AMERICAN COMICS: GWEN HAS FALLEN FOR THE ICE-ICE FRUIT!
AC: Gwen has fallen for the ice-ice fruit!
Change Hao ren to Ethan
Continue from ice ice fruit in marvel (WebNovel)
Chapter 69: Agent Hill's Late-Night Sacrifice for a Deal
Raven stood to the side, the corners of her mouth twitching as she barely suppressed a laugh; this man's ability to spin lies was becoming truly masterful.
Only she knew exactly where the core genetic formulas in Ethan's hands had come from.
They were the life's work of Dr. Connors.
Back then, HYDRA had poured massive amounts of cold hard cash and resources into sponsoring Dr. Connors, allowing him to refine the gene-strengthening serum step-by-step to a Realm approaching perfection.
"I am well aware of Mr. Hao's rules for doing business."
Agent Hill quickly composed herself, her tone becoming exceptionally cold.
Logically, having received such a massive physical enhancement, she should have been ecstatic.
The smile on Raven's lips deepened.
However, no matter how one looked at it, that smile carried a chill that sent shivers down one's spine.
"Don't misunderstand, this is merely a small token of our Osborn Group's goodwill—consider it a free trial sample for S.H.I.E.L.D. to get a taste."
Raven spoke up before Ethan could, her voice crisp but devoid of any emotion.
"After all, the production capacity of our Super Soldier line is quite limited. If S.H.I.E.L.D. truly wants to make a bulk purchase, we'd be happy to oblige, but the processing fees... well, they would certainly be an astronomical figure."
Agent Hill's sharp eyes stared intently at Raven's beautiful and moving Face.
She truly lived up to her reputation as the woman known as the 'Ice Demon'; as the Group's Vice President, this predatory style of doing business certainly fit her title.
Looking at the man and woman before her, Agent Hill took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in her heart.
Although the previous Mutant conflict seemed to have settled down on the surface,
Intelligence gathered by S.H.I.E.L.D. through secret channels indicated that the situation was far from calm.
Many hidden power players were taking advantage of the chaos to frantically recruit stray Mutants to serve as their muscle.
These wealthy factions were not only offering tempting high salaries but even promising political asylum, drawing countless Mutants to flock to them.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s originally transcendent status was facing unprecedented shocks and challenges.
Though the agency employed many Agents with superpowers,
Faced with the impending chaotic era, no one could guarantee that S.H.I.E.L.D. would still be able to control the overall situation as it had before.
If they could have their highly loyal Agents injected with the serum to become Super Soldiers, it would be a qualitative leap for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s combat power.
The so-called limited slots were nothing more than the usual trick of a profiteer hiking up prices.
"As long as the Osborn Group is willing to help us create Super Soldiers, S.H.I.E.L.D. is willing to pay any sufficient price. However, we have one prerequisite: Osborn's Super Soldier modification service must be exclusive to S.H.I.E.L.D."
Agent Hill appeared exceptionally calm and collected, attempting to seize the initiative in the negotiation.
"Hill, we're all adults here. You know such an exclusivity agreement is absolutely impossible to reach."
Raven flatly refused, leaving no room for discussion.
Ethan remained silent at this moment, acting like an outsider.
He simply wore a playful smile, watching the drama unfold with great interest.
What the people at S.H.I.E.L.D. feared most was the proliferation of serum technology.
After all, once superpowered individuals became rampant, social instability would grow exponentially.
No matter how much ordinary people struggled, their destructive power was ultimately limited and couldn't cause much of a stir.
"Sometimes, the price we can pay is far more precious than a pile of colorful banknotes."
Agent Hill did not get angry at being rejected.
As an Advanced Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., she knew very well that the resources and intelligence networks she controlled were wealth that ordinary people couldn't even imagine.
"I'm terribly sorry, but I'm quite a vulgar person; what I love most in this life really is money."
Ethan sighed with feigned regret.
This one sentence instantly smashed the trump card AgentHill had prepared into pieces.
"We will give you the money, but I warn you, you must strictly control the number of modifications!"
Agent Hill gritted her teeth, her gaze cutting into Ethanlike a knife.
"Raven is the one in charge of the Osborn Group now. You'll have to talk to her about business matters; I've never been one to meddle in specific operations."
Ethan spread his hands, looking like a rogue who was unable to help.
A winner's smile appeared on Raven's Face.
This was Ethan giving her full Face in front of outsiders, as well as an expression of absolute trust in her abilities.
Agent Hill couldn't help but complain frantically in her heart.
If Natasha could have stayed by Ethan's side back then, even if she had to use a honey trap to tie him down, the current Osborn Group would have long been S.H.I.E.L.D.'s strongest backbone.
The figure of Tony Stark involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
Though they took different paths, with the fire support of the Iron Man armor, they might not necessarily be unable to go toe-to-toe with a future genetic army.
Raven and Agent Hill's gazes met in the air, as if one could hear the crackling of sparks.
The scene shifted to a luxury Villa in Central Park.
Ethan was lazily sunk into a soft sofa, his posture comfortable to the extreme.
This was his favorite sofa; lying on it felt like being wrapped in clouds.
Tonight, Young Miss Gwen Stacy had clearly sent a message saying she was feeling unwell and needed to rest, so she wouldn't be coming over to spend the night.
As for the Phoenix, Jean Grey, who lived in the Long Island Villa, although the telepathic connection between them had never broken,
She had recently taken that ice ship on a long journey, even leaving the borders of the USA.
This Phoenix wanted to see the most barren and backward corners of Earth, to experience the most real and cruel side of this World.
Just then, a knock with a unique rhythm broke the silence.
Agent Hill, draped in a heavy trench coat, stood outside the door taking several deep breaths, trying to adjust her facial expression.
Since she had come, she had to take something back with her.
This was one of her core goals for stepping through Osborn's doors tonight.
To walk through this door, she had already thrown her pitiful sense of shame to the back of her mind.
Fortunately, the harvest was tangible; she had finally achieved her wish and become a Super Soldier.
With her top-tier Agent fighting skills combined with the physical boost of a Super Soldier, if it really came to a fight, her combat power probably wouldn't lose to the legendary Captain Steve Rogers.
But Agent Hill knew perfectly well in her heart,
In front of the man known as the 'Ice Demon', her bit of strength was still as fragile as a child who hadn't grown up.
The door was pushed open gently as if by an invisible palm, without any external contact.
This scene made Agent Hill's heart skip a beat, and she silently made a mental note.
In S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top-secret files on the 'Ice Demon', there was never any record of him having the ability to move objects from a distance.
The earliest files showed that the most terrifying thing about this guy wasn't just his freezing ability, but that horrifying defensive power that seemed like an immortal body, as if no attack could cause him harm.
Ethan had already decanted the red wine and elegantly poured a glass, handing it to Agent Hill in a very friendly manner.
"Hill, welcome to my humble abode. Make yourself at home."
