While Betty had never mentioned Banner in Richard's presence, this didn't mean she had completely erased him from her thoughts. Despite everything that had happened between them, Banner remained the man she had loved deeply for several years.
If the gamma radiation accident had never occurred, they might very well be married by now, living the quiet academic life they had once planned together.
After hearing Richard's candid assessment, Betty fell silent for several seconds, processing the implications of his words.
"Did you know he was my ex-boyfriend from the beginning?" she finally asked.
"Yes, I was aware of your history before I approached you," Richard confirmed without hesitation.
Betty's expression grew more serious. "So you contacted me because of him?"
"Absolutely not," Richard replied firmly. "I approached you because you're beautiful and match my preferences perfectly. Even if Banner had never existed, I would have been drawn to you."
While Richard had originally learned about Betty through her connection to Banner, his interest in her had developed based on her own merits rather than any desire to hurt his eventual opponent. Though he couldn't deny that the "forbidden fruit" aspect of pursuing Banner's ex-girlfriend had added an extra layer of appeal.
"If you knew where he was, why didn't you tell me?" Betty asked, her voice carrying a note of reproach.
"For the simple reason that I'm a normal man with normal jealousies," Richard replied honestly. "I wasn't generous enough to reunite you with your lost love and then watch you leave me for him."
A slight smile crossed Betty's features at this admission. While she had never completely forgotten Banner, his years-long absence had created emotional distance between them. More importantly, her developing relationship with Richard had gradually filled the void Banner's departure had left in her heart.
If her feelings for Banner had remained unchanged, she would have immediately rushed into his arms upon seeing him again. Instead, she had remained by Richard's side.
After a moment of contemplation, Betty continued, "What do you plan to do about Banner? If my father learns he's returned, he'll certainly send teams to capture him."
Despite her evolved feelings, Betty still didn't want to see Banner fall into General Ross's hands. She understood all too well what her father was capable of when pursuing his objectives.
"Don't worry about that," Richard said calmly. "I'll handle your father and convince him to stop hunting Banner."
For most people, changing the mind of a determined military general would be an insurmountable challenge. For someone with Richard's abilities, it was as simple as taking a walk.
He could either visit the Pentagon and use telepathic manipulation, or demonstrate his power directly to General Ross. Either approach would achieve the desired result.
Betty didn't press for details about Richard's methods. After witnessing him defeat the Hulk with casual ease, she had developed complete confidence in his ability to solve seemingly impossible problems.
Evening
The three of them gathered around Betty's dining table for what turned out to be a surprisingly domestic dinner. In honor of Banner's return, Betty had prepared the meal herself rather than ordering takeout as she usually did.
While her culinary skills were merely adequate, the food was perfectly edible and carried the added value of being made with genuine care.
Banner sat across from Richard and Betty, stealing occasional glances at the couple while trying to process his complex emotions. If circumstances were different, he would have wanted Betty back in his life immediately. However, he understood that his condition made any normal relationship impossible.
Unless he could find a way to permanently cure his gamma radiation exposure, he couldn't subject Betty to the dangers that came with loving someone who could transform into a monster at any moment.
Betty, noticing Banner's gaunt appearance and obvious exhaustion, began asking about his experiences during the years of exile.
Banner answered her questions honestly, describing his nomadic existence in the slums of various cities, the constant need to avoid detection, and his survival through temporary employment and odd jobs.
Although he spoke matter-of-factly about his hardships, Betty could read between the lines. For someone who had spent his entire adult life in comfortable academic environments, the transition to life as a hunted fugitive must have been devastating.
As the evening progressed, they moved to the living room where the conversation continued in a more relaxed atmosphere.
"How exactly do you plan to convince General Ross to stop his pursuit?" Banner asked. "Are you going to threaten him directly?"
Richard shook his head slightly. "Using crude threats would be... inelegant. I have more sophisticated methods for changing his perspective."
Banner frowned thoughtfully. "What kind of methods?"
"You don't need to worry about the specifics," Richard replied evasively.
While he had already used telepathic manipulation on Banner during their earlier confrontation, Richard saw no reason to explain the full extent of his mental abilities to either Banner or Betty.
"If you don't want to discuss it, that's fine," Banner said, rising from his chair. "I should probably get some rest anyway. You two can continue your conversation."
Despite his words, Banner wasn't particularly tired. He had spent several hours sleeping in the guest room earlier and felt relatively refreshed. His real motivation for leaving was simple: he couldn't bear to watch Richard and Betty interact as a couple any longer.
Both Richard and Betty understood his true reasons for retreating, but neither pressed the issue.
Once Banner had disappeared into the guest room, Richard turned to Betty. "I'm going to pay your father a visit. I'll be back shortly."
"Alright," Betty agreed without question.
Under her watchful gaze, Richard activated his teleportation ability and vanished from the living room.
Less Than a Minute Later
Richard reappeared in Betty's living room, having completed his mission with characteristic efficiency.
"You've already seen my father?" Betty asked with surprise. "That was incredibly fast."
"The conversation went well," Richard replied with satisfaction. "He won't be sending anyone after Banner anymore."
During his brief absence, Richard had teleported to the airspace above the Pentagon and located General Ross using his enhanced senses. A single telepathic intervention had been sufficient to implant the necessary subconscious commands.
Rather than erasing Ross's memories—which might have created noticeable gaps in his recollection—Richard had instead planted a deep psychological aversion to pursuing Banner. The general would gradually lose interest in the gamma radiation project and find other priorities to occupy his attention.
Because the influence operated at a subconscious level, Ross would never question the change in his thinking. As far as he would be concerned, abandoning the Banner manhunt would seem like his own rational decision.
Betty didn't ask for details about Richard's methods. Instead, she approached him and wrapped her arms around his neck, initiating a passionate kiss that conveyed her gratitude more effectively than words ever could.
Richard willingly reciprocated her affection, encircling her waist with his arms before using his teleportation ability to transport them both to the master bedroom.
Within moments, the sounds of their intimate celebration began echoing through the house.
While Betty attempted to moderate her voice out of consideration for their houseguest, some aspects of passion proved impossible to control completely.
Meanwhile - Guest Room
For Richard and Betty, the evening had developed into a perfect conclusion to an eventful day.
For Banner, however, the night proved considerably more challenging.
Despite being located on the first floor while the master bedroom was on the second, the house's acoustics made it impossible for him to ignore the sounds of Richard and Betty's reunion.
Banner lay in the guest room bed, staring at the ceiling while trying to process the reality of his situation. The woman he had never stopped loving was now in the arms of another man—a man who possessed the power to solve problems that Banner himself was helpless to address.
It was a bitter reminder of how completely his life had changed since the gamma radiation accident, and how many doors that transformation had permanently closed.