"You are such a manipulator! Did you use this on me too?!"
Will was a bit confused.
If Helen was angry at his manipulations, then fine. But… why did she sound more like a jealous girlfriend?
Jessica rubbed hands and feet. "I understand. Can… can you tell me about my sister?"
"I can. But can I trust you, Jessica?" Will asked back.
'Yeah, I am the one who needs to trust you, not the other way around.'
Will knew that with Jessica's personality, this conversation would have gone completely differently if he had been gentle throughout the beginning.
Jessica nodded solemnly. "You can absolutely trust me, Mr. Osborn," she said, trying to sound like an adult.
Will looked into her eyes for a long moment, to the point that a blush crept on Jessica's face. But she refused to break eye-contact, putting on a stubborn look that he found a bit cute.
Will finally nodded. "Alright then, let's go see your sister."
So, moments later, the two of them stood in front of the room where Patricia was resting.
"Are you sure you're free? We really can't afford another one of your rampages in there."
But at this moment, Jessica hesitated, taking a step back.
"I… I really don't know. At that time, I wanted to reject his orders but I really couldn't. So…"
"It's okay, I'll hold you down," said Will, putting an arm around her. "I managed to subdue you once while protecting her. I can do it again."
Jessica seemed to feel more secure this way as she nodded resolutely.
"Don't hold back."
"You cheater! You obviously know Kilgrave's control over her is completely gone but you still do this!"
On mini buds in his ears, Helen's outraged voice continued blare.
Will ignored her curses and unlocked the door, walking in with his arm tightly holding onto Jessica.
Finally, Jessica saw her sister Patricia lying in the bed, looking like she was just sleeping peacefully.
"Trish…" Jessica took two steps forward, raising her hand towards Patricia, as if reaching out to her but then lowered it. "Is she… really fine?"
"You can say that." Will turned on the tv in the room and showed her footage where Kilgrave shot at them.
"Kilgrave fired around 14 shots at us. I took 11, two of them missed us completely, but one managed to hit her in the back. The bullet grazed her kidney, which required immediate treatment," said Will with a lost look on his face, like he was reliving the moment.
"But Kilgrave had taken control over you. Letting him run away with you would have not only ruined your life, but also many others. So, I was in a dilemma."
"At that time, she made the decision for me."
Will looked down at Patricia.
"Even when shot, she kept looking in the direction you had escaped. It seems that you are very important to her."
After this, Jessica's tears could no longer be stopped.
She walked forward and took Patricia's hand without hesitation, holding it between her fingers.
"You said the bullet grazed his kidney. Is that bad?"
"In normal hospitals, Yes. But thanks to the advanced medical tech of Os-iris, she has been almost completely healed. But… your problems don't end here."
Jessica looked at him in puzzlement.
"What do you mean?"
Will switched the screen to show the news channels, many of which were showing pictures of Jessica.
"You've kinda become famous."
"All the parents and students who were present in the classroom witnessed your extraordinary abilities. And… most are not staying quiet about it."
The tv showed reporters interviewing a couple (Flash Thompson's parents) vividly describing the fight between Jessica and the White Knight.
"It was like a fight between superhumans. Every move could create holes and craters in the wall and broken furniture. And we were not even allowed to move," Mrs. Thompson was saying while crying.
"We have no reason to lie. This really is what happened," said Mr. Thompson, supporting his wife.
"White Knight was so cool! He's my hero!" This was Flash Thompson himself who couldn't let his parents hog all the limelight.
"They… they all know." Jessica blankly looked at the screen, the realization dawning on her.
"Yes, but people aren't what you need to be afraid of right now. It's the government and secret organisations that would give anything to have the opportunity to cut you open and find out the secret to your special abilities."
"Fuck…" Jessica cursed, falling into the seat next to Patricia.
"So, what are you going to do?" Asked Will.
"I… I really don't know. I need to leave the Walkers, or Patricia will be in danger too. I think I'll live somewhere alone."
"You're broke and wanted. How would you find a place to live? Suppose you rented a place, how would you find a job to pay for it? If people recognize you, those who want your body will follow soon."
"I…" Jessica was at a loss for words.
Will sighed.
"Alright, I am willing to help you out. I can get my lawyer and PR department to make it look like you are just an ordinary girl who has been well trained. I can also help you protect the safety of the Walkers from those shadowy organisations who still might come for you."
"Y-You can? No… you have already saved me and my sister. I really can't trouble you anymore."
"Don't worry. I won't do it for free. You can work in our company."
"Work for you? But… I don't even have a high school diploma."
Will chuckled. "You have such extraordinary powers and you still think about doing desk jobs that need a piece of paper?"
"Do you know how much we spend to hire and train specialized units for security, protection, and high-risk escort missions?"
"Aside from this, we also sometimes need people to do private investigations, dig out the dirt on corrupt politicians and businessmen, and so on."
"With your powers, you could be a great asset in any of these fields after receiving proper training."
Will was paying close attention to Jessica's expressions while saying this and he didn't fail to catch the brief flicker of interest, even excitement when he mentioned private investigation.