Looking at the bright-smiling, sunny, and handsome guy before her, who looked like the boy next door,
Even a veteran Agent like Hill, who was used to seeing great storms, couldn't help but feel a bit dazed at this moment.
In that instant, she actually couldn't tell if the person standing before her was a demon who killed without blinking or just an ordinary student.
Hill gently swirled the goblet in her hand and took a small sip: "The wine is good, high quality."
"To be honest, I don't have much deep knowledge of red wine, but the taste of this bottle of Romanee-Conti is indeed much better than the horse piss I've drunk before."
Ethan said with a smile, his tone carrying a sense of casualness.
"Mr. Hao, you should be very clear about the purpose of my late-night visit."
Agent Hill stared at Ethan with piercing eyes, her gaze carrying an aggressive Aura.
She was someone who was unwilling to bow her head easily in her bones.
Although this private deal felt somewhat shameful, in order to get that demon's promise, she had no choice.
"If it's about follow-up cooperation regarding the Super Soldier serum, I believe Raven is fully capable of making the final decision."
Ethan replied nonchalantly.
"No, you know that's not what I mean. What I want is a devil's bargain!!!"
Agent Hill slowly unbuttoned her trench coat. As the coat slid down, inside was actually a set of wild and seductive leopard-print lingerie.
Ethan narrowed his eyes at Agent Hill before him.
Listening to the requests she made,
He could even keenly capture that sense of tragic sacrifice deep within her heart.
That's right, this was a thorough sacrifice.
It was confusion about the future, an extreme thirst for power, and the determination to uphold the beliefs in her heart at any cost.
For the path she had chosen, she was overdrawing every chip she could pay.
What she sought was merely the hope that this man would stop his destructive hands, or perhaps extend a helping hand when that despairing future arrived.
Suddenly, a ripple of emotion stirred in Ethan's hardened heart.
"Why push yourself to this point, Hill?"
Ethan sighed softly, his tone actually carrying a hint of sentiment from having experienced many vicissitudes, which didn't sound like the mindset a young man should have at all.
After all, before Transmigration, his psychological age had long passed the forty-year-old mark of being 'without doubts.'
Thus, his Soul was mature, but this young and vigorous body caused his hormones to frequently go out of control, leading to his personality appearing so volatile.
But at this moment, Ethan felt a spark of sincere respect for this woman who was willing to sacrifice herself for her faith.
In the original Marvel Cinematic Universe, Agent Hill truly paid the price of her life during the Secret Invasion event.
At that time, she had already taken on the heavy burden of being the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director.
"Since I've already come this far, when I decided to take off these clothes, I didn't plan on putting them back on with my purity intact."
This could perhaps be seen as a special mission, but personally stripping away one's dignity was the hardest hurdle for a human heart to cross.
Agent Hill looked directly at the handsome 'Ice Demon' before her.
His speed of rise was startlingly fast, and he was filled with unpredictable uncertainty from head to toe.
If he were truly an irredeemable bastard, S.H.I.E.L.D. would find a way to completely eradicate him, even if they had to sacrifice their last man.
But as it happened, this 'Ice Demon' wasn't a purely evil sort.
Although he had caused many disasters, every time he acted, it seemed to carry a very strong sense of purpose.
Agent Hill had carefully studied his growth trajectory; what truly worried her wasn't his faithless destruction of the Vatican,
But that attack on the harbor.
As for destroying the carrier strike group, that was a life-and-death war; no one would expect an enemy to be soft-hearted.
Chapter 70: Ethan Reveals the Secret of the Infinity Stones
But that indiscriminate attack on the harbor had indeed crossed Hill's bottom line.
However, when intelligence showed that Ethan had willingly stepped into a nuclear trap to save a friend and took a nuclear blast head-on...
Agent Hill's perception of him had undergone a subtle change.
In her eyes, this so-called "Ice Demon" seemed more like a child using powerful force to disguise a fragile heart.
But the mature mindset Ethan was showing now made Agent Hill's feelings exceptionally complex.
She felt as if she were seeing a man of her age, or even more mature, observing her with a scrutinizing gaze.
This made her deeply suspicious of the true identity of the man before her.
Is this guy really only eighteen years old?
Or is there an old Soul that has weathered many storms hidden beneath this young and fresh skin?
"In your eyes, do I count as a good person or a bad person?"
Ethan suddenly asked Agent Hill out of the blue.
He didn't get up to pour Hill a drink, but simply looked at her like that.
"You know, in my many years as an Agent, I've seen as many people as there are fish in a river, but what I've seen most are those gray characters swaying between black and white."
Agent Hill seemed moved by the scene and said with emotion, "They have a side where humanity shines and a dark, evil side, but more people ultimately step onto the point of no return, hurting others for the sake of profit."
She reached out herself, took the bottle of red wine from in front of Ethan, and poured herself a glass.
She tilted her head back and drained the glass in one gulp; the alcohol took effect quickly, making her feel warm all over as a surge of heat rushed to her heart.
"Yeah, there's no right or wrong in the adult World; it's all about the word 'profit'."
Ethan nodded in agreement.
"But I've always felt that I'm a very good person."
Ethan's boastful words directly amused Agent Hill, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud.
However, she quickly realized the occasion was inappropriate and hurriedly suppressed her smile.
She stood there awkwardly, at a loss for what to do with her hands.
One must know, she had spent a long time mentally preparing herself before gathering the courage to put on this set of lingerie with an off-the-charts embarrassment level.
"What, you don't believe me?"
Ethan continued to gaze at her quietly.
"You feel that everything that happened this year has changed a lot, but I can tell you responsibly that this is merely the beginning of a tragedy. In a future catastrophe, your S.H.I.E.L.D. will lose utterly. Half of the global population will evaporate in an instant, and half of all living beings in the Universe will have the traces of their existence completely erased, all because an environmentalist snapped his fingers."
Ethan had a faint smile on his face, his gaze unhesitatingly roaming over Agent Hill's perfect, genetically modified body.
This level of genetic optimization was more natural and shocking than any plastic surgery could ever be.
Although sexiness is just a layer of skin, humans, as visual animals, have the pursuit and appreciation of beauty etched into their very bones as an instinct.
Ethan never denied that he was a vulgar man.
He naturally knew how to appreciate the unique scenery before him.
Different women have different charms; savoring different lives—this was the lifestyle he wanted.
The System was just a guiding tool, constantly reminding him not to go for that Pure Love Warrior nonsense, and even less to be a lowly 'Simp'.
"Are you joking with me?"
Agent Hill's expression instantly became serious.
"You guys went to great lengths to dig up Captain Americaand revive him, so you surely grabbed the Tesseract as well. You only know it's a treasure containing cosmic-level energy, but you have no idea just how dangerous that thing really is, do you?"
Ethan patted the empty spot on the sofa beside him.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Agent Hill's face, but in the end, she didn't refuse and obediently sat down next to Ethan.
