Jonah Jameson came over to Ned's desk and tearfully announced the news he had received from Spider-Man. Upon hearing this, Mary Jane felt shocked and ashamed. She had initially thought Ned was a reporter who had been bought off or coerced into not investigating, but she hadn't expected that he was captured by the mastermind while investigating the bombing and ultimately died because of it.
"This is our loss, but it is also our glory. A great investigative journalist died at his post," Jonah said, his tone mixing grief and indignation. "But this cannot hinder our momentum to keep going. Why did Ned Leeds die? Is it because the enemy is extremely powerful and utterly evil?"
"No! Quite the opposite! This proves their cowardice, proves their vulnerability! These animals, who trifle with human lives and act recklessly, are still afraid of the truth, terrified of the truth! They are afraid of being exposed to the light! Leeds' death proves we are right! It proves that the path we are insisting on is the correct one! The Daily Bugle will not be afraid! The Daily Bugle will not retreat!"
"I will personally take the lead again to investigate this case! J.J. 'Steelsaw' Jameson will show this so-called Goblin King the power of New York newsmen!"
"Jonah, leave it to me." Ben Urich looked at Jameson, and the two leaned close to talk in hushed tones. "Ned was originally writing the story for me. It was I who told him to go to the site to investigate. I never expected so many things to be involved later. This is my responsibility, and I will take charge of this investigation."
"No, Ben, this case is too dangerous. I... you are younger than me. Perhaps the Daily Bugle needs you more," Jonah glanced at the other young staff and continued, "I'll handle it. By the way, where are Ned's files?"
Ben looked at Mary Jane, who was watching the two of them. Jonah sighed and then walked up to Mary Jane. "Alright, Miss Watson, you heard what I said."
"I know, Mr. Jameson. I'd be happy to help you."
"This is a formal investigation, Watson! You are just a... high school intern. How can you help me?!"
Mary Jane blinked, then told Jameson the results of the deduction she and Peter had made yesterday, though she didn't involve Peter in the story.
"Mr. Leeds had already found the approximate range of the enemy, but he couldn't get support from the police. Mr. Jameson, if we could get some support from the police, perhaps we could quickly find out who this Goblin King really is."
Jonah opened his mouth, seemingly grasping immediately why Ned had been killed.
He had actually investigated this far!
His expression turned to overjoyed excitement, and he couldn't help but roar, "Well, spit it out!"
Roderick Kingsley, a famous fashion designer in New York. Due to his excellent ability, he was acquainted with a large number of upper-class New Yorkers, for whom he designed many personalized and tasteful clothes.
And he was indeed the Hobgoblin, and in the original timeline, the first Hobgoblin.
Roderick Kingsley had long been tired of his monotonous life, or perhaps, he was simply bored. Although his work as a fashion designer provided him with a solid financial foundation, it didn't mean he could live a completely satisfied life. With the increasing appearance of super-powered individuals in the world, Roderick Kingsley began to feel weary of his ordinary life.
Until that night, when three metal spheres changed his fate.
Yes, not one, but three.
If history hadn't changed, Roderick would have originally discovered the Green Goblin's full set of equipment, including the Goblin Serum, in the sewers after the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, faked his death. Subsequently, he would have used the serum on Arnold Donovan to test its side effects, turning Donovan into the second Hobgoblin until his death, and then brainwashed Ned Leeds to become the third Hobgoblin, thereby covering his tracks.
Then, Roderick would have used the "Hobgoblin Serum," a refined version of the Green Goblin Serum that didn't affect his personality, to become the super-villain Hobgoblin.
As for why three spheres? In the original history, to protect his true identity, Roderick would have his twin brother Daniel impersonate the Hobgoblin. Gradually, his brother also began to indulge in pure criminal activity, becoming the future sixth Hobgoblin. Even more surprising, their butler Claude also joined the ranks, and if history hadn't changed, he would have become the eighth Hobgoblin.
A veritable gathering of talent in one family.
After they received the metal spheres, a person named the Goblin King found them. Unlike many people the Goblin King kidnapped who were unwilling to become Goblins, these three actively chose to join and carried out their wicked deeds according to their own will. And the case at the restaurant was indeed carried out by Roderick because a cursed employee accidentally ran into him and saw the gray skin beneath his clothing.
Of course, the brainwashing and false accusation were not done by Roderick. Although these were things he was originally supposed to do, the Goblin King had already taken care of them for him.
"Okay, I understand. Got it."
Roderick ran his hand through his hair after finishing the call, then looked at his younger brother behind him. "Well, it seems the Goblin King isn't the most efficient person. The Avengers, or perhaps J. Jonah Jameson, might be coming for us tonight. I'll need an alibi then."
"J. Jonah Jameson? That loudmouth who yells on TV?"
Daniel chuckled nonchalantly, not taking the old man seriously at all. Roderick, however, shook his head.
"It's better to be careful. The Goblin King sounded very vigilant about this news."
"Understood, I'll be cautious. This will be the first time the Hobgoblin appears in the public eye," Daniel Kingsley smiled, then raised a question that somewhat confused him. "By the way, Bro, the Avengers are not like those DC heroes with a no-kill rule. What should I do if they come to kill me?"
"You just focus on drawing them out, Daniel." Roderick was clearly unconcerned by this point. "The Goblin King's goal is to eliminate Spider-Man and his amazing friends. We are just a decoy to lure them out. As long as Spider-Man takes the bait, they will be subjected to the full force of the Goblin Legion."
"Once Spider-Man is dead, the Goblin King will leave us a territory in this lawless world."
"Now, the old Jameson will probably be knocking on the door soon."