NOVEL NEXT Chapter 263: Sharp Questions
Smith Dole entered the reception room, where Eddie Brock and his team had already finished setting up for the exclusive interview.
As soon as Smith walked in, Eddie stood up.
"Hello, Mr. Smith Dole, I'm Eddie Brock. We met once at the Capsule Corporation's press conference."
Looking at Eddie's outstretched hand, Smith knew the man had not yet encountered Venom, the symbiote that would one day make him a superhuman. He wondered if the spaceship carrying the symbiote had returned to Earth yet — something to have investigated after this meeting.
Smith shook Eddie's hand and smiled.
"Hello, Mr. Reporter."
Smith took a seat in the single armchair and said,
"I hear you've visited me eight times already, and now this is the ninth?"
Eddie grinned.
"That's right, Mr. Smith. The media has long wanted an exclusive interview with you, but it seems no one else has gotten the chance. I'm fortunate that my persistence moved you to grant me this opportunity."
Seeing Eddie's modest expression, Smith might have believed it — if he didn't already know Eddie's aggressive interview style. Smiling faintly, he replied:
"I've seen your interviews. Tell me, you're not here to dig up dirt on me, are you?"
Eddie chuckled awkwardly and explained,
"Mr. Smith, you're not only a superhero but also an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. Your introduction of the Superhero Property Insurance has helped countless people who suffered losses. People need superheroes like you."
Smith didn't dwell on the flattery.
"My time is valuable, so let's skip the small talk. Start the interview — I have other matters to handle afterward."
Eddie nodded, signaled "OK" to the cameraman, and began.
"At the age of twenty, you became a shareholder of Stark Industries and made a fortune, later founding the Capsule Corporation. Could you share the story of how you got your start?"
Smith thought for a moment before answering,
"My first pot of gold actually came from my good friend Tony Stark. Everyone knows that period when Tony was attacked and went missing in Afghanistan. Stark Industries came to me with a commission to rescue him.
"As you all know, I succeeded in bringing Tony back — and earned my first big payday. Using that, I shorted Stark Industries stocks heavily, then before Tony announced he was Iron Man, I closed all the shorts and bought Stark stock instead.
"That series of trades greatly increased my net worth. As for the later founding of Capsule Corporation and the success of our products, I don't think I need to explain that in detail."
Eddie was clearly impressed.
"I didn't expect you to have such skill in the stock market. Do you have other notable records in trading?"
Smith shook his head.
"I'm no stock market genius, and my foresight isn't perfect. Investing in Stark Industries was one of my few ventures in the market — mostly because I believed Tony would lead Stark Industries in a new direction. He didn't disappoint me."
Eddie nodded.
"Stark Industries is indeed a great stock. Even with the CEO now being Tony's former assistant, it's still performing well on the market.
"From what I've gathered on your fan sites, people aren't just interested in your rise to success — they're curious about your personal abilities. You and Tony Stark are seen as two pinnacles: one in technology, the other in the human body. Some of your fans even call you a Superman straight out of a comic book. So… do you believe aliens exist?"
Hearing the question, Smith almost thought Eddie was going to ask if he was an alien.
"The universe is vast, and Earth is just an unremarkable speck in it. In my eyes, there are definitely intelligent life forms beyond Earth.
"If there weren't, that would mean humanity did not naturally evolve — and that's a very dangerous idea."
Smith knew full well that in the Marvel universe, aliens were hardly rare — in fact, many lived on Earth itself. That made his answer all the more certain.
Eddie looked surprised.
"But over the years, we've never truly seen intelligent life beyond Earth. Reports surface, but they're always debunked."
Smith smiled.
"I still stand by my view, and I believe that one day in the future, we'll see intelligent life from beyond Earth."
He knew that day wasn't far off — when Loki led the Chitauri to invade Earth, the public would learn the truth: that the universe held other peoples, and they weren't coming with peace and technology, but with war and conquest.
Eddie grinned.
"I hope I can see aliens in my lifetime, and see humanity venture beyond Earth to find a habitable planet. The Earth is vast, but humanity keeps growing — and the damage we do to it is considerable.
"Also, Mr. Smith, with the appearance of the power scouter, more and more Extremes, Transcendents, and Supernaturals are stepping into the public eye. Do you think their presence will squeeze the survival space of ordinary people? If such individuals commit crimes, how should ordinary police stop them? After all, we currently only have you, Iron Man, and Whiplash as superheroes."
Smith knew this was no simple question — in fact, it was a sharp one. It showed that ordinary people online were starting to think seriously about the issue. After all, inequality breeds discontent, and just as some wealthy people no longer saw themselves as the same as common folk, would these extraordinary beings still consider ordinary humans as their peers?
(End of Chapter)
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