Ethan attentively filled her glass with red wine again.
"Want to know the true Origin of the Tesseract?"
"I'm all ears."
Agent Hill nodded, her curiosity piqued.
The Tesseract had been in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s hands for nearly seventy years.
Back during World War II, Captain America snatched this thing from Red Skull and flew a plane into the Antarctic.
As a result, the Tesseract's energy went out of control and burned through the plane's floor, falling into the deep sea, where it was later recovered by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s predecessor organization.
As for where this thing actually came from, Agent Hill was completely in the dark.
S.H.I.E.L.D. itself hadn't really figured it out either.
From Howard Stark's era until now in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secret underground Base, everyone has been studying how to utilize the infinite energy within it.
"You should have heard of the Big Bang, right?"
"What does this have to do with the Big Bang?"
"Scientists have confirmed the Universe was born from a big bang, but what you don't know is that the Tesseractwas actually forged from the essence of six singularities containing infinite energy from before the Big Bang."
"Wait, you said six singularity essences? You mean there are a total of six cubes of this level?"
Agent Hill's expression became more solemn than ever before.
She knew the Tesseract's destructive power all too well.
If such a thing fell into the hands of someone with ill intentions, it would be an absolute catastrophe for all of humanity.
Back in World War II, Red Skull almost used this thing to create infinite energy weapons and turn the tide.
If Captain America hadn't risked his life to stop him, who knows what the World's power structure would look like today.
"That blue cube you see with your naked eye is actually just a shell protecting the Space Stone. Those six remaining singularity essences represent the most primal infinite energy in the Universe."
Ethan raised his wine glass in a gesture.
The two of them lightly clinked glasses, making a crisp sound.
The originally awkward atmosphere in the air gradually became relaxed and comfortable.
At the very least, Agent Hill's state of mind was no longer as tense as it was a moment ago.
"The Tesseract is essentially the Space Stone. It not only possesses infinite energy but also represents the power of the Law of Space. If used properly, it can break through spatial barriers and open portals anytime, anywhere."
Ethan looked at Agent Hill meaningfully.
Agent Hill frowned slightly.
Besides wanting to use it to build weapons, S.H.I.E.L.D.had indeed been researching how to correctly open portals.
"Besides this Space Stone, there are five other Infinity Stones, also known as Infinity Gems. Each of them contains incredible energy. If someone could gather all six stones and fuse their energies together, they could realize any wish with just a single thought."
Ethan sipped his red wine as images from 'Avengers: Infinity War' surfaced in his mind.
"So you're saying that in the future, someone gathers the stones and snaps their fingers just to make a wish to kill half of the living beings in the Universe?"
Agent Hill felt this was simply too absurd.
Chapter 71: System Activates Infinity Stones Mission, Encountering Domino
"If it weren't for a variable like me, this would be a set-in-stone future."
Ethan smiled even more brightly.
At this very moment.
The System, which had been playing dead for a long time, finally came back to life:
[Infinity Stones Collection Mission Activated: For every Infinity Stone collected, reward one Golden Blind Box. Missions do not stack. Collect all six to receive an additional Black Blind Box on top of the Golden Blind Boxes. Current Progress: (0/6)]
The mission had finally appeared.
The System was clearly setting him up for a direct confrontation with Thanos.
If Ethan's memory served him right, there should be three stones on Earth right now.
Sorcerer Ancient One held the Time Stone in her hand.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was keeping the Space Stone.
And then there's the Reality Stone, also known as the Aether Particle; it should still be dormant somewhere underground in Britain.
"You really are full of mysterious self-confidence."
Agent Hill didn't doubt Ethan's ability to change the course of the battle in the slightest.
This man's power was as unfathomable as an abyss, always preventing anyone from reaching the bottom.
He was the most terrifying existence she had ever seen in her life.
"That's why I'm a good person. The future me will definitely step in to save all of you, but when the time comes, it'll depend on whether it's you or Natasha who comes to beg me to fulfill this promise."
Ethan casually set down his wine glass.
Agent Hill composed herself and also...
The potential contained within the Kryptonian Bloodlinewas truly too domineering and terrifying.
Even if human genes acquired extraordinary traits through Fusion with a Devil Fruit, they would still find it hard to hold a candle to it.
Ethan's figure was still darting through the air at high speed; in the next second, he transformed into an aurora invisible to the naked eye and vanished into thin air.
When the particles reassembled in Central Park, he emitted a faint glow, looking like a descending deity.
Boundless telepathic power instantly spread out like a tide, silently warping the perception of the surrounding pedestrians, causing them to turn a blind eye to this suddenly appearing man.
With the System as his trump card, whether it was the top-tier Kryptonian Physique or the currently basic Baji Mizong Fist, both could theoretically achieve infinite evolution by spending points.
The only difference between the two was simply the cost-performance ratio of their growth.
As long as he accumulated enough desire points and vast wealth points, anything was possible.
Ethan could even roar in his heart, "Deep Blue, add points!" to experience the thrill of becoming stronger instantly.
This simple and crude method could still build a peerless, invincible existence.
Strolling through Central Park in the early morning, Ethan's leisurely aura seemed out of place among the surrounding crowds of hurried morning exercisers.
He wore only a thin shirt, blending into the flow of people with a pleasant curve at the corners of his mouth.
Just then, a Black man in a hoodie sneakily approached him.
A muzzle as hard as iron pressed firmly against the small of Ethan's back through his clothes, carrying a trace of icy chill.
The robber lowered his voice, his tone fierce: "If you don't want to die, don't scream. Just keep walking."
Ethan suppressed the sense of absurdity in his heart, almost laughing out loud on the spot.
"Buddy, I don't even have a penny on me. I even left my phone at home to get up early. I'm afraid you've picked the wrong person if you want to strike it rich."
The luck of robbers these days is truly something; instead of robbing easy targets, he had to run into a brick wall like me.
Standing before you isn't just Superman, but the dreaded Ice Demon!
"Cut the crap. I've already scouted the place. I know you just bought that mansion from the star player Abel, right across the street."
Hearing this, Ethan frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure rising in his heart.
His movements had always been secretive; how did these punks figure it out?
It seemed someone had leaked the news, likely that loudmouth Abel bragging while drunk at a party, overheard by someone with intentions.
Telepathic power instantly pierced the other person's cerebral cortex like a needle, reading the fleeting memory fragments.
Sure enough, the news had spread within that chaotic circle.
This unlucky fellow had been lurking outside the Villa area for days without a chance to strike; today he had just come to the park to try his luck, hoping to catch a fat sheep to fleece.
As luck would have it, he ran straight into the man himself.
The guy even knew that Ethan's public identity was the Chairman of the Osborn Group.
Just as Ethan was about to use mental suggestion to make this reckless fool go far away and end himself, an unexpected change occurred.
