So should we call it a surprise, or not really?

Lin Miao never believed that moral condemnation could do anything to those corporations.

Experimenting on volunteers and organ trafficking have been exposed before, but what can be done about it? 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

This time, the issue with the Human Brain Array only sparked public outrage because Horizon Corporation stood up and said a few words. Otherwise, it would have sunk without a trace, not even a ripple.

In fact, no company truly believed that Horizon Corporation did this out of some moral impulse.

Because the Exchange Coupon wasn't handled cleanly, the terminal left in the computer room was uncovered. Zeta Technology directly used this opportunity to accuse Horizon Corporation of stealing confidential data.

Thus, in the eyes of outsiders, this evolved into a dog-eat-dog situation.

Although there isn't much difference in reality, this is destined to be a long-lasting war of words. After all, for Lin Miao, there's no way he'd compensate anyone. He'd never pay up in this lifetime.

Military Technology hasn't even compensated Huang Ban Sanlang for his son's funeral expenses, so why should he? At best, he could get Military Technology to mediate and return those prosthetic doctors.

Let the wrangling drag on, after all, what company doesn't carry a few never-ending lawsuits?

Compared to this trivial matter, Lin Miao is more concerned about the people and data the players brought back.

"Anne Hathaway… are you a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Brain Science from the University of Pennsylvania? What a beautiful resume."

Judging from her resume alone, this assistant from Zeta Technology is immensely promising. If she could just put up with things for a few more years, she might manage to lead a project one day.

Yet here she is, abandoning a bright future to save a group of unknown children.

People with such decisiveness and moral views are a rare sight in Night City, sparking Lin Miao's interest in recruiting her.

After all, without people, the players' desired new profession in the next version can't be implemented, can it?

Furthermore, her morals withstand scrutiny, and her capabilities excel. She's the kind of invaluable talent in the Medical Department one can only hope to encounter; her professional knowledge far surpasses Gloria's makeshift expertise, and Lin Miao is eager for Anne to join.

"Now that you've offended Zeta Technology, and other companies are eager to collaborate with them, it's hard to guarantee they won't have ideas about you. If you don't mind, I have some work that might just suit you. Would you consider it?"

Anne Hathaway assesses Lin Miao, who recently rose to fame in Night City.

Taking down gangs, occupying Yunding, seizing Dog Town, restarting the Taiping Continent Development Zone, and the fervent expansion of Stone Ridge Mountain Industrial Zone, and even pulling a big one on everyone in Taiping Continent

He's undoubtedly the commercial star in Night City right now.

The key is, after doing so much, making so much money, he's retained his reputation among the lower strata.

Facing Zeta Technology's accusations now, he remains calm and composed, unfathomable.

She cautiously asks: "If I refuse, would you kill me or turn me in?"

"If you died, wouldn't my people have died in vain? If it weren't for rescuing you, they should've been able to withdraw without a scratch."

Lin Miao's tone shifts to a low murmur, with a hint of sorrow he doesn't want others to see in his eyes.

"Ah... they were good guys, kind-hearted, no neighbors disliked them..."

Finishing, he pretends to wipe away non-existent tears from his eyes with a tissue.

Leveraging gratitude is contemptible, yet highly effective.

Ask about the heavy casualties, but don't ask why they occurred.

Half of the casualty figures were the players' doing, and had nothing to do with Zeta Technology.

Didn't Anne know Lin Miao was pretending?

Of course, she did. How could someone soft-hearted reach Lin Miao's level in Night City? It's a city full of Oscar-worthy actors.

But leveraging gratitude is aboveboard, and the external threats are surely real.

She might step out of this door and be captured and killed by Zeta Technology. Does that have anything to do with Lin Miao?

Not a bit.

"Whew... let's talk about the job first. I believe you wouldn't want Zeta Technology's situation to happen again, right?"

Anne crosses her arms, thinking that if Lin Miao dares to recruit her, a corporate defector, and isn't afraid of her betrayal, he must have some confidence.

Only a fool would coerce high-end technical staff to work for them; otherwise, how could you trust the products they produce?

"Your concern is unnecessary, Miss Anne. We won't approve any experiment that violates the human rights of free citizens. Even if you don't trust me, you should trust the people under me."

Gangsters and junkies don't count as people.

"And the reason you're here is simple; we have a victim also poisoned by Zeta Technology. Her brain has undergone irreversible changes; my people can only prevent further deterioration but can't cure it, so we'll need an expert like you to take a look."

To be safe, Lin Miao doesn't mention the new professions, avoiding triggering memories of Zeta Technology and causing stress, and instead using the previous victim to stir some guilt in her. That way, the job offer discussion would provoke less aversion.

Anne roughly understands this.

He should be talking about the previous batch of test subjects. Anne didn't have many objections then since they were adults and should be responsible for their choices, so she didn't feel guilty during the surgeries, but children are different after all.