Raven fell silent.
She had to admit, Lynt's words made a lot of sense.
She had seen S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power and understood the importance of intelligence.
But reason was one thing; emotion was another.
"I still don't trust her."
Raven said stubbornly, "Humans are all cunning liars."
"I know."
Lynt smiled.
"So, we don't talk about feelings with her; we only talk about interests."
"Everyone has weaknesses, and everyone desires something. For Natasha Romanoff, what does she desire most?"
He didn't wait for Raven to answer, continuing on his own.
"It's atonement.
Her hands are stained with too much blood; her past is a nightmare she can never escape.
She joined S.H.I.E.L.D. and desperately carried out missions, precisely to use new merits to wash away old sins.
She wants to make the red side of her ledger a little less."
This information all came from his memories before he transmigrated.
At this moment, it became the sharpest knife in his hand.
"So, our entry point isn't to give her power, but to give her an opportunity to clear her debts."
Raven was a bit confused: "How do we help her clear her debts?"
"We don't help."
Lynt's smile became unfathomable.
"We just need to make her believe that we have the ability to do so."
He sat back at his desk and opened the black terminal.
His fingers flew across the keyboard, bringing up a series of complex data and code.
"Now, the game begins."
"Step one, we need to create a perfect persona for Apex Amplification Company."
Through encrypted channels, he contacted several well-known information brokers and top hackers on the dark web.
"I want you to, within the next week, build Apex Amplification into a ghost company with a mysterious background, immense financial resources, and a business scope spanning biotechnology, energy, and private security."
"I want this name to appear in some places it shouldn't.
For example, in the financial flow of a certain arms deal, on the overseas trust list of a certain Eastern European oligarch, and even to have some subtle connections with certain tech companies secretly monitored by S.H.I.E.L.D."
"I want to create a perfect bait, a bait that Nick Fury and Natasha Romanoff will have to bite."
Huge sums of U.S. dollars flowed through untraceable virtual accounts to various corners of the World.
Lynt's money power was displayed to its fullest at this moment.
He was like a ghost director hiding behind the scenes, using money as threads to weave a giant net targeting the World's top Agent.
Raven stood by, watching him strategize, and the hint of displeasure and jealousy in her heart was gradually replaced by a strange admiration and fascination.
This man was different from any Mutant she knew.
He didn't use fists, nor powers; he only used his mind and money to stir up the World.
This kind of behind-the-scenes control fascinated her more than Magneto's destructive brute force.
"Done."
Lynt issued the final command and leaned back in his chair.
"Now, we just need to wait. Even the most experienced fish cannot resist a perfect bait tailor-made for it."
He looked at Raven and winked.
"Don't worry, my Raven. She's just going to be the best employee for our company in the future. And you…"
He paused, his voice lowered, carrying a hint of seduction.
"You are the Boss Lady."
"Boss Lady."
This word made Raven's golden pupils light up.
She liked this title very much.
A week later.
New York, Guggenheim Museum.
A charity gala sponsored by Stark Industries was being held there.
Dresses rustled, and glasses clinked.
Almost all of New York City's top celebrities, magnates, and politicians gathered here.
Lynt, dressed in a well-tailored Tom Ford suit, holding a glass of champagne, moved effortlessly through the crowd.
His current identity was the founder and CEO of Apex Amplification Company, a mysterious Wall Street newcomer who had recently emerged in the capital market.
This identity, perfectly crafted with the connections and resources provided by Magneto, was impeccable.
Raven, in a royal blue backless evening gown, elegantly followed him in her original human form.
Her iconic red hair and cool, alluring demeanor attracted countless men's gazes, but her eyes were only on Lynt.
To outsiders, they were a perfect golden couple.
Lynt's gaze casually swept across the room, finally landing on a graceful back by the bar.
A woman in a black dress, also with red hair.
She was facing away from them, whispering something to the bartender.
But Lynt knew that her full attention was on him.
Here she comes.
The fish had taken the bait.
He held his glass and, with Raven, walked slowly over.
"Drinking alone, don't you feel lonely, Miss?"
Lynt's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the other person to hear.
The woman turned around.
A face of aggressive beauty, exquisite features, but eyes like a cat's, with wariness and a hint of lazy allure.
It was Natasha Romanoff.
"I'm waiting for someone."
Natasha looked at him, showing a professional, charming smile.
"However, I think the person I'm waiting for should have already arrived."
Her gaze swept over Lynt and Raven.
"Mr. Lin, pleased to meet you. My name is Natalie Rushman, a new hire in Stark Industries' legal department."
She extended her hand.
A perfect fake identity.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Rushman."
Lynt lightly shook her hand.
He could feel her fingers making a subtle, tentative touch in his palm, seemingly trying to gauge his pulse and muscle reactions.
Typical Agent technique.
"Mr. Lin's company has recently gained quite a reputation in New York."
Natasha began her probing without changing her expression.
"Many people are curious about what exactly Apex Amplification does."
"We do things… that make the World a better place."
Lynt smiled, answering ambiguously.
Just then, a waiter hurried past them, carrying a tray.
Natasha seemed to be bumped by the waiter, stumbled, and looked as if she was about to fall.
This was a classic Agent trick to initiate physical contact.
Lynt sneered inwardly, but his face showed a perfectly timed expression of "panic."
He didn't dodge; instead, he took a step forward and reached out to steady Natasha's arm.
"Careful."
Lynt steadied her, released her arm, and still wore that harmless smile.
"Miss Rushman, are you alright?"
He leaned close to her ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"My company offers some very unique 'employee benefits.'"
"Interested in discussing it, Agent Romanoff?"