A fair yet powerful hand suddenly reached out from the side, clamping onto the robber's wrist like lightning.
Following that was a beautiful grapple, and the handgun instantly changed hands.
"My intuition is always spot on. It told me that taking a stroll in the park today would definitely bring unexpected good luck."
A lazy and magnetic female voice sounded in his ear.
What met his eyes was a mixed-race beauty with a hot figure and a sweet appearance; it was she who had stepped in to resolve this farce.
Seeing things go south, the robber didn't even care about his gun and slunk away into the woods.
Ethan feigned being flattered: "Thank you so much, Young Miss. If it weren't for you, I would have been in big trouble today."
Domino tossed her signature black afro and gave a captivating smile: "Don't mention it, handsome."
Her skin tone wasn't that of a traditional Black person, but a healthy bronze mixed with Latin flair, glowing charmingly in the sunlight.
Standing at an estimated height of 175cm, her muscular lines were tight and smooth, clearly a perfect Physiqueforged through long-term high-intensity exercise.
Domino nimbly put away the captured handgun, her eyes sizing up Ethan playfully.
"Handsome, my good luck led me to you. To be honest, I came to New York at that guy Wade's request. I'm looking for information on a girl named Outlaw. Do you have any leads?"
Looking at the fiery woman before him, her files instantly surfaced in Ethan's mind.
Isn't this the female lead from Deadpool 2?
A true bug-level existence in the Marvel Universe, a Mutant pampered like a biological daughter by Lady Luck—Lucky Domino.
"Then you've really asked the right person. I know exactly where Ines is."
The Wade she mentioned was undoubtedly that loudmouthed Deadpool.
The previous Agent X team had already been conveniently wiped out by him, but the relationship between these mercenaries and Deadpool had always been intricate.
After all, Wade was famous in the circle and had even personally formed X-Force, with Domino being one of the core members.
Calculating by the timeline, if X-Force has already been established, then Cable should have already transmigrated here from the future.
Chapter 72: Ice Demon Invites Lucky Domino to Join
Something's not right; this timeline is a bit messy.
The last time Red Tank was caught was during the events of X-Men: The Last Stand; it seems the current plot hasn't fully unfolded yet.
The parallel Universes and timelines of the Marvel Universe are already a chaotic mess; no one can say for sure what will happen next.
Perhaps everything is evolving toward the general direction of the Avengers' ultimate battle?
"That would be fantastic! Handsome sir, could I trouble you to take me to see Ines?"
Domino blinked her large eyes, making her request with a face full of anticipation.
Ethan sighed softly. "Meeting me is indeed the greatest stroke of luck in your life."
With his current strength, even if Domino's luck was Heaven-Defying, killing her would be as easy as snapping his fingers.
But since she had just "saved" him, Ethan wasn't cold-blooded enough to strike down his savior.
Since he had become her luck, he might as well let her become his "luck" too.
At that thought, Ethan naturally reached out and wrapped an arm around Domino's slender waist.
Domino was stunned, clearly not expecting this man she had just met to be so bold.
Before she could regain her senses, she felt her feet leave the ground, and she was soaring into the sky as if riding on clouds.
The wind howled past, the speed so great that she couldn't even keep her eyes open.
"We're here."
After only a few seconds, the sound of the wind in her ears stopped, and Ethan released his arm.
Up close, he was even more certain that this wild Physiqueperfectly suited his aesthetic.
Domino opened her eyes, still shaken, then burst into a hearty laugh. "Wow! Buddy, did I save the wrong person just now? That little punk who tried to rob you was the real lucky one, wasn't he?"
Ethan stood before the floor-to-ceiling window with his hands in his pockets, bathed in sunlight, looking as dazzling as a deity.
"I can't say if he was lucky or unlucky either. After all, he targeted the helmsman of the Osborn Group—the Ice Demon, who is secretly hated to the core by both the Church and the Military."
He turned around with a smile as warm as a spring breeze, yet his words were spine-chilling.
Domino understood the subtext; her eyes widened, and her mouth hung open in shock.
But she quickly adjusted her mindset; after all, her luck had never led her into a dead end.
"Regardless, I did save you back there. Even if you are the famous Ice Demon, surely you wouldn't return kindness with enmity and kill me?"
Domino laughed lightheartedly, her smile as bright as a blooming sunflower.
"There are only two outcomes for those who know my dual identity: they either become comrades fighting by my side, or they become corpses. Which one would you like to choose, Young Miss Domino?"
"It would be an absolute honor to be your friend."
Facing Ethan's outstretched hand, Domino didn't hesitate for a second, placing her palm in his with a smile.
Ethan traced a circle in the void with his hand; golden sparks instantly splattered, constructing a deep spatial portal.
Through the ring of light, the office at the top of the Oscorp Tower could be seen.
Holding Domino's hand, he stepped through space and returned directly to his own territory.
"Is this also one of your superpowers?"
Watching the golden ring of light slowly dissipate behind them, Domino was as curious as a child visiting the city for the first time.
"This thing is called a sling ring. It's a small gift from Sorcerer Supreme Ancient One. You can think of it as a form of magic."
Ethan patiently explained.
"magic? magic actually exists in this World!"
Domino felt that this trip to New York had truly opened her eyes; the Goddess of Luck certainly hadn't deceived her.
"I think your Physique is quite special. If I recommended you to Sorcerer Ancient One to study at Kamar-Taj, she would surely be delighted."
Hearing this, Domino immediately gave an exaggerated ninety-degree bow. "Please, boss, you must introduce me!"
The snowy-white cleavage revealed by her neckline swayed with her movement, making one's head spin.
Ethan was amused, and pressed the intercom on his desk. "Julia, notify Ines and Sandy from the Security Department to come to my office immediately."
"Thank you so much, sir. Oh, and to formally introduce myself, everyone calls me Lucky Domino."
Domino was now completely relaxed, showing no restraint despite being in the lion's den.
Her womanly intuition told her that the excessively handsome man before her bore no ill will.
The Ice Demon, rumored to be cruel and violent, didn't seem so terrifying after all.
"Have a seat. They'll be here soon."
Ethan sat back in his large office chair and picked up a document. "If you don't mind, I need to handle some business first."
"Go ahead with your work; just act like I'm not here."
Domino curled up obediently on the sofa like a gentle kitten.
"Actually, I'm quite interested in the Wade you mentioned. I heard his self-healing ability was copied from Wolverine Logan?"
Ethan chatted casually while signing documents with a flourish.
"I'm not entirely clear on Wade's situation, but he's an interesting guy. It's just that his mouth is too annoying; you probably wouldn't be able to stand him."
Domino blinked, recalling that pervert in the red spandex suit.
She hadn't been with X-Force for long; her original intention was purely to make a living and find a decent job.
But the X-Men haven't been having an easy time lately either.
Following the Battle of Alcatraz, Mutants suffered heavy casualties. With the promotion of the "Cure," many of their kind chose to return to normal lives.
