Coercion and Inducement
Three days later.
At a secluded estate along the Hudson River, a helicopter descended slowly onto the landing pad.
A blindfolded figure was escorted off the aircraft by several armed female mercenaries. Their leader, Soran, approached Xu Mo, who was standing nearby.
"Boss, we've brought the person back!"
"Good." Xu Mo gave a short nod and gestured toward the villa.
---
Inside the villa, two mercenaries removed the blindfold from the captive. Wanda Maximoff blinked against the sudden light, her wide eyes quickly taking in the surroundings before fixing on Xu Mo.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?!" she demanded, fear and defiance mixing in her voice.
Xu Mo waved his hand lightly. "Leave us," he ordered, dismissing the mercenaries. Once they were gone, he turned his gaze back to Wanda, studying her closely.
Her features resembled those of Elizabeth Olsen, but she was younger—barely eighteen, untouched by the years of tragedy still ahead.
"Wanda Maximoff," Xu Mo began smoothly, holding a dossier in his hand. "Born in Sokovia. Your parents were killed in a bombing when you were eight. You and your twin brother, Pietro, survived and have been struggling ever since. Pietro works odd jobs to support you, while you scrape by on café wages. Your combined living expenses barely reach two thousand euros a month."
Wanda's expression faltered. "Why do you know all this?" she asked sharply.
"Because," Xu Mo closed the folder with a smile, "I needed to understand who I was dealing with."
Her eyes narrowed. "So you kidnapped me for… information?"
"Not quite," Xu Mo said, stepping closer. "I have a proposal. A deal."
"A deal?" Wanda's hands clenched against the ropes binding her wrists.
"Yes. You marry me, and in exchange, Pietro will live free from hardship. Wealth, security, comfort—everything you've both been denied." His tone was calm, but his eyes carried an unspoken edge. "Refuse, and I can't guarantee either of your safety."
Wanda's face drained of color. "You—you're shameless!" she spat.
Xu Mo shrugged. "Call it what you like. I know your kind of strength: your resolve lies in your family. Pietro is your weakness. You won't risk his life."
He took out a knife, leaned forward, and cut her restraints. "You're not awakened yet. You're still just an ordinary girl. Don't mistake my mercy for vulnerability."
Wanda rubbed her sore wrists, glaring at him. "And if I refuse?"
"Then Pietro pays the price." Xu Mo's voice was casual, almost bored. "I'll give you five minutes to decide. This isn't just about you—it's about both of you."
He leaned back in his chair, watching her silently as the seconds ticked away.
Wanda's chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. She hated him—hated the arrogance in his eyes, the way he spoke as though her life was his to shape. But Pietro… Pietro was all she had left.
Finally, she lowered her gaze. "Fine. I'll do it. But you must swear—Pietro walks free."
A thin smile curved Xu Mo's lips. "You have my word."
---
That afternoon, Pietro was brought to the estate.
In the villa's grand hall, he froze in shock at the sight of his sister. Wanda stood before him, clad in a luxurious wedding dress.
"Wanda?!" His voice cracked in disbelief. "What the hell is going on?!"
She forced a small smile, though her eyes betrayed the turmoil beneath. "I didn't want to tell you until I was sure. I'm getting married."
Pietro's jaw dropped. "Married? To who?! We live in Novi Grad! You've never even spoken to anyone outside Sokovia!"
Before Wanda could answer, Xu Mo entered the room, his polished shoes clicking softly against the marble floor.
"Hello," he said warmly. "You must be Pietro. I'm Xu Mo—Wanda's fiancé."
Pietro's eyes darted between the two of them. Xu Mo was tall, confident, and dressed in wealth that Pietro couldn't even imagine touching. It didn't make sense—none of it.
After a long pause, Pietro awkwardly extended his hand. "Uh… hello."
Within half an hour, the impossible began to feel inevitable. Pietro had come ready to fight, convinced Wanda was being manipulated. But the man before him seemed untouchable—young, rich, and powerful.
Looking at the preparations for the wedding already underway in the manor, Pietro felt his anger crumbling into uncertainty.
If Wanda had agreed… what else could he do?