"Maybe we should buy a private island and move there," Karl said suddenly. "It would be safer for you."
He had just remembered the list of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents the Hand had uncovered around his manor. Although his current strength was already formidable, there were still beings on Earth he couldn't easily defeat.
For example, Captain Marvel.
Carol Danvers possessed cosmic-level power granted by the Space Stone. In raw combat ability, she was already close to the upper tiers of Marvel's cosmic hierarchy. In the future timeline, she could even fight Thanos without the Infinity Stones head-on.
If someone of that level targeted him, his current base would not be secure enough.
May thought about Karl's suggestion seriously.
"That's actually not a bad idea," she said. "Pepper might be able to help. She's now the executive director of Stark Industries. If she negotiates the purchase, the price will definitely be lower."
Then she looked at Karl.
"But have you decided where to buy it?"
Karl shook his head.
"Not yet."
He leaned back slightly on the sofa.
"There's no rush. Even if we bought an island right now, it would still require massive modification before we could live there."
In reality, Karl's plan was far bigger.
He didn't want just a residence.
He wanted something capable of leaving Earth.
Sooner or later, he would enter the wider Marvel universe.
Turning an island into a hidden base — or even a disguised interstellar vessel — would give him long-term strategic mobility.
But that would require time.
"Alright," May said. "I'll start looking into options."
Then she pointed a finger at Karl.
"And tonight when you go to Gwen's house, remember to bring proper gifts."
"And don't argue with George Stacy. He's still Gwen's father."
Karl raised both hands helplessly.
"Alright, alright, I promise."
"In fact," he added with a grin, "I already know how to deal with him."
No matter how hostile George was, he was still Gwen's father — and therefore Karl's future father-in-law. If the relationship became too strained, Gwen would be the one caught in the middle.
Karl would not let that happen.
Besides…
He had ways of persuading people.
"Gwen, if Karl bullies you again, tell me immediately," May said, rolling her eyes at Karl before holding Gwen's hand. "I'll teach that bad guy a lesson."
Karl sighed dramatically and leaned into Raven's arms as if seeking comfort.
Raven smirked but said nothing.
Meanwhile
The moment 700 billion dollars entered Karl's bank account, the bank's executive board immediately convened an emergency meeting.
Their final decision was unanimous:
Karl Auguston Zhang must be treated as a highest-priority client.
Any request from him should be fulfilled with maximum effort.
After all, ignoring his connection to Stark Industries, Karl alone now controlled $700 billion in liquid assets.
Few individuals on Earth possessed that level of immediate capital.
Soon after, the U.S. rich list rankings were updated.
Karl instantly entered the top 200 wealthiest individuals in America.
These rankings were based on estimates combining:
corporate holdings
stock valuations
known personal assets
They did not reflect actual liquid cash.
Tony Stark remained within the top 50, largely because the valuation of Stark Industries itself placed him there.
The list revealed a simple truth:
The United States had an enormous concentration of wealth.
And globally, the number of ultra-rich individuals was even higher.
Naturally, the media went wild.
Newspapers and financial publications rushed to report the story:
"Youngest Billionaire in History!"
"Karl Zhang — The Fastest Rise to Extreme Wealth!"
Combined with Karl's youth, appearance, and mysterious background, he quickly became the focus of massive public attention.
Many wealthy widows, socialites, and ambitious young women suddenly became extremely interested in him.
In reality, names only appeared on these lists with the individual's approval.
In Karl's case, May had given consent on his behalf.
She believed Karl was extraordinary and deserved recognition.
More importantly—
She was proud of him.
Even Tony Stark was shocked when he saw the news.
He hadn't expected Karl to quietly become a billionaire almost overnight.
Stark Industries itself controlled enormous assets, but Tony's personal liquidity was still only in the hundreds of billions.
Karl's sudden jump placed him almost on Tony's level.
Then Tony remembered something.
Karl still had hundreds of tons of vibranium.
Tony suddenly realized…
Karl might actually be richer than him.
Karl himself paid no attention to the news.
He also didn't mind May approving the listing.
As long as she was happy, it wasn't worth worrying about.
That evening, Karl prepared to take Gwen home.
This time he visited several luxury stores first and carefully selected gifts.
VROOOOM—
The Lamborghini roared to life.
Karl stepped on the accelerator and drove toward Queens with Gwen beside him.
Gwen was far less calm.
Her father had always been strict.
And he already disliked Karl.
Now she had spent the night with him.
And Karl already had other lovers.
If George discovered everything…
She had no idea how he would react.
Thirty minutes later, they arrived at Gwen's house.
George Stacy was already standing at the door with a stern expression.
He watched silently as Karl parked the car.
Gwen stepped out, lowering her head slightly.
Karl opened the trunk and took out several carefully wrapped gift bags.
Then he walked toward the door with Gwen.
"Good evening, Uncle," Karl said politely. "I've brought Gwen home."
Calling him "Uncle" immediately placed George in an awkward position.
Karl knew exactly what George was trying to do — stand at the door and intimidate him.
But Karl was flexible.
He had already disarmed the situation before it even began.
"Hmph."
George snorted.
"Gwen, come inside. Dinner is ready."
Then he turned and walked in.
Karl naturally followed without hesitation.
Since he had already arrived, there was no way he would retreat.
"Carl, you're here!" Helen Stacy greeted warmly when she saw them.
"Come sit down. Dinner will be ready soon. I'm making lemon sea bass again."
Then she turned toward her husband.
"George, come help me in the kitchen. Stop standing there with that face."
George sighed and reluctantly followed her inside.
"Thank you, Aunt Helen," Karl said politely.
Then he sat down on the sofa with Gwen.
Seeing her nervous expression, he gently squeezed her hand.
"Relax."
"I told you already — I'll make them accept me."
"And later," he whispered, "I'll give you a surprise."
"O-okay…" Gwen said nervously.
"I trust you."
She wasn't regretting her choice.
She was just worried her parents might think she had been reckless again.
Inside the kitchen, Helen quietly spoke to George.
She reminded him of everything they had already discussed.
She had analyzed the situation carefully before.
Most importantly—
Their daughter truly liked Karl.
Trying to force them apart would only hurt Gwen.
George understood this logically.
But emotionally…
It was still hard to accept that the daughter he had raised so carefully was suddenly taken away by another man.
…
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