Sometimes Domino wondered if her "good luck" even counted as a superpower.
After all, it was too mysterious—invisible and intangible.
"But Wade has been much more low-key lately. Without his powers to suppress them, the cancer cells in his body could flare up and kill him at any moment."
At the mention of this, the smile on Domino's face faded slightly.
Since that great war, Deadpool has seemingly vanished from the face of the earth.
I heard Cable is hunting him across the globe, apparently because Wade stole some precious item of his.
If he gets caught, his legs will probably be broken.
"That's a pity. However, it won't be so easy for him to die. If he's willing to come to Osborn for help, our technology is more than enough to cure his cancer."
Ethan was in a great mood. Chatting with this beauty who carried her own aura of luck made even the air feel fresher.
This inexplicable sense of pleasure was likely a side effect of being favored by good luck.
"I heard Wade mention that Dr. Connors, who created the Lizard Monster, used to be an employee at Osborn?"
The fire of gossip burned brightly in Domino's heart.
"Dr. Connors' achievements in the field of genetics are indeed unparalleled. It's just a pity that the previous management was too eager for quick results and forced him to conduct human experiments before the technology was mature."
Ethan quickly scanned several experimental budget reports, explaining without looking up.
"At that time, he still had some conscience; he didn't use innocent bystanders as test subjects, but chose to inject the serum into himself instead."
Although authority has now been delegated to Raven, these core documents still appear on his desk without fail.
This is both a gesture of respect and a disguised form of restraint; Raven's methods are truly clever.
"That was too cruel for him, turning into that kind of monster—neither human nor ghost."
Domino couldn't help but sigh in sympathy.
"Cruel? Then you've misjudged him."
Ethan put down his pen, a playful smile playing on his lips.
"The current Dr. Connors is a high-ranking official of HYDRA and might even sit in an Elder's position in the future."
"He holds the key to unlocking the genetic lock. Backed by HYDRA's infinite resources, he has long since shifted his focus from transgenics to your Mutants' x-gene."
"He's currently figuring out how to mass-replicate your abilities through serums."
Chapter 73: Domino
Hearing these words, Domino jumped up from the sofa in shock: "HYDRA?! Wasn't that organization wiped out back in World War II?"
As a mercenary who frequented the Underworld, she was no stranger to this ancient history.
"That's just the surface. The current HYDRA is more terrifying than before; they lurk in all walks of life like parasites, and even many high-ranking politicians are their people."
Ethan stood up and turned his gaze toward the office door.
"Perfect timing, Ines and Sandy are here."
Just as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open, and the red-haired Sandy Brandenbourg burst in like a whirlwind.
When she saw the figure in tight leather on the sofa, the expression on her face became instantly priceless.
Beside her, Ines also frowned slightly, clearly not expecting to see an acquaintance here.
"Look who's here? Miss Good Luck, this surprise you've given us is quite something."
Sandy quickly adjusted her expression and walked forward with a smile.
"Hi! Sandy, Ines, long time no see! I missed you guys to death!"
Domino waved enthusiastically, completely ignoring the slight hint of awkwardness in the air.
"I'm living quite comfortably now, and to be honest, I didn't really want to see people from my past."
Ines curled her lip and glanced toward Ethan, seemingly confirming if it was the boss who had summoned this 'great deity' here.
"Ladies, this isn't the place to reminisce. I'll take you to a more comfortable place to chat slowly."
Ethan put on his sling ring again and skillfully drew a portal in the air.
Behind the door was the sea-view Villa located on Long Island; the scenery of blue sea and sky instantly filled the office with a vacation atmosphere.
This kind of operation, forcibly wielding magic with brute force, was something only a monster with vast magical power like him could pull off.
"Wow! No matter how many times I see it, this move is still cool as hell!"
Ines's eyes sparkled; although she saw him every day at the company, she was still shocked every time she saw the boss display a new ability.
"Thanks, Hao!"
Domino wasn't polite either and was the first to dive through the ring of light.
Sandy and Ines followed closely behind, and Ethan was the last to step through the portal, casually smoothing over the spatial rift.
"This house is really nice; I almost want to stay here and never leave."
Domino looked over the luxurious interior and couldn't help but let out a lament born of poverty.
"If you spent less money at the casino, you would have been able to afford one yourself long ago. Domino, gambling really will suck your good luck dry."
Sandy complained bluntly; she knew this girl's character all too well.
She had earned quite a lot of commission following Wadethrough life-and-death situations, only to throw it all away on the gambling table. Losing every time she gambled was truly a miracle.
"You don't understand. Lady Luck told me in a dream that it's to wash away the bad luck I accidentally picked up."
Domino talked nonsense with a straight face.
Her ability's setting was just that bizarre: she kept all the good luck for herself and dumped all the bad luck onto the people around her.
But in the matter of gambling, it seemed to backfire on her.
Ethan listened with secret amazement; this Dominotruly was a woman favored by fate, except that the people around her often suffered.
Back then, only a guy with a life as tough as Deadpool's would dare to take her in.
"Ladies, chat at your leisure. I'm going into the sea to catch some fresh ingredients for a special meal."
Ethan went upstairs to change into swim trunks, which his life assistant Julia had specifically prepared for him.
Gwen had gone back to school for classes these past few days, so he happened to be at leisure.
Although he often saw Ghost-Spider swinging through the skies of New York to punish evil, he had no intention of interfering.
The Underworld forces of New York were all keeping a low profile now, for fear of angering this newly ascended Dark Night Monarch.
Looking at Ethan's departing back, Domino couldn't help but swallow hard.
"Sisters, to be honest, the boss's physique is just cheating, isn't it?"
Those muscle lines, cast like steel, were full of masculine pheromones, making her heart race.
Sandy and Ines looked at each other and revealed ambiguous smiles that only women understand.
"Stop fangirling, Domino. Tell us your real purpose for coming to New York this time."
Sandy interrupted her fantasy and got straight to the point.
"Alright, mainly because the school is short on combat power. Colossus and Logan wanted to know if you were still alive and hoped you would return to the team."
Domino spread her hands; since she'd been seen through, there was no need to hide it.
"Thank them for their kindness for me, but we are now official employees of Osborn. It's impossible to return to that greenhouse of the Xavier School."
Ines's answer was firm.
What a joke. Living a divine life in a World of pleasure like New York, who would be willing to go back and suffer?
Backed by the great tree that was the Ice Demon, not only did no one dare to cause trouble, but the salary and benefits were so good they could make one cry.
They were now like canaries carefully raised by the boss, only needing to enjoy life.
"Fine, then I'll reply to Wade that way."
Domino pulled out her phone and began editing an email, with no intention of forcing the issue.
"Wait, why reply to Wade? He couldn't be in New York too, could he?"
Sandy keenly caught the keyword.
"No, he's missing, but he told me you were here, which is why I came looking."