Hook, line, and sinker.
"I…" Jessica hesitated, unable to make a decision.
"Just… accept it." A faint voice sounded at this time, startling Jessica.
"Trish! How are you?! Is there any discomfort?"
"I'm fine," Patricia winked at her, smiling. "She accepts your offer… Mr. Handsomeborne," she said, shifting her gaze to Will.
"Great," Will held up Jessica's hand and shook it. "Welcom to the Os-iris Family. I will arrange your training starting tomorrow. Your food, accommodation, and living expenses will be arranged and paid for by the company and you'll also be getting a monthly allowance."
"Wait, but I really don't think I am—"
"Shut up, Jessica." Patricia wasn't having any of it. "Mr. Osborn, she'll gratefully accept your offer. It's just that she's introverted and always tries to push people away and makes bad decisions that can help her punish herself. Don't mind her."
"Trish!"
"What? You always try to lower yourself despite having such great powers. Now that someone has discovered your potential, don't try to hide behind the wall anymore."
Will secretly made a thumbs up gesture behind his back to Helen, for waking up Patricia at the right time according to his instructions.
"Then, you guys chat, I'll handle the media situation. Also, Patricia, I need a picture show to your worried fans," he said, holding up his phone camera.
Immediately, Patricia struck a pose while Jessica unconsciously made the face of a deer caught in headlights.
"Perfect."
With that, Will left the room.
"You really don't feel guilty deceiving young girls like that?" Helen's helpless voice sounded in his ear.
"Who said I was deceiving them? Aren't you living a good life now?"
"Of course I'm living a grea—Wait! So you did use similar tricks on me!"
"Just tell me if you regret it or not. Besides, I'm hiring her mostly to protect you. Though all previous attempts were thwarted, I don't feel comfortable leaving you with ordinary bodyguards."
Helen melted with just that. It has to be said, she is really easy to deceive.
With this matter settled, Will went to an area without surveillance and dialled a unique number. It was just a string of nines.
"Was that you?" As soon as the call was answered, this question was asked. The voice was even and professional, every syllable sharp as a boardroom knife.
It was none other than Norman Osborne, who had texted Will to call him when the matter was handled.
"Yes, father. That idiot Kilgrave actually came after me. Of course I had to show him levels."
"I had only heard rumors about him. Are his powers real?" Norman asked, intrigued.
"Pretty much. We have him locked and under experimentation. Too bad I had to destroy his mouth so he can't use his powers anymore."
"He deserves it. Torture him well for me," Norman laughed coldly. "Though you shouldn't have taken the risk yourself. You aren't usually that reckless."
"I know. I thought I could take him down without resistance. Who would have thought he would find that overpowered girl?"
Norman paused. "So, the girl's powers were real too?"
"Yeah, she's a special case. Helen said her powers cannot be replicated. I have already recruited her though."
"You did good. Train her to be obedient and let her protect you at all times," Norman sounded proud and satisfied. Why would he? Two supernaturals captured in one go. "But be careful with both of them. Don't let your guard down."
"Yeah, I'll do that. I'll leave getting her name cleared from the Media and Police to you. Also, you can claim the suit as Oscorp Tech. We're not going to sell it anymore but it should still a stock hike,"
"I've already given the instructions for that. You don't need to teach me."
With the success of the regeneration pod, social media companies, they had no shortage of money, so Will had convinced Norman to not commercialize their Goblin Suit and just leave it for Will to play around with.
Besides, the Goblin Serum was not yet ready, so the suit could not be sold anyway since no one could bear the energy drain.
"Alright then, anything else?" Will asked, ready to hang up.
"Yes, how was the suit without the serum?"
"I wore it for around 30 minutes and just woke up."
"Alright then, use it in moderation. But do show it off a little more. Be bold. I'll increase the security measures of both companies and talk to a few senators."
Will grinned. "Of course."
They talked for a while more before Will hung up. With just one phone call, the matter of Jessica and Kilgrave was handled. With Oscorp's power, it was just a small matter.
Will also sent out the picture to the Oscorp PR team and gave them several instructions.
With the matter settled, Will returned to Helen's lab, where she was still watching the girl's reunion with interest.
"They're talking about you, you know?" She said as he sat down in front of other screens and began working.
Will shrugged. "So what? Many girls talk about me."
"But these two are different. One is child star and the other has superpowers. Don't you feel anything at all?"
"Woman, can you let me work?"
As if he'd tell her. The korean beauty was obviously probing him. Will still had to sustain a few more Regeneration Pod sessions, so wisely kept his mouth shut.
Helen peek in.
"10 most dangerous stunts?" Is this your way of working?"
"Yeah, it is." Will replied in all seriousness.
But it was true that Will was working. He was researching on way to more ways to Aura Farm. There seems to be plenty of ways he can do that. Will just need to make a list and start following through.
[Mission Complete]
But at this moment, another good news sounded in his ears, making him jump in surprise.
.....
A.N.: I need the Aura of Powerstones!
100 stones = 1 chapter!
200 stones = 2 chapters!
400 stones = 3 chapters!