Marvel's Iron Lady

"Who are you—or rather, what are you here for?"

"I'm here to ask for your help, Mr. Murdock."

"Help? What kind of help are you asking for?"

"I want you to reconsider your meeting with Mr. Wilson Fisk in court next week."

"So... you're one of his people?"

At the mention of Wilson Fisk's name, Matt clenched his fists tightly, so much so that his knuckles turned white. He had spent a long time gathering enough evidence to finally ensure that Wilson Fisk couldn't escape the law's punishment. He was determined to send this uncrowned king of New York, this criminal kingpin, to jail to face the legal consequences he deserved.

So, this woman standing before him, exuding an aura of danger, must have been sent by Wilson Fisk to eliminate him.

Hearing Murdock's words and seeing his vigilant posture, Stark couldn't help but laugh.

"You've misunderstood, Mr. Murdock. The reason I'm here to see you is for the sake of the ordinary people of New York."

Her first sentence instantly caused Matt's breathing to quicken, and the expression on his face became agitated.

"You should know how many ordinary citizens of New York have been harmed because of his existence!"

"Are you saying that sending Wilson Fisk to prison for the sake of those people is a bad thing?!"

Matt would rather be killed here by one of Fisk's assassins than allow her to spout such nonsense in the name of New York's citizens.

However, despite Matt's emotional response, Stark's expression remained completely calm.

"Mr. Murdock, you and I both know who Mr. Fisk truly is behind the scenes."

"New York's current situation relies on him. Without his suppression, the city's gang factions will rise up."

"Everyone envies the Kingpin. Everyone wants to take his place. What will they do to get there?"

"I believe, as someone who's come from the lower layers of society, you know very well what those people are capable of."

She spoke calmly, stating her thoughts one by one. Yet her words left Matt completely silent.

Matt had indeed considered what might happen if Fisk were sent to prison and judged by the law. But his deep hatred for Fisk had caused him to lose his usual composure, blinding him to the bigger picture.

After all—it was a truck filled with chemicals from one of Fisk's factories that had turned Matt Murdock into who he was today.

"If the gangs rise up, the ones who'll suffer the most will be the ordinary citizens of New York."

Stark was here to persuade him, though in truth, she also had conflicting feelings about this. A chaotic New York might make Norman Osborn's run for mayor a bit smoother. However, a stable New York was more in line with her interests, as it would allow her business ventures to expand more securely.

"I understand what you mean, and I've thought about it too. It's just..."

"So, regarding Mr. Wilson Fisk, are we done talking?"

Stark placed her hand on the desk, lightly tapping her finger on the surface, her gaze never leaving the blind lawyer.

Still, a slight sense of disappointment crept into her mind—but then again, what did the lives of New Yorkers have to do with her? She had only reached out to help because it was convenient, and if it didn't work out, well... wait?

Suddenly, Stark's mind began to race, and her eyes gleamed once more.

With Fisk behind bars, the city's gang factions would undoubtedly break out into a turf war. Since kind Mr. Fisk had already signed over Fisk International's construction company to her, if she could use this time to turn her Disaster Control Company concept into reality, this gang war could be the very opportunity her company needed to rise.

Outwardly, she still maintained a calm and collected demeanor, but in her mind, she had already started calculating just how much money she could make. A turf war between gangs would certainly stretch New York's already thin police force even further. A disaster control company, through reconstruction efforts, could profit immensely from the chaos. The profits from construction materials alone were huge, and the company could charge hefty fees for equipment rentals and specialized vehicles.

If everything went as planned, even though it might not make her an astronomical amount of money, it would at least establish Disaster Control's name. Plus, through Wesley, Fisk's right-hand man, Stark could introduce Stark Industries' weapons into the New York underworld. With ample weapons supply, the gang war might escalate even further, leading to more reconstruction work.

Those injured in the firefights could also use cheap drugs supplied by Osborn Pharmaceuticals, allowing her to profit from the medical side as well. Meanwhile, the core business of the Disaster Control Company wasn't just construction but insurance. Government-funded projects always had numerous loopholes for embezzlement.

Thinking this through, Stark's gaze at Matt Murdock shifted from neutral to something more predatory.

This guy could very well be the golden key to her rise to the pinnacle of capitalism!

Matt's heightened senses naturally picked up on Stark's unrestrained gaze. Her sharp eyes scanning him up and down made him feel slightly creeped out.

"Mr. Murdock, I fully support bringing Fisk to justice."

"If you need anything, let me know. I'm more than willing to help with any trouble you face."

"We can't allow such a criminal to run rampant; he must be brought to justice."

And just like that, for the sake of green dollar bills, Stark flipped sides in an instant, selling out her former partner.

Matt distinctly remembered that this woman had come here to convince him not to send Fisk to prison. But in less than two minutes, she had completely reversed her stance, now insisting that he absolutely must send Fisk to jail.

For a moment, Matt couldn't wrap his head around it—what had just happened? What was going on?

"Oh, by the way, I have a more personal matter I'd like to discuss with you."

Compared to Matt's confusion, Stark's face bore a satisfied smile.

"Would you consider becoming the legal representative for my company?"

"If you agree, I'll offer a retainer of fifty thousand dollars per month, plus bonuses."

Matt thought he should refuse—but the offer was too tempting.

Running this law firm might give him the satisfaction of helping ordinary people, but it didn't exactly pay well.