Ethan was currently diving in the deep sea, like a free merman.
He purposely swam a bit further to leave enough private space for the three women to talk.
On a whim, he even teleported to the West Pacific and caught a bluefin tuna weighing several hundred pounds with his bare hands.
He also stopped by the cold seabed of the North Pacific to grab a few basin-sized king crabs.
By the time he returned to the Villa fully loaded, he happened to hear Domino screaming in shock at Osborn's employee benefits.
"Full medical reimbursement? Even plastic surgery is covered?! An annual salary of five million after tax?!"
Domino felt her worldview being shaken. This wasn't working; it was practically going to enjoy a life of luxury!
"I beg you, you must help me get in through the back door! I'm definitely taking this job!"
She was so excited she almost knelt down to her two sisters, but then she asked warily: "These benefits are too good to be true. You guys haven't been subjected to the boss's 'unspoken rules', have you?"
Ines rolled her eyes: "What are you thinking? X-Force was wiped out by the boss, and we almost became food for the Vampires."
"Even Duke Dracula's coffin lid was flipped. You tell me, is that thrilling or what?"
Sandy added from the side, still feeling a lingering fear when she recalled that night in the Vatican.
Domino was dumbfounded: "The boss wiped out the Vatican single-handedly? Heavens, that's just too cool!"
"Stop chatting and come out to work!"
Ethan's voice came from the yard.
The three women immediately stopped gossiping and walked out, swaying their hips.
In the yard, a grill condensed from ice was burning with an eternal flame.
Ethan was pulling seafood out of a sphere of water floating in mid-air; the scene was so magical it looked like a movie being filmed.
Chapter 74: Kryptonian Late-Night Benefits and the Tesseract
"I don't like too many seasonings; original flavor is the greatest respect for ingredients. You guys handle the crabs and lobsters, I'll slice this tuna."
Ethan smiled as he assigned tasks, his mood lifting as his gaze swept over the three beauties of different styles.
Sandy gave him a meaningful look, as if saying: Boss, we all understand what's on your mind.
Ethan didn't expose it either; after all, this seemed to have become a sort of tacit understanding.
The people around Deadpool are always so interesting; I wonder where that annoying guy is hiding now.
Most of this seafood feast ended up in Ethan's stomach.
A side effect of the Kryptonian Bloodline is an extreme sense of hunger, as if the body were a bottomless pit.
The three women were drinking red wine and chatting enthusiastically, leaving him, the main host, sidelined.
The night was deep and quiet.
Ethan lay on the large bed, watching the wriggling figure beside him.
Domino was really putting in effort, seemingly wanting to prove her worth this way.
As for Sandy and Ines, they had long since tactfully found their own rooms to rest.
In the middle of the night, Domino used the excuse of getting up to go to the bathroom and entering the wrong room, then naturally climbed into his bed.
This wasn't going to the wrong room; it was clearly a home delivery.
With a thought from Ethan, a translucent System panel appeared before his eyes.
Host: Ethan
wealth points: 83.93675 billion points (the massive number shimmered with golden light)
desire points: 612.1 million points (the key to a Breakthrough in Realm)
Bloodline: Kryptonian Bloodline (First-order genetic lockopened), Human Race Bloodline (Third-order genetic lockopened)
Ability Bar: Mastery of the full Origin of the Ice-Ice Fruit, Mera Mera no Mi, and Glint-Glint Fruit; Mind Dominatorand Water Control Magic have reached the Transcendentstate.
Kryptonian skills like Steel Body, Super Flight, and Heat Vision have all reached the Peak state.
Looking at the slightly increasing desire points, Ethannodded with satisfaction.
Although Domino's Physique wasn't as tough as the two modified Mutants, she had a unique charm in certain aspects.
"Domino, report to Raven at the lab tomorrow. I've specially authorized you to be injected with the super soldier serum."
Ethan stroked her smooth back and softly made the promise.
The lab was already studying Sandy and the others' genes, improving potions specifically for Mutant Physiques.
For Domino, this was undoubtedly a massive blessing.
"Mm..."
Domino responded groggily, a satisfied smile hanging on the corners of her mouth.
It turned out that losing herself to the casino for charity really could bring good luck.
...
At this moment, in distant Asgard.
On the terrace of the magnificent palace, Thor Odinson stood alone.
The Bifrost Bridge had broken, and at the fracture was the bottomless abyss of the Universe.
He couldn't return to Earth, nor could he see the Mortalwoman who haunted his dreams.
What pained him even more was that his brother Loki had fallen into this endless darkness, with not even his remains to be found.
Odin, the All-Father, approached his son with heavy steps.
"You will become a wise king, Thor."
Odin's voice was aged and majestic, with a hint of undetectable exhaustion.
"I am not even a ten-thousandth of you, Father."
Thor gazed into that Void Realm, his eyes filled with loneliness: "And I have lost a good brother forever."
"One day, you will make me proud."
Odin patted Thor's broad shoulders and turned to leave, his back appearing somewhat hunched.
And at the end of the Bifrost Bridge, the GatekeeperHeimdall leaned on his sword, his golden eyes piercing through billions of light-years.
"Can you still see her?" Thor asked urgently.
Earth, a certain laboratory in New Mexico.
Daisy Lewis, Jane Foster, and Dr. Erik Selvig were packing their instruments; their research had been forced to a halt.
"I can," Heimdall's voice was low and powerful.
"What is she doing?"
"She is trying to find you."
Hearing this, a bitter smile finally appeared on Thor's tense face.
He knew he had to grow; his father was old, and the burden of protecting the Nine Realms would eventually fall on his shoulders.
"And Loki? Have you found any trace of him?"
Heimdall fell silent and did not answer.
Thor clenched his fists; he swore that no matter the cost, he would find his brother.
Even if Loki was a descendant of the Frost Giants, even if he had done so many wrong things, in his heart, he would always be his little brother.
Meanwhile, at a secret underground Base somewhere in the United States.
"Dr. Selvig, welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D."
The one-eyed Director, Nick Fury, stepped out from the shadows, his black leather trench coat glinting coldly under the lights.
"This place is like a maze; I thought you were going to silence me."
Dr. Erik Selvig wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, eyeing the high-tech equipment around him.
"I'm impressed by your research in New Mexico, Doctor."
Nick Fury's single eye stared intently at him, like a hunter watching its prey.
"Now, we have a grander project that requires the participation of Geniuses like you."
A mysterious and oppressive atmosphere filled the air, the calm before the storm.
"Foster's theory is incredibly profound, and we have to research a portal to another dimension. My workload is piled high; this is an unprecedented challenge, isn't it?"
Dr. Erik Selvig spread his hands helplessly, his brow full of exhaustion and a hint of impatience.
Nick Fury didn't reply immediately; he just turned abruptly, his trench coat cutting an arc through the air as he strode deep into the shadows of the corridor.
