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"I'm going to go 'borrow' some money! I'm skipping dinner tonight!" Emma dashed out the door with a money-hungry gleam in her eyes, leaving Leo staring after her helplessly.
He could only sigh and silently mourn for the poor souls who were about to have their money "borrowed" by her.
Just moments earlier, Emma had laid out her plan. She would start by "borrowing" money from Wall Street tycoons, then use those funds to found her own company. With the miraculous powers of "Nurse," she intended to build a business empire.
Of course, with her mutant abilities, Emma didn't actually need to go through all this trouble to obtain money. But when Leo pointed this out, she said firmly: "That would be meaningless! What I want isn't money itself, but the sense of accomplishment that comes from working hard and achieving success! And besides, if I just used my powers to cheat, then all my studying of management would be for nothing!"
"Women… I'll never understand them," Leo muttered. Shaking his head, he lay down on his bed, and the exhaustion from weeks of experiments finally overwhelmed him. Before long, he had drifted into a deep sleep.
---
Meanwhile, back at the research facility where Leo had first created Nurse, Supervisor Hall was facing the true owner of the lab: Howard Stark.
"Mr. Stark, I didn't expect you here today. May I ask the purpose of your visit?" Hall asked, bowing slightly, his voice laced with flattery.
"Hall! You're looking as… full-figured as ever," said Howard, sporting his neat little mustache, graying hair, and his trademark roguish grin.
"Really? Thank you, sir," Hall replied, rubbing his thinning scalp awkwardly.
"I need some materials for an experiment. I just came to pick them up." Without waiting for a reply, Howard started walking toward the storeroom.
Alarm bells rang in Hall's mind, and he quickly hurried after him.
"Sir, perhaps I could fetch the materials for you?" Hall offered nervously, knowing how much of the stockpile Leo had consumed in his experiments.
At that, Howard's steps faltered ever so slightly. Normally, Hall never dared interfere with his requests.
For him to act so strangely today… Howard's mustache twitched as he smiled.
"Hall, you're getting more considerate every year."
"It's my duty to serve you," Hall said, though there was a nervous edge in his voice.
Howard reached the storeroom where rare materials were kept and entered the passcode one only he and Hall were supposed to know.
The door opened, and he stepped inside. A quick scan told him something was wrong: several rare materials were significantly depleted, including palladium, which he had specifically come for. These were his private reserves, meant for his use alone.
His mind stirred. "Oh, by the way, Hall, I suddenly remembered I have some things to take care of. Just deliver my usual share of materials to my home lab later."
"Yes, sir!" Hall exhaled in relief.
"Good. Then I'll be off." Howard clapped Hall on the shoulder, all while observing every twitch and glance of the nervous supervisor. I'll find out who dared steal from me and convinced my own man to cover for them.
---
Back at home, Leo remained blissfully unaware, still asleep. Perhaps it was sheer fatigue, but he did not stir until evening, when the sky had already begun to darken.
"Did I sleep that long?" Rubbing his eyes, Leo stepped out of his room and found Paul and Aunt Lynn preparing dinner, having returned from a day out in town.
"Leo!?" Paul exclaimed with delight from behind his newspaper. Ever since Leo had thrown himself into his "inventions," they'd barely seen him over the last month.
"Uncle Paul, Aunt Lynn," Leo greeted warmly, closing the door behind him.
But Lynn's attention was quickly drawn to the orb rolling obediently behind him. "Leo, what's that thing following you?"
Leo smiled and proceeded to explain Nurse's functions. As he finished, Paul's face lit up with excitement. "Child, you've created something incredible!"
"We're so proud of you!" Lynn added, cradling Nurse happily in her arms.
"Aunt Lynn, Emma asked me to tell you she won't be back for dinner tonight," Leo said quickly, trying to steer the conversation away. The elderly couple seemed far too excited, and at their age, too much excitement wasn't healthy.
"Oh, Emma's such a hardworking girl!" Paul nodded approvingly.
Leo's smile stiffened. 'Yeah… hardworking. Right now she's probably out there 'borrowing' money from someone.'
---
Elsewhere, Howard Stark was nearly trembling with excitement. From hidden backup cameras cameras even Hall had not known about he had witnessed the entire process of Leo creating Nurse, as well as the machine's abilities.
"Ha! Did you think I'd only install one set of cameras? Too naïve, young man!" Howard chuckled smugly, twirling his mustache. He could hardly wait to meet this mysterious thief-inventor in person.
As for tracking Leo down Howard Stark was one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D., after all.
"The methods you used… the symbols, the science I've never seen before. I have to admit you're a genius," he whispered to himself as he stepped out of his mansion. He didn't notice his son Tony nearby, who overheard every word.
Tony raised an eyebrow, puzzled. It was the first time he had ever heard his arrogant father call anyone else a genius. Intrigued, young Tony sneaked into Howard's office after he left.
There, Tony found the hidden footage and replayed it over and over, his expression shifting from curiosity to astonishment. Even with his pride, he could not deny it this black orb was a creation beyond imagination.
---
The next morning, Leo had just gotten up and was brushing his teeth when Paul's voice rang out from the living room: "Leo, there's a very handsome gentleman here to see you. He says he's a friend of yours!"
"Oh?" Leo replied, puzzled. He didn't have any friends here. After rinsing his mouth and drying his face, he walked out, confusion plain on his face.
The middle-aged man waiting for him smiled confidently. "Hello, Leo. I'm Howard Stark."
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