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"Matt."
"Yeah?" Matt Murdock, attorney at law and one half of Nelson and Murdock is shuffling through some papers on his desk, taking a moment to run his hand over them as he tries to get organized for his next meeting.
"Matt, it's Harry Osborn."
"Oh yeah?"
"No, I mean, he's here. In the office."
Matt stops shuffling papers immediately and turns his head towards Karen in a bit of shock. "Harry Osborn is here?" He swallows hard. "Well, we should …I mean, send him in." Just before Karen leaves, Matt stops here. "Karen?"
"Yeah, Matt?"
"Better cancel my meeting with Anderson."
"Right."
"Right."
"Okay."
This is kind of a big deal for a fledgling law firm.
*
Harry Osborn is waiting in the lobby as Karen steps back to inform Murdock of his arrival. For a young twenty-something, Harry does possess a certain air about him that speaks of the high profile family and atmosphere he is accustomed to. He offers Karen a smile as she informs him that Matt will see him and moves easily toward the indicated office.
Harry moves into the space, a pale hand lifting to brush the hair away from his forehead and out of his field of vision as he quickly scans the room and then Murdock in turn. Walking forward, Harry extends a hand and says, "Mr. Murdock, it is a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice." Matt will likely notice at once that his grip is not that firm, and his palm smooth enough to show that the man has likely never done a hard day's work in his life.
*
Matt's hand, alternatively, are rather course. Perhaps a reputation as a kid who has had to claw for everything he has gotten is well earned, if Osborn has heard of his reputation at all. "Certainly not a problem, Mr. Osborn. Happy to help in any way that I can. Please have a seat." As Matt sits he smiles and folds his hands over his stomach. "What can we help you with today, sir?"
*
Harry eases himself down into the offered chair with a smile of gratitude. His eyes regard the lawyer across from him, watching him closely as if curious just how the fabled blind lawyer of Hell's Kitchen manages to make it working in an office of law. There is a slow exhale as he considers the question before finally saying, "Well no doubt you have heard that my father passed away last month. That makes me the new owner to be of Oscorp, so long as the board members don't manage to push me out and take all of my father's hard earned work for themselves. Honestly, I am not sure where to turn. The board are all old men with a lot of connections, and I am sure those connections extend to most lawyers and judges."
*
Matt nods sadly, "I did here. To be honest, I never met your father, but his record of philanthropy is well known, especially in this city and this neighborhood. I'm sorry for your loss, Mr. Osborn." He re-positions himself and nods. "Though mostly trial lawyers, both Foggy and I did our interning in corporate law, Mr. Osborn. We may be uniquely fit to help you as you navigate. Are you worried about being pushed out?"
*
Harry Osborn has partially disconnected.
*
Harry shrugs before saying quietly, "I would not be surprised if the board members tried to push me out and steal my company. My father's company. They know that my father and I did not have the best relationship, and that I was raised mostly away from New York. My father wished for me to go to high end boarding schools. He only wanted the best for me." Something in the way he says that last reads as defensive, almost as if he were trying to convince himself or possibly Matt that his father cared enough about him for that to be the reason for sending his son away.
*
Matt nods, "The first thing I would recommend is for you to have someone go over all of the board bylaws to ensure you're covered from hostile takeovers. You may also want to employ someone to track down not only who is buying stock into OsCorp, but also who controls who buys OsCorp stock. As far as sedition, if you have evidence to believe someone is conspiring against you you will want to act quickly to get them removed from the board."
*
Harry nods his head, brow furrowing slightly as he leans forward in his chair to place his elbows upon his knees. His expression turns intense as he says, "That is why I am here. I want to hire you to make sure that those bastards cannot push me out of my father's company. It is mine by birth. It is not right what they are trying to do. I have heard about you. The Lawyer from Hell's Kitchen. You aren't someone I have to worry about taking a dirty bribe to let them push me to the curb."
*
Foggy is going to be elated. They're going to be able to make rent this month. And for a lot of months here on out. "Well, we're certainly available and definitely interested in working for you, Mr. Osborn," Matt replies. "We can send you over our negotiable funding package that we'd need, unless you have an offer that you want to go with. That being said, I think we can work something that is mutually beneficial."
*
Harry smiles, his face showing his youth as his normally subdued features are transformed. "Great!" he says excitedly. "I knew this was going to be the right move. Send over your package and I will take a look at it and get back to you as soon as I can. Like you said, we will have to be fast, because I am sure that those vultures on the board are already working to get the ball rolling against me."
*
Matt gives a nod, "I have my afternoon cleared. At least I assume I do, Karen was going to work on that. If it's just the same to you I'll bring the package with me and get a look at the books when I do." How he can do that is anyone's guess. He stands and reaches across the table. "We'll ensure that the company stays in the right hands, Mr. Osborn."
*
The smile persists on Harry's face as he stands, giving the impression that the well-to-do man may not really be used to things going the way that he wants them to. He reaches out to eagerly shake Murdock's hand and says, "That sounds great. I will make sure that I am around when you come… the staff will have been instructed to keep the books tightly under lock and key, but I have the clearances for any part of the building, for now at least."
*
"Sounds good. I look forward to meeting with you and to start getting to work on your behalf. Any loopholes we find we'll want to cinch up rather quickly." Matt makes his way around his desk, reaching to open the door. Karen coughs and steps away from the copy machine as if she were listening to the conversation.
*
Harry nods his head, his excitement seeming to keep him from marveling at the fact that Matt can move around with relative ease in his office despite being blind. The young man doesn't even seem to care that Karen was listening in, and as he steps from the office he excitedly makes sure that Matt has the address for Oscorp… as if it would be hard for him to find. He offers to have a car sent for the lawyer if needed and then leaves.