Just look at this rundown office—no clients coming in, not even enough money for coffee to serve guests.

"If you're willing, I'd also be happy to hire your two colleagues."

"Foggy Nelson, right? I believe he's a college friend of yours and co-founded this firm."

"I can tell he's a decent manager, keeping this non-profitable firm running for so long."

Perhaps worried that Matt wouldn't agree, Stark sweetened the deal with another offer.

"You investigated me?"

Matt frowned, clearly unhappy with being investigated, and he didn't like the idea of someone prying into the lives of those close to him.

"Surely, Mr. Murdock, you understand that before hiring a lawyer, it's only natural to find out who you are dealing with," Stark replied with a shrug, indicating she had no ill intent.

"Besides, your assistant—I can see there's something special between you two."

"If you want to win over a good girl, you might need a more respectable job. And I happen to have one to offer."

It was clear to Stark that her words had already begun to sway the blind lawyer, whose financial situation was dire, and whose career faced countless obstacles.

Economic hardship wasn't the only issue—being a blind lawyer came with its own unique set of challenges that only Matt himself could fully understand.

"May I... ask exactly what kind of company you're running?"

"Oh, of course. Department of Damage Control."

When the villains of the world carry out their plans, do they ever consider the collateral damage they cause? And when the superheroes fight back, is it possible for them not to cause any destruction?

The damage caused by these battles inevitably needs to be repaired. The city can't stay in ruins forever.

Damage Control's work may not be glamorous, but its significance can't be denied.

Yes, superheroes make great contributions and sacrifices, and they possess admirable qualities. But in their battles, the ones who suffer the most are always the ordinary people who can't protect themselves. Even with their best efforts, superheroes can't ensure everyone's safety.

And that's where Damage Control comes in, to help those people—and, of course, make some money on the side.

After hearing Stark's description of the future, Matt was genuinely intrigued by the vision she presented. However, he still found it difficult to make a final decision. Could this seemingly noble company truly succeed?

"Allow me to introduce myself properly. Anthonia Natasha Stark. Yes, the Stark you're thinking of."

"So, what do you say—do we have a deal, Mr. Head of Legal?"

"Deal, boss."

After all, the Stark name represented Stark Industries, and that name alone was a guarantee.

Matt may have been momentarily confused, but he wasn't an idiot—had he just hit the jackpot?

Though the future head of legal had agreed to join, the entire company was still just a concept on paper.

"Obie, I have a new business idea. I'd like you to help me evaluate it."

As the saying goes, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. And many times, that treasure could provide invaluable experience, especially in business matters.

Obadiah Stane, who had served as interim CEO of Stark Industries for years in Howard's absence, had a strong business acumen. Even Stark had to acknowledge his abilities and would seek his advice when necessary.

In another timeline, this old man may have had his own sinister plans, but would Stark care?

In truth, Stark didn't care if the people around her posed a potential threat. She simply had no interest in using the Infinity Stones' reality-warping power to secure illegitimate gains.

Sure, with the Reality Stone's power, she could easily rewrite reality and become the ruler of the planet. But then, what would be the point of playing the game? Stark had her doubts.

Aside from protecting herself, she had no desire to use the Stones' power to break the rules of the game.

Stark was confident she could trick the old man, Obadiah, into investing a considerable amount of money. With some extra effort, she might even be able to coax out his retirement fund and throw it into the market.

After arranging a meeting with Obadiah, Stark also reached out to a few other individuals.

First was Norman Osborn, who had gradually stepped back from the public eye after Osborn Industries had successfully reconnected with the military.

Osborn Industries had developed a serum that replicated the super-soldier effect of Captain America, albeit with a few flaws. The U.S. military was highly interested in such a serum, and they weren't the only ones. After all, this was a serum that could enhance human abilities—despite its minor imperfections.

To protect her interests, Stark wasn't about to let Osborn Pharmaceuticals sell the technology outright. Instead, they would release it little by little, like squeezing toothpaste, meeting market demands while continuing to tweak the formula.

Even just this tiny trickle of technology had caused a sensation in the market. Osborn Industries was rocketing back to the top from its slump, and those investors who had distanced themselves from the company now regretted their decisions bitterly.

Had they known that Osborn Pharmaceuticals held such a golden goose, they never would have let go of their shares.

But it was too late. Stark had privately acquired all of the stock they'd dumped, along with Norman's own shares. Now, she practically owned Osborn Industries.

If she wanted to, she could even rename the company Stark Industries—but for now, she decided against it.

Stark controlled Norman Osborn, partly because he continued to invest in her business ventures. However, she also contacted two other individuals.

One was James Wesley, the designated contact for Wilson Fisk. Stark's plan couldn't proceed without Fisk's involvement.

The other was her estranged uncle, General Thaddeus Ross.

Stark needed to add more weight to her side of the scales. A close relationship with a high-ranking general was an invaluable asset.

She needed more investors, and she wasn't afraid to share some of the profits if it meant expanding her network. After all, building a network based on mutual interests was far more stable than hoarding everything for herself.

After contacting those individuals, Stark put down her phone and pondered for a moment before dialing another number.

"I've got a big project in the works, and I'm looking for investors. I think you might be interested."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line before a low voice finally responded.

"I'll give you a chance. Come to Washington and convince me. Maybe I'll be interested in your project."

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