Tony Stark spoke first.
"In the past six months, a lot has happened. I'll give you a quick summary.
Two months after you disappeared, someone presented a document claiming their connection to Lock Industries. When I looked into it, I was told the paperwork had been signed by your father.
I don't know the document's contents, but it was notarized, legally binding, and then Lock Industries was taken over almost instantly. It was like they had been waiting for the moment."
This was only the part related to Lock Industries. In truth, Tony had left many things unsaid. Compared to everything else that happened, the company's situation felt insignificant.
But his eyes held genuine curiosity. He had been present during the entire takeover, yet even he did not fully understand why a contract Nolan's father once signed could affect a brand-new Lock Industries.
Nolan paused for a moment, then said calmly, "Remember when I told you Obadiah Stane reminded me a lot of my Uncle Charles?"
"Of course." Tony's expression darkened slightly.
Even after so much time, that chapter of his life still left a bitter taste.
"Charles co-founded the original Lock Industries with my father.
But the real reason the company existed at all was because there was another faction behind them. Lock Industries was created at the instruction of that hidden group."
Tony's eyes widened in disbelief.
He had never expected that answer.
Nolan continued, "The organization behind them is extremely powerful. There's something I never told you.
Charles once tried to have me killed. He sent assassins after me, but I escaped by sheer luck. Later he even came in person to finish the job, but he underestimated me.
Over the following years, their influence appeared behind countless incidents."
By the time Nolan finished, Tony was no longer surprised. He was shocked.
His expression turned solemn.
An organization like this was far more dangerous than he had imagined.
"What organization is it?" Tony asked quietly.
He had already decided to get involved.
"Hydra."
Nolan did not hesitate.
"According to my investigation, Hydra has existed for countless years. It has evolved many times, but no matter what form it takes, it remains one of the most dangerous organizations on Earth.
Even the assassination attempt on the New York Bridge was orchestrated by Hydra. They have infiltrated every corner of the world. Completely eliminating them is nearly impossible."
Nolan couldn't help admiring their persistence.
Cut off one head, two more grow in its place.
The slogan was no joke.
If things were simpler, Nolan would have already acted. But due to various considerations, he had refrained from wiping them out completely. That restraint gave Hydra enough time to strike back.
Tony listened, his expression shifting between uncertainty and disbelief. The things Nolan described were too unbelievable, yet too detailed to doubt.
"It sounds like taking down Hydra won't be easy. But Nolan, are you confident you can reclaim ownership of Lock Industries?"
"Of course."
Nolan smiled. That part would not be difficult.
After asking Tony for detailed information about the company, Nolan did not linger.
Reclaiming Lock Industries would take time, and right now, there were people he wanted to see.
Sharon Carter was likely back at S.H.I.E.L.D. Jessica Jones should still be at her agency, and Skye was probably still working at Lock Industries.
After a moment of thought, Nolan headed toward Jessica Jones's office.
It served as both her workplace and her home.
He was genuinely curious about her reaction to his return.
Before long, Nolan arrived and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Jessica's voice sounded from inside.
Nolan pushed the door open.
Jessica looked up, froze in disbelief, and the next moment, launched herself at him.
"Nolan, you jerk, where have you been for six months!"
Her eyes reddened instantly.
Seeing that, the teasing remark Nolan had been preparing quietly faded away.
He gently patted her back.
"Sorry. I made you worry."
He had missed so much during his absence.
Even though it wasn't his choice, guilt still weighed on him.
But Nolan still didn't explain the multiverse.
Some things were better left unknown.
Holding the crying Jessica, Nolan glanced in the direction of Kamar-Taj.
That bald, terrifying woman owed him an explanation, and she was going to give one.
Top sorcerer or not, he was done pretending he didn't mind.
This had nothing to do with strength.
It was about the frustration sitting in his chest.
Jessica finally calmed down.
Looking around, Nolan noticed many new items scattered around the office.
"It seems you picked up an assistant in the past six months," he said with a smile.
"That's right."
Jessica grinned mysteriously.
"And she's coming back soon. I can't wait to see your reaction."
Nolan scoffed.
He had seen too much in life to be fazed by a new employee.
Right as he finished speaking, the door opened and a young woman stepped in.
"Boss?"
Nolan stared.
"Skye?
Why are you here? What happened to your job at Lock Industries?"
He was genuinely shocked. In just half a year, Skye had apparently abandoned her job and joined Jessica.
Jessica shot him a triumphant look.
"She and I are a team now."