"In the dust of legend and history, there are often completely different stories, but occasionally, they coincide strikingly at a certain point."
He stopped across from the cold metal table where a silver-white aluminum briefcase lay quietly, emitting a chill.
Just as he finished speaking, under Dr. Erik Selvig's close watch, Nick Fury's fingers clicked, and with a "clack," the case lock popped open.
A faint blue light bloomed instantly, as if a miniature star were imprisoned in a cube. Dense precision electronic components connected to it like blood vessels, with a complex mechanical combination lock installed on the outermost layer.
Dr. Erik Selvig's pupils were lit up by the deep blue, and he blurted out in shock, "My God, what is this?"
"It is pure power, Doctor."
Ambition gleamed in Nick Fury's single eye, a meaningful curve hooking the corner of his mouth. Agent Hill's intelligence work was impeccable, allowing him to fully understand the Tesseract's background.
"As long as we can crack its shell and master the key to controlling it, the power it grants us will be infinite."
Just then, on the mirror-smooth metal wall beside Dr. Erik Selvig, a slender figure was eerily reflected.
Chapter 75: Loki Plants a Seed; Dr. Fury Builds a Fortress
It was Loki.
Or more accurately, it was a mental seed planted deep within Dr. Erik Selvig's Soul by the God of Mischief, and the person involved was completely unaware of it.
"This thing is indeed quite interesting."
The Loki in the mirror gave a wicked smile, his eyes full of greed.
"This thing is indeed quite interesting."
In reality, Dr. Erik Selvig repeated mechanically, a similarly brilliant but slightly stiff smile slowly appearing on his face.
Seeing the intense interest shown by the doctor, Nick Furysuppressed the excitement in his heart.
As the helmsman of S.H.I.E.L.D., global intelligence converged in his palm like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea.
He knew better than anyone that while Earth seemed peaceful now, undercurrents were surging, and humanity was standing on the edge of a cliff.
To deal with those unspeakable crises of the future, he had to plan ahead and forge the sharpest sword.
Every invasion by an alien civilization meant mountains of corpses and seas of blood, meaning countless families torn apart in the flames of war; Nick Fury did not want to see that scene.
He had gone to great lengths to assemble the Avengers, and it certainly wasn't to wait until the enemy was stepping on his face to start fighting back.
If they could control the Space Stone and open dimensional portals at will, the Avengers could take the war to the enemy's home Base.
Let them also taste the destruction of their homes and experience the piercing pain of losing loved ones.
Mercy? That was an epitaph left for the dead.
Years of being an Agent had taught him a bloody truth: to protect one's home, one must strike first and nip the danger in the bud.
As for how much misery it would cause the enemy, Nick Fury never cared; he wasn't a nanny, but an executioner.
He didn't mind becoming a Shura and swinging that blood-stained butcher's knife.
"Doctor, time is running out for you. For safety's sake, I hope you can move directly into the Base."
Nick Fury had another hidden concern in his heart.
His recent purge within S.H.I.E.L.D. seemed to have touched the nerves of a behemoth—HYDRA.
This organization lurked as deep as a malignant tumor.
This made Nick Fury feel as if his hands and feet were bound, with heavy resistance at every step.
HYDRA had spent decades infiltrating every pore of S.H.I.E.L.D., even hiding under his nose until now; this power was simply hair-raising.
Nick Fury even suspected that even among those honorable congressmen on Capitol Hill in the USA, many were already just shells for HYDRA.
After all, politicians were the easiest link to corrupt.
But this military Base was different; it was one of Nick Fury's last fortresses.
Every blade of grass, every tree, and every person here was a loyalist he had personally screened, practicing the strictest closed management.
Here, it was truly isolated from the World.
"No problem, I can't wait to start working."
Dr. Erik Selvig rubbed his hands excitedly, his eyes full of fanaticism.
Whether he could go out or not didn't matter to him at all.
At this moment, in his World, only the Tesseract emitting a charming blue light remained before him.
Nick Fury nodded with satisfaction.
On the other side, inside the luxury Villa.
Ethan gently pushed away Domino in his arms.
It had to be admitted that Domino, with her Black heritage, had skin as delicate as silk, and her feel was among the best of all women.
But his current body was fused with Kryptonian genes, and with the intertwining of various powers, he had long ago forged a true body of steel, with waist strength that was beyond belief.
Just one Domino was clearly not enough to satisfy him.
He walked into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and ice-cold water poured down over his head and face.
For Ethan, the water temperature was meaningless.
With the Ice-Ice Fruit in his left hand and the Mera Mera no Mi in his right, he himself was the most precise human temperature controller.
The Fusion between Devil Fruits produced a wonderful chemical reaction, something Ethan had experienced deeply.
The combination of the Mera Mera no Mi and the Glint-Glint Fruit directly allowed him to master the terrifying ability to simulate sunlight.
Combined with firing heat rays, that would be a Solar Flarecapable of disintegrating matter at the atomic level.
Adding the control of the Mind Dominator, if he continued to dig deeper and integrate these abilities, he was completely confident in developing his own unique Omega Beams.
That was the signature ultimate skill of Darkseid, the Tyrant of Apokolips.
Omega Beams were by no means simple high-temperature destruction; they contained the causal-law-like Omega Effect, capable of completely erasing existence or reversing life and death. Ordinary experts would die upon contact, and only Multiverse-level monsters like the Anti-Monitor could withstand them.
Of course, with Ethan's current strength, there was still a way to go before reaching that level.
But as long as he raised the Mind Dominator's ability by another level, he could simulate the initial tracking and certain-hit effects of the Omega Beams.
Unfortunately, this move was still in the conceptual stage.
Just like Esdeath's move, [Mahapadma], he had the prototype in his mind but hadn't been able to manifest it yet.
He could now freeze time and space.
Bringing the atomic motion of all things to zero.
But the side effects of Absolute Zero were too great; the frozen area would directly crumble into ice crystal dust.
Such overbearing destructive power would have made anyone else go crazy with joy.
But Ethan had a bit of a headache; this AOE move didn't distinguish between friend and foe, making it too easy to accidentally injure allies.
Instantly killing all living beings within the frozen range was truly a bit too much against the heavens.
"Omega Beams are different. Even if the power doesn't reach the mysterious level of Darkseid's original version, its single-target killing ability can definitely be comparable."
"If I integrate the power of the Mind Dominator into it to guide the beam's trajectory, it is absolutely feasible in theory."
Cold water slid down Ethan's firm muscle lines; he was immersed in the deduction of his power system.
Suddenly, a warm and soft, slippery body pressed against his back.
It seemed that a new, intense battle was inevitable.
Downstairs in the kitchen.
Sandy Brandenbourg was humming a light tune while processing the top-quality leftover seafood from last night.
Meanwhile, Inez, with two huge dark circles under her eyes, was like a frost-beaten eggplant, slumped listlessly on the table.
Suddenly, both of their movements stiffened simultaneously, and they both looked up at the stairs together.
