson didn't disappoint his vast fanbase.
Even before Lizard Dr. Connors released the 'Lizard Virus,' he had already published an urgent news report, claiming that New York was likely to face a new type of terrorist attack, and civilians in New York should stay indoors and avoid exposure to the outside World as much as possible.
Afterward, it was proven that those who chose to trust The Daily Bugle's loyal fans were not affected by the 'Lizard Virus' at all.
On the other hand, those who saw the news but chose to ignore it all became unlucky...
At that time, Gwen was meticulously taking notes on information she had searched for on her laptop—all about the mysterious and powerful organization S.H.I.E.L.D.. Although the information was scarce, it was better than nothing, wasn't it?
However, to her disappointment, she couldn't find any trace of Eddie Brock from these fragmented pieces of information.
But Gwen also knew very well that finding and eliminating her father's killer from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s grasp was not an easy task.
Fortunately, what she had in abundance now was... patience!!
Actually, Gwen had initially intended to use her self-taught hacking skills to try and infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D.'s system.
However, in the actual process, she found that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s security level was ridiculously high, so she decisively abandoned the idea.
Because if she wasn't careful, not only would she fail to find Eddie Brock's whereabouts, but she might also be counter-tracked by S.H.I.E.L.D., thus exposing her true identity prematurely, which would be more trouble than it was worth.
And when Gwen finished her search and opened The Daily Bugle's live stream as usual, she discovered that a large number of lizard monsters had appeared on the streets of New York.
Because she had focused all her energy on investigating clues about S.H.I.E.L.D. and Eddie Brock recently, she hadn't fought for a long time, and her fists were already itching!
So, with the intention of joining the fun, she rushed to Manhattan, where Osborn Tower was located.
Unexpectedly, this small decision unexpectedly saved her friend Peter Parker's life.
"Hiss ah... It hurts so much, I... I understand, I will definitely not do this again next time."
Peter Parker rubbed his head, wincing, then tentatively asked, "Then... will you join The Seven?"
Bang—
Another smack landed on his head.
Gwen snapped, "Hmph, how could I? I don't want to join a team that always likes to put on a show in front of the cameras but commits all sorts of evil deeds behind the scenes!"
However, as soon as the words left her mouth, Gwen suddenly realized that there seemed to be a significant conflict between Vought Corporation and S.H.I.E.L.D..
So, if she could leverage Vought Corporation's abundant resources, perhaps she could find Eddie Brock's whereabouts faster?
A hint of hesitation flashed in Gwen's eyes, but it was instantly replaced by determination.
To avenge her father as soon as possible, she didn't care if Spider-Woman's reputation would be damaged by joining The Seven.
After all, in her heart now, besides revenge... it was still revenge!!
"That puts my mind at ease."
Just as Peter Parker was secretly rejoicing, he heard Gwen's voice again in his ear, "Peter, are you interested in joining The Seven with me?!"
Σ(°△°|||)︴
"Huh???"
Peter Parker immediately looked at his goddess, bewildered, and seeing that she didn't seem to be teasing him, he subconsciously nodded and said,
"Gwen, no matter what decision you make, I will unconditionally stand by your side... So, when do we report to Vought Corporation?!"
After Gwen and Peter Parker left, an ugly figure suddenly and silently materialized in the dark night sky, and looking in the direction Gwen had departed, he excitedly whispered,
"Hehehe, I finally found you, Spider-Woman... As long as I report this news to My Lord, I can get a generous reward!!"
....
....
Meanwhile, on the other side.
At a secluded dock on the outskirts of New York, Aldrich Killian was watching The Daily Bugle's live broadcast from the control room at the top of a quay crane.
"The unrest in Manhattan has finally been quelled. Apparently, someone released a smoky 'antidote' from the sky just now, which successfully neutralized the biological virus that had been rampant in the city with the help of the rain."
"In addition, according to an informed source, the executor of this terrorist attack was Dr. Curt Connors, chief scientist of Osborn Group, but the true mastermind is likely related to the Ten Rings Gang, and the Ten Rings Gang's financial backer may be linked to the well-known company A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics)..."
Aldrich Killian, who had been happily enjoying the news, suddenly changed his expression when he heard the host's last sentence, and exclaimed in shock:
"Damn it, how does The Daily Bugle know so much?"
Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, he roared furiously, "It must be that damned bitch Maya Hansen... Yes, there's no mistake, only she knows so much inside information."
"Bitch, not only did you betray me to inform Tony Stark, but now you even dare to leak information to The Daily Bugle... You'd better pray that I never catch you, or I'll personally skin you alive!!"
However, even with A.I.M. exposed, Aldrich Killian remained completely unfazed.
Because as long as the plan to publicly execute the President succeeded, he could change his identity and "start over" in a matter of minutes.
By then, not only would the outside World not find him, but even Trevor wouldn't find him if he came back... Well, at least that's what he thought!
Moreover, in Aldrich Killian's eyes, both the Ten Rings Gang and A.I.M. were merely expendable pawns.
The current anger was entirely due to Maya Hansen's betrayal.
After all, in the early days of his venture, Maya Hansen's Extremis project had successfully saved his life from near bankruptcy.
So, in Aldrich Killian's eyes, she had always been "one of his own."