She cracked her knuckles.
"We agreed that when you came back, we'd teach you a proper lesson."
Before Nolan could react, Skye stepped aside and glanced sharply at Jessica.
"Jessica, what are you doing? The boss just returned. I don't know what he went through, but he clearly needs comfort."
Jessica stared at her in disbelief.
Where had her teammate gone?
How could she betray her the moment Nolan walked through the door?
Skye spoke solemnly, "Boss, I'm telling on her. Jessica tried to convince me to help beat you up when you returned."
Nolan placed a firm hand on Skye's head.
Her biggest flaw was being too clever.
She had clearly been playing Jessica the entire time.
Suddenly, Nolan's body stiffened, as if sinking into mud. His limbs felt heavy and unfocused, like he was drunk.
Jessica's face lit up with excitement.
Her small fists clenched as she prepared to swing.
Skye no longer looked helpless.
Superpowers.
Even with his body weakened, his mind remained sharp.
Vibrations.
Weak, but enough to disrupt his pituitary gland, creating the drunk feeling.
These two women.
Nolan gritted his teeth.
"Sorry, boss," Skye said cheerfully, "but this is a lady's agreement."
Right as Jessica's punch came flying toward him, Nolan twisted and grabbed her fist.
His grip locked around it like iron.
Jessica stared at him in shock.
Nolan smiled.
"Sorry. I've grown a lot these past six months."
They had prepared for the old Nolan.
They had not expected the new one.
His body had been strengthened by the Goblin Serum. Jessica's strength no longer surpassed his.
"Jerk!" Jessica growled, embarrassed.
Before she could react, Nolan pulled her into his arms.
Skye tried to intervene, but he caught her with his other arm.
Jessica's thoughts were unreadable, but Skye's flushed face was obvious.
After a brief scuffle, Nolan quickly released them.
Jessica was his woman, but Skye was not.
This situation was dangerous.
Two superpowered women could definitely kill him.
Still, Skye had powers now.
A lot had happened in six months.
While Nolan caught up with them, Steve Rogers returned home and nearly jumped back out the door.
Nick Fury was slumped on his couch, barely conscious.
When Fury saw him, he called him over and handed him a USB drive.
"Remember, do not trust anyone."
After speaking, he passed out.
Steve stared at him in silence.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had been compromised so thoroughly that there was no one left he could trust.
Nolan's warnings about Hydra resurfaced in his mind.
He had even begun a secret internal investigation, thinking he was making progress.
Now he realized how wrong he had been.
Everything he discovered was a distraction.
Then an explosion blasted through the apartment.
Steve dodged and rushed outside.
The enemy was just one man.
Steve hurled his shield with full strength.
It should have knocked the man unconscious.
It didn't.
The stranger caught the shield with one hand.
Steve's expression darkened, and a fierce fight broke out.
The man's strength was incredible.
If Steve had been wearing his black armor, he would have won.
But reality offered no such chance.
After a hard battle, the stranger retreated.
Watching him disappear, Steve's eyes narrowed.
He looked too much like Bucky.
It matched the photo Nolan had once shown him.
But Steve didn't chase him.
Fury was behind him, and he couldn't leave him unprotected.
Meanwhile, Nolan returned to Lock Industries.
Viper was waiting in his office.
The room had been completely cut off from the outside world. Her luck-based ability was powerful, but it was not omnipotent. She could not risk testing whether the gunmen watching her would shoot.
She remained calm.
Nolan's sudden return had cornered her, but Hydra would receive the news soon enough.
She just needed to hold on.
She had not reached a dead end yet.
Nolan entered the office.
"Madam Viper," he said.
"Hydra has caused me quite a lot of trouble. How do you plan to compensate me?"
His tone held no hostility.
Viper twisted her waist and chuckled.
"What if I offer myself as compensation? That is the last sincere gift I can give."
Nolan simply stared at her.
"Do not make me repeat myself."
His eyes filled with killing intent.
"You are not planning to kill me here, are you?" she teased, leaning her neck forward, completely fearless.
In her mind, Nolan was just venting his helpless anger.
He would not actually act.
If he kept her locked up, he would be the one in trouble.
So she smiled confidently.
Nolan sighed.
"Fine. You win."
Viper smirked.
"See you next time, little boss."
She walked out without anyone stopping her.
But the moment she left, Nolan spoke calmly.
"Red Queen, track Viper's location. I feel like catching a nest of little snakes."
Leave?
It would not be that easy.
…