"That little vixen Domino actually monopolized My Lord Demon."
Inez curled her lip, her face full of displeasure.
She even gave Sandy a somewhat resentful glare.
Sandy didn't care at all, her smile as bright as a flame.
"Inez, you have to learn to share. Moreover, the great Lord Ice Demon is destined to not have only one believer. Even if there were only one, that position might not necessarily go to you. What are you getting so sour about?"
Sandy acted exceptionally generous, joking while chopping vegetables.
"Hmph, I heard that Domino has been scheduled to be injected with the super soldier serum today."
Chapter 76: Bank Collects Debt, Best Friend Silenced
Inez finally spoke of the unease in her heart.
For them, the super soldier serum wasn't just a boost in power; more importantly, it was the temptation of delaying aging.
"The x-gene energy in our bodies is too violent. Injecting the serum now is too risky; there are uncontrollable factors."
Sandy's movements quickened slightly.
She had to finish serving the sumptuous lunch before Ethan finished his business.
"That's a potion worth a billion U.S. dollars."
Inez felt a pang of heartache, sucking her teeth in distress.
"Ha, that's just the price for fleecing outsiders. For Osborn, the cost is shockingly low."
Sandy was now not only in charge of security but also helping Raven handle some core business affairs, so her perspective was naturally different.
This was also where her cleverness lay.
Unlike Outlaw Inez, whose mind was only filled with adventure and excitement.
Every time she was taught a lesson by My Lord, she could only stay well-behaved for about a week.
Finally, Ethan came down, having changed into fresh clothes.
Domino followed behind him, her face rosy and glowing as if she had just finished a top-tier SPA, radiating an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
She winked triumphantly at Sandy and made a playful face at Inez.
Once you've had a taste of the handsome and powerful Ice Demon, it truly becomes addictive; you simply can't stop.
Lunchtime.
Ethan had only taken a few bites when his phone on the table vibrated.
It was Raven.
"Boss, something happened."
Her voice on the other end was grave.
"I know. I'm coming back right now."
Ethan's expression darkened instantly.
Raven always handled things steadily; minor troubles would never disturb him.
For her to say'something happened,' it must be a major problem that crossed the line.
"Alright, ladies, Raven called. There's a situation at the company. Will the three of you continue your vacation in Long Island, or come back to the company with me?"
Ethan wiped his mouth and asked softly.
Domino was the first to raise her hand, saying excitedly, "I want to go back to the company! I'm an official employee now, I have to go clock in!"
"My gear is still at the company." Outlaw Inez also put down her ice cream and licked the milk stains from the corner of her mouth.
"Looks like it's time to get to work, Boss!"
Sandy Brandenbourg's eyes curved into smiles like crescent moons.
But deep in her eyes, there was a trace of unfulfilled regret.
Ethan glanced at her and instantly understood the girl's little thoughts.
It was rare to get a vacation, and she was quite craving her boss. Now that the vacation was ending early and the boss was about to get busy, the desire that had been stirred up would probably have to be suppressed for a while.
He put on the sling ring and elegantly drew a circle in the air.
Golden sparks flew, and space was forcibly torn open, revealing the scene of the Chairman's office in the Oscorp Tower.
The three women, accustomed to this, filed in one by one.
Ethan didn't leave in a hurry; instead, he used his telekinesis to completely tidy up the Villa in a second before stepping through the portal.
With the sling ring, this Divine Artifact, Ethan didn't even bother flying anymore.
No matter how fast you fly, can you be faster than a spatial portal?
Just as they returned to the office.
Julia, who was holding some documents, looked in surprise at the four people who suddenly appeared.
She clearly remembered that the boss wasn't in the office.
"Boss, should I notify President Raven to come over?"
Julia Roberts quickly regained her professional composure and asked softly.
"Have Raven come straight here. Also, this is Domino. Domino, this is Julia, my private assistant."
The two women's gazes met in the air, faintly sparking.
It was a signal of competing for favor.
However, Julia was a few years older after all; she was composed and knew her position well.
"Take Domino to handle the onboarding procedures. Her contract and benefits should match Sandy's and Inez's."
Ethan instructed casually.
"Alright, Miss Domino, please follow me."
Julia showed an impeccable sweet smile.
"Thank you, Sister Julia."
Domino smiled brightly.
Girls who love to laugh usually don't have bad luck.
Three women make a play; now that Osborn was stuffed with five, the stage was well-set.
And everyone knew perfectly well who had what kind of relationship with the boss.
Ethan sighed inwardly; was he starting an internal harem struggle?
Whatever, let them compete.
Not long after, Raven pushed the door open and entered.
She was wearing a black-and-white professional suit and high heels, radiating a powerful aura.
But there was no smile on her face; she was as cold as frost.
"Sandy, Inez, go get busy first. Take care of Domino."
Ethan frowned slightly, sensing that the atmosphere wasn't right.
The two women tactfully left the top-floor office.
As soon as the door closed, Raven's tense expression finally softened, revealing a trace of exhausted tenderness.
She didn't speak, but stood on her tiptoes, her arms tightly hooking around Ethan's neck, giving him a suffocatingly passionate kiss.
Not until the air in her lungs was almost drained did she reluctantly let go.
Ethan carried Raven, who was clinging to him like a koala, into the inner office.
For a while, Julia wouldn't dare come in to disturb them.
"Tell me, how big of a mess is it?"
Ethan asked as he sat on the sofa.
"Wells Fargo Bank suddenly made a move, demanding that we immediately repay the loans in full."
Raven composed her emotions, her face grave.
"Does Smith know about this?"
"Boss, Mr. Smith has lost contact. I used all channels and finally found... his entire family has been silenced. They died in a horrific manner."
A look of extreme pity appeared on Raven's face.
For someone like her who had seen great storms, what bloody scenes hadn't she witnessed? For her to find it unbearable to look at, one could imagine what kind of torture Smith's family had endured.
Through Telepathy, Ethan directly read the images in Raven's mind.
It was a living hell.
His eyes were instantly filled with chilling killing intent.
"Smith was my friend. Those scumbags knew that, yet they dared to lay hands on his innocent family. This is a provocation to my bottom line; they are seeking death! Raven, notify the executives of Wells Fargo Bank to get over here and see me immediately. Tell them I want to see the real person in charge behind them."
Smith was the Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank.
As soon as he went missing, the bank immediately pressed for debt. If there wasn't something fishy about this, I'll write my name backward.
After the Vlad Family fell, Wells Fargo Bank had actually fallen under the control of the DuPont Family.
Back then, Ethan gave up the Vlad Family's other industries to show goodwill.
As an Asian man, he was already marginalized in Western high society.
Despite being in charge of Osborn for so long, he hadn't even received a decent banquet invitation.
Many people even gossiped and slandered him behind his back.
Only because of the government's ambiguous attitude were they all just waiting and watching.