Marvel: A Lazy-Ass Superman Chapter 655: The Big Fish Takes the Bait

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"Don't bring tigers out onto public streets!"

The brat shouted what sounded like a perfectly reasonable slogan while hurling several water balloons in rapid succession.

It was as though he had climbed onto the moral high ground and was condemning people for violating public rules.

In reality, ever since Henry had adopted the habit of calling the police whenever trouble arose, the people deliberately targeting him had become somewhat smarter.

Instead of provoking conflicts for no reason, they now looked for excuses that appeared legitimate on the surface.

There was a practical benefit to that approach.

If they got caught, the resulting community service sentences would be shorter.

These insignificant little pawns might be disposable toilet paper in the eyes of the powerful, but they still understood the value of self-preservation.

Nobody was truly stupid.

No one willingly charged headfirst toward social ruin after learning the consequences.

Using his umbrella, Henry blocked the incoming water balloons.

The brat most dedicated to causing trouble had already disappeared.

He was nowhere to be seen.

Previously, the kid would retreat only a short distance away and continue spying from afar, waiting for another opportunity to provoke them.

Unfortunately for him, a Kryptonian's detection abilities weren't something to take lightly.

Even with his vision-based powers currently unavailable, Henry still possessed super-hearing.

If the brat remained nearby, Henry would call the police.

Then, when officers approached, he would intentionally create openings and tempt the kid into reappearing.

Several times, the child had been "coincidentally" caught by police as a result.

Apparently, he'd finally learned his lesson.

Now, after causing trouble, he fled as far away as possible instead of lingering nearby.

Although she hadn't actually been frightened or harmed, Katharine Hepburn looked somewhat dejected as she sat down on a park bench and gently rubbed Katie's innocent tiger head.

"Good Katie."

She sighed.

"You're such a sweet big kitty. Why does everyone dislike you so much?

"It's not your fault.

"Those people are the problem."

There was no questioning the old woman's bias and affection.

The thought of leaving Katie at home had never crossed her mind.

Because fundamentally, those people were simply using the tiger as an excuse.

Whether Katie accompanied them or not, the troublemakers would find some other reason to stir up problems.

Besides, wasn't it cruel to confine such a large animal inside a small apartment all day?

No matter how often Henry expressed concern, Katharine Hepburn had never personally witnessed Katie lose control.

As far as she was concerned, the tiger deserved freedom.

She wanted Katie enjoying walks outdoors rather than spending her days climbing cat trees and sunbathing beside windows.

Meanwhile, the Kryptonian himself sat calmly on another bench.

He was considering whether he should eventually stop waiting and simply reel in whatever large fish happened to be available if his intended target refused to bite.

At that moment, a well-dressed Black man carrying a briefcase approached.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Brown."

He didn't look like he had come to cause trouble.

Henry responded politely.

"Good afternoon, Mr...?"

"Wilson. Cotton Wilson."

The man produced a business card and handed it over with practiced courtesy.

"I'm the head of business operations for Oscorp. I believe we may have an opportunity to work together."

Examining the card, Henry recognized both the company name and logo.

It appeared genuine.

Not some imposter pretending to be someone important.

So.

The fish had finally bitten.

Before Wilson could continue speaking, Henry raised a hand and stopped him.

"Mr. Wilson, I know why you're here."

He smiled.

"But the answer is no."

The rejection was immediate and straightforward.

Surprisingly, the businessman showed very little disappointment.

That wasn't surprising.

Many people like him had approached Henry over the past several months.

All had received the same answer.

By now, that fact was well known throughout the industry.

Oscorp was one of the most powerful corporations in both America and the world.

Naturally, Wilson wasn't about to lose his temper or storm off in humiliation.

He merely nodded politely.

"In that case, I won't disturb your leisure time any further, Mr. Brown."

He turned to leave.

Then Henry spoke again.

"However—"

Wilson immediately stopped.

A flawless corporate smile appeared on his face as he waited for the rest.

"If you can arrange a face-to-face meeting between me and Mr. Norman Osborn, then perhaps this business opportunity isn't entirely impossible."

Although Wilson held a management position and possessed prospects for further advancement, Norman Osborn remained a figure far above his station.

The chairman himself.

The idea that Henry wanted to bypass everyone and speak directly to Norman Osborn was surprising.

Even so, compared to the treatment other companies had received, this was already significant progress.

Wilson's task was simply to report the request.

What Norman Osborn chose to do afterward wasn't within his control.

The businessman nodded.

"I'll relay your request to my superiors, Mr. Brown.

"I sincerely hope a favorable outcome can be achieved and that we'll have an opportunity to work together in the future."

"I hope so too."

Henry offered a business smile every bit as polished as Wilson's.

Watching the man walk away, Henry noted the steady pace and complete absence of visible emotion.

People trained by major corporations really did become experts at concealing their thoughts.

After the businessman had disappeared into the distance, Katharine Hepburn suddenly spoke.

"Henry, is that the big fish you've been waiting for?"

Still mentally calculating possible developments, Henry answered casually.

"There are large fish and small fish in the pond.

"Everyone wants the bait.

"If I catch a small fish first, it'll simply be swallowed by a larger fish later.

"And then the larger fish will come after me anyway.

"So why not wait for the big fish to bite directly?

"That way I avoid the trouble of dealing with the smaller ones first.

"It's not as though more fish biting means I receive greater benefits."

The old woman continued the analogy.

"Norman Osborn isn't as easy to handle as young Tony or old Howard Stark.

"If you really intend to deal with him, you'll need to be careful."

Henry turned toward her.

"Kate, you've met Norman Osborn before?"

"Yes."

She nodded slowly.

"Only once.

"But it left a deep impression."

"Can you tell me about it?"

Katharine Hepburn thought for a moment.

"It was at a Democratic Party fundraising dinner.

"People from many different fields attended.

"Men in his position usually look down on actors."

She smiled faintly.

"We never would've spoken directly under normal circumstances.

"I only saw him passing by from a distance.

"But a mutual friend introduced us, and I had the chance to exchange a few words with him."

The old woman drifted briefly into memory.

After waiting a few moments, Henry asked:

"What did you talk about?"

Katharine frowned slightly.

"Nothing important.

"Just the usual polite compliments.

"But his attitude wasn't warm.

"It was cold.

"Completely cold."

She paused.

"It was the first time I'd ever looked into someone's eyes and seen such darkness."

Henry listened quietly.

"It wasn't greed.

"You know the sort of men who look at actresses and imagine that their wealth and power entitle them to do whatever they want.

"It wasn't that.

"And it wasn't contempt either.

"It wasn't the feeling that you were beneath his notice."

She shook her head.

"I have trouble describing it.

"But there was something dark inside him.

"Something frightening.

"I found myself unwilling to meet his gaze directly."

After another moment, she added:

"If I had to compare him to someone...

"Then I'd say Edgar Hoover."

She immediately clarified:

"The private version.

"Not the public image presented to the media."

Henry looked surprised.

"Wow.

"That's an incredibly high evaluation."

Katharine Hepburn said nothing.

She simply nodded.

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