Chapter 308: A Director Look-Alike at the Gala
"This isn't like you," Hobbs scoffed at Ron's words.
"No, this is exactly like me. Have a pleasant journey." With that, Ron hung up and left the room. Sheldon was sitting alone in his living room playing his handheld console, still wearing his unchanging uniform: a superhero T-shirt over a long-sleeved shirt.
Ron frowned. "I don't think you're dressed for a gala."
"Sheldon doesn't waste his time at such frivolous gatherings. Tell President Siebert that Dr. Cooper believes the most valuable use of his precious time is applying his unparalleled intellect to unveil the mysteries of nature and witness the fundamental laws of the universe."
"Witness the fundamental laws of the universe? I bet you wouldn't dare tell your mother that, but are you really sure that's your plan for tonight?" Ron shrugged. "If I remember correctly, today is Saturday. Isn't Saturday laundry day? So you'd rather stay home and do laundry than attend a gala?"
"Okay, don't mention that. Talk about unveiling mysteries and such."
Ron smirked, deciding to ignore him completely.
In the ballroom, Ron was immediately greeted by President Siebert as soon as he entered. "Welcome, Ron, our newest benefactor to Caltech! Let me introduce you to a new friend, a titan in the global telecommunications industry and a renowned philanthropist, Mr. Valentine."
President Siebert introduced Ron to a bespectacled Black man. "He's a distinguished alumnus of Caltech. While still a student, he invented several telecommunications technologies and founded his own company. Now he's dedicated to environmental causes. You've arrived at just the right time—Mr. Valentine is currently sharing his environmental vision with us."
"Really? But I'm more interested in Mr. Valentine's technology." Ron seemed uninterested in the topic, but his eyes inadvertently glanced at Valentine's female assistant.
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but Ron felt that this unassuming assistant seemed to exude a dangerous aura.
Well, maybe it was because of Hobbs's phone call earlier—he was perhaps being a bit paranoid. Before the assistant could meet his gaze, he quickly focused his attention on the Black philanthropist.
But as soon as he saw the man's face clearly, he was immediately taken aback. The resemblance was uncanny. It was simply...
Ron had believed for more than twenty years that there were no supernatural powers in the world—at most unusual abilities like certain rare individuals possessed, which weren't particularly extraordinary. He had also confirmed that there was no company called Stark Industries in the United States.
So this Nick Fury look-alike's presence was unsettling.
What was going on here? Fortunately, Ron's years of experience allowed him to maintain a calm demeanor despite his inner confusion. "Mr. Valentine, is it? What do you think of S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D." Valentine was caught off guard by Ron's abrupt question. He thought for a moment. "If you're talking about Marvel Comics, I'm neutral on that organization. However, I do have a stronger affinity for another character named Thanos."
Valentine turned to the crowd and continued promoting his philosophy. "His environmental philosophy aligns with mine. The reason our world faces these problems today is, ultimately, because we have too many people.
You know me—money has never been my concern. I could have retired when I left Caltech, found a private island to live comfortably, and let the business run itself. Nobody asked me to save the world. This was something I had to do myself—lobbying politicians, funding research. But after all these years, do you know what I've realized?"
"When you contract a virus, you develop a fever. This is your body's way of killing the virus by raising its core temperature. The Earth is the same. Global warming is like the Earth running a fever, and humanity is the virus. We're the ones making the planet sick..."
Valentine was still passionately delivering his speech to those around him, while Ron quietly moved away. The famous Director Nick Fury wasn't at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, but instead was out promoting environmentalism.
This made Ron wonder if this was some bizarro-world situation.
Of course, Ron didn't actually believe this was the real Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. He'd already rationalized it. Director Nick Fury was blind in one eye, and the "Director" before him was at most a look-alike.
He didn't even have the iconic eyepatch. What kind of "Director" was he? Besides, Ron had even met Stan Lee at Comic-Con. Why would he be afraid of a character from his comics?
Over there, President Siebert, having also excused himself from Valentine's lecture, greeted the scientists who'd just entered—three out of four, one missing. "My brilliant minds are here... Where's Dr. Cooper?"
"My brother said he's unveiling the mysteries of nature, witnessing the fundamental laws of the universe. As his brother, I apologize on his behalf." Ron clinked glasses with President Siebert apologetically.
"The administration believes he has a beautiful mind, but I think that's just wishful thinking," President Siebert shrugged. "Actually, I also need to apologize to you. I was just about to take your friends to meet some other donors."
Ron gestured for them to go ahead.
President Siebert led the three of them to an elderly woman. "Mrs. Latham, these are three outstanding young scholars from our institution..."
Just as Ron was about to join them, his phone buzzed.
Ron glanced at the caller ID, frowned slightly, but still found a quiet alcove to answer. "Mr. Holmes, I don't think our relationship is cordial enough for casual phone calls, is it? Perhaps that's more your brother's style."
"I wouldn't be calling if it weren't for something significant, but I need to remind you—I was the one who cleaned up the mess you left in Scotland last time. A gentleman should at least have a grateful heart, wouldn't you agree?"
"Please. You were the one who told me to do that, to make things as disruptive as possible. Wasn't that what you said? If you don't remember, I happen to have a recording of that call. Would you like to hear it?"
Ron began his denial. Of course he had the recording, but he and Mycroft both understood that Mycroft only meant for him to provoke those Scottish officials, not to incite an independence movement.
Now, because of Ron's impulsive escalation, the British government had to expend considerable resources suppressing the stirred-up nationalist sentiment, leaving Mycroft fuming.
The original intention of requesting Ron's assistance was to avoid unnecessary complications, but things had only gotten worse. Even more frustrating, Ron's defense was technically valid!
However, now wasn't the time to dwell on this issue.
Mycroft suppressed his irritation. "That won't be necessary. I have something else urgent to discuss..."
(End of Chapter)
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