This was also why, after he had Dr. Curt Connors replace Maya Hansen as chief researcher, he knew she would surely harbor resentment, yet he didn't directly kill her as he would have others.
But now it seemed Maya Hansen had completely betrayed his trust, so that wretched woman had to pay a heavy price.
Just then, Eric Savin and a few Extremis soldiers brought President Matthew Ellis in from outside. "Boss, everything went smoothly. We brought him back for you."
"Very good."
Aldrich Killian's face regained its previous composure and confidence, and he said with a smile to President Matthew Ellis, "Good evening, Mr. President, welcome!!"
"You... what exactly do you want? How dare you kidnap the President of America? Have you considered the consequences?"
President Matthew Ellis was a mix of shock and anger; he never imagined he would end up like this one day.
It seems being the U.S. President is indeed a high-risk profession!
"Consequences?"
Aldrich Killian looked at him as if he had heard a hilarious joke, with the gaze one would give an idiot, "It seems the lesson at Salem Air Force Base wasn't profound enough, was it?"
"You..."
President Matthew Ellis's eyes widened sharply, and he cried out with a hint of fear, "Are you subordinates of that terrorist Mandarin?"
"Subordinates?!"
Aldrich Killian's smile stiffened considerably when he heard that somewhat jarring word. He stepped forward, grabbed the President's collar, and said fiercely,
"Do I look like the kind of lackey who's willing to work for others? Let me tell you... I am the true boss behind the Ten Rings Gang!!"
As if realizing he was losing his composure, Aldrich Killian slightly adjusted his emotions, then, still clutching President Matthew Ellis's collar, he walked out of the control room and pointed at a discarded oil tanker docked below, saying,
"Mr. President, I'm sure you still remember this ship, don't you?"
"..."
President Matthew Ellis looked down with a puzzled expression and quickly recognized the company it belonged to from the huge logo on the hull.
"This is a Roxxon Oil Corporation oil tanker? How is it here?"
Aldrich Killian said triumphantly, "I prepared this especially for you long ago... I'm sure you also remember that this oil tanker once leaked nearly 100 million gallons of crude oil in Pensacola, northwest Florida, right?"
"At that time, thanks to your judicial intervention, no one from Roxxon Oil Corporation was ever brought to court for it."
"Wait a moment."
President Matthew Ellis seemed to realize something, and with a panicked expression, he interrupted, "You... what exactly do you want to do?"
Aldrich Killian was very pleased with the expression on the other party's face, and said lightly:
"Oh, Mr. President, don't be so nervous. Actually, I don't want to do anything... I just want a reason that looks somewhat pretty, and then publicly execute you on television in a grand manner!!"
Then, before President Matthew Ellis could speak, he raised a finger to his lips and continued,
"Shh, I know what you're going to say, but unfortunately, no one will truly avenge you... Because after tonight, America will be mine to command!"
"Don't look at me with such a surprised gaze... Yes, you guessed it right. To ensure the plan succeeds, I deliberately cultivated a political backer among the high-ranking officials. By this time tomorrow, he will successfully take over the presidency due to your death."
"By then, I will hold the most powerful leader in the Western World in one hand, and control the most feared terrorist in the entire World with the other!!"
President Matthew Ellis looked incredulous, his voice trembling as he said, "Wait, are you saying... Rodriguez is one of your people?!"
"You know what? I actually prepared a female companion to be buried with you, but because of some unexpected incidents, you'll have to appear alone this time!"
Aldrich Killian did not answer the other party's question, but shook his head with some regret. Apparently, the female companion he spoke of was Pepper Potts.
He had originally planned to capture her as a "trophy" for revenge against Tony Stark, but Maya Hansen's betrayal forced him to abandon that idea.
Although somewhat regretful, Aldrich Killian was not troubled.
Because once Vice President Rodriguez, whom he had supported, took office, he would have plenty of time to cause trouble for Tony Stark.
So he directly ordered his subordinates, "Hang Mr. President above the oil storage tank of that tanker. After the preparations are complete, we'll proceed with the live execution... a Viking-style cremation, with oil!!"
"Also, get everyone ready. Someone might try to interfere midway."
"Yes."
Eric Savin nodded to two Extremis soldiers, who immediately pushed President Matthew Ellis outside. "Madman, you madman will never have a good end..."
President Matthew Ellis let out a series of screams and curses, but to Aldrich Killian's ears, they sounded more like the final, impotent barks of a dying man.
A few minutes later.
Television signals across the entire East Coast, including New York, were once again hijacked by the Ten Rings Gang, and Mandarin, simulated using AI technology, spoke to the camera:
"Americans, we meet again. Today is the day for the final lesson. I am about to give you your last lesson..."
The scene shifted with Mandarin's pause, revealing President Matthew Ellis's figure, suspended above the oil tanker by two iron chains.
The camera zoomed closer and closer, directly focusing on Matthew Ellis's face, which was full of terror, giving a close-up facial shot, as if afraid that people wouldn't recognize his identity.
At this moment, Mandarin's voice, like a voice-over, resonated again, "I believe everyone is familiar with this man, aren't they... That's right, his name is Matthew Ellis, and he is your President of America."
"I have said before that anyone I set my sights on, no matter where they flee, no one can save them. President Ellis is the best example..."
"I know, perhaps he seems like a good President who has accomplished something, but in fact, he carries many unforgivable sins!!"