Max Dillon was an ordinary electrical engineer at Osborn Enterprises.
His daily work involved dealing with electrical networks; he was diligent and loved his job, but life was always difficult.
For example, today, he was late for work again because of the crowded subway.
"Dillon, you're late again." A senior engineer wearing glasses bumped into Max.
"Oh, I'm sorry, sir, the subway was just too crowded—"
"Stop. Don't you realize the project has entered a critical phase? The future is coming, and no one wants it to be late."
"Ah, sir, speaking of which, I've uploaded many power grid designs. I wonder what you think..."
"Power grid designs?" The senior engineer stopped and looked at Max. "I've seen them; they're all trash."
"Sir—"
Just as Max wanted to say something more, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the door.
"Osborn Enterprises has reached an important cooperation with the Military. Osborn Enterprises is a thing of the past; the Osborn Group is reborn from the ashes!"
"At only 17 years old, Harry Osborn succeeds the Osborn Group. A second Tony Stark?"
Being on the front page of the news felt wonderful, but facing a crowd of reporters at the company was quite uncomfortable.
"Mr. Harry Osborn, what role did you play in the formation of the Osborn Group?"
"I believe I've only done some minor work; what's important is that my father laid a solid foundation for me. ░▒▓█►─═ ═─◄█▓▒░"
"Mr. Harry Osborn, some people say you are the second Tony Stark. What are your thoughts on this?"
Harry smiled and said nothing.
"Mr. Harry Osborn, why did you choose to transition into a Military-industrial enterprise! Don't you know your actions will kill countless innocent people!"
Harry took a breath and, after a thought, decided to say something.
"In fact, the Osborn Group hasn't transitioned into a Military-industrial enterprise; it has only slightly expanded its business scope. Moreover, the EXO series will be applied more to civil livelihoods, such as underground operations. I suppose a reporter like you wouldn't know how harsh the workers' environment is, right?"
The crowd of reporters was momentarily rendered speechless.
"Tell you what, it must be hard for you all to block the company entrance so early in the morning. I'll reveal a little something: the Osborn Group's next step will be to delve deep into the energy sector. Actually, we started this project long ago, and it's almost ready to bear fruit."
After saying that, without waiting for the reporters' reaction, Harry turned and entered the Osborn Tower.
"Sigh, what a group of annoying people... Good morning, Miss Hurley."
As soon as he entered, a blonde, blue-eyed secretary with a curvaceous figure was waiting for him with a smile. Seeing this, Harry greeted her and playfully teased her—they were old friends, so it wasn't sexual harassment.
"Harry, the Energy Department submitted a new urban power grid design yesterday. You need to look it over."
"Right, I was just about to say that. Call Max Dillon over."
As Harry passed the stairs, he noticed two people frozen, staring straight at him. One of them was holding a large stack of engineering blueprints.
"Is there something, you two?"
"It's nothing!" the employee with glasses said loudly.
"Oh Harry, this man is named Max Dillon. If our company doesn't have a second Max, he should be the one you're looking for," Hurley said from the side.
Hearing this, Harry looked at Max. This was Electro. He had just confirmed yesterday that this person was in the company, and he hadn't expected to run into him today.
Max was a Black man with a somewhat timid expression, looking like the version of Electro from the movie The Amazing Spider-Man. If so, he should be a decent engineer.
Thinking of this, he continued toward the elevator while waving to Max.
"Perfect timing, Max. Come with me."
"Yes! Sir!"
Bang!
Closing the office door, Harry and Max sat down face to face.
"I heard you submitted quite a few power grid designs. Tell me about your thinking."
After Harry finished, Max remained motionless like a wooden statue, as if he were startled.
Seeing no reaction, Harry frowned. He suddenly remembered that the movie version of Max seemed to be an extremely insignificant person who suffered from neglect and unfair treatment in the workplace, even developing some psychological issues.
He wouldn't get the wrong idea about me because of this, would he? Harry felt a chill down his spine, thinking about how Max's fan-to-hater transition toward Spidey in the movie was indeed a bit scary.
"Max," Harry tapped the table, "let's talk business."
"Yes, sir!"
Then Max began to talk incessantly. From the conversation, Harry felt that he was indeed a very imaginative electrical engineer. Harry took his designs and compared them with the Global Power Grid Design Outline rewarded by the system, finding that the two actually had many similarities.
"Not bad... it seems you are indeed a... well, very talented employee."
Max didn't reply. Harry hadn't hidden the Global Power Grid Design; it was projected on the office screen, and Max could see those elegant designs.
"However... I think you should have noticed that compared to the version in my hands, yours still has a few issues."
Harry's words made Max lower his head.
"So, I have some ideas about power grid design here. Take them back and look them over, then give me the next version of the design in a while."
"Okay... wait, Mr. Osborn, hand it directly to you?"
"Yes, directly to me. In fact, my father has already negotiated with the New York City government. The power grid improvement project will start in a while, and I plan to make you the Chief Engineer."
"That's great news... Wait, what? What did you say you want me to be?"
Max jumped up like crazy, and his reaction startled Hurley nearby.
"Sit down." Harry waved his hand. "You'll soon be the Chief Engineer. Although you'll only be the head of the technical side, I still hope you can be more composed. Do you understand what I mean? The Group has high hopes for the power grid project."
"I... I... I... I... thank you! Mr. Osborn!"
Max stuttered so much he couldn't speak, nodding and bowing to Harry over and over again, almost on the verge of crying—no, he was already crying.
Harry sighed. The Electro in the movie wasn't originally a bad person. Having this talent and letting him handle this for the company was just right. He only hoped Max's personality could change a bit so he wouldn't always be so jumpy.
After all, the system had just issued a major mission, and as expected, he would still need Max's assistance.
[Mission: Energy Monopoly]
[Phase One: Establish and Control the New York City Power Grid]
Seeing that "Phase One," Harry knew this mission would be a long one.