- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 58
If HYDRA hasn’t truly been destroyed and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s upper echelons have been infiltrated, Nick Fury’s priority is to remain calm and avoid revealing that he’s aware of this intelligence. He must discreetly arrange countermeasures with his most trusted subordinates.
He also needs to identify the source of this intelligence—whether it was inadvertently or deliberately conveyed to him through Tony, and whether it came from an enemy or an ally.
“Director, is there a mission?”
The stunning woman in a black one-piece bodysuit with dark red wavy hair walked into Nick Fury’s office.
Natasha Romanoff, codenamed Black Widow, was initially a top spy brainwashed by the Red Room, later recruited into S.H.I.E.L.D. by Hawkeye Barton.
A master of combat, proficient in numerous languages, including the nearly extinct Latin, she could skillfully operate various land, sea, and air vehicles and excelled in disguise, infiltration, and stealth.
Her expertise in psychology allowed her to navigate and extract information from different organizations and countries effortlessly.
“You are permitted to use any means necessary. I need all the information on this person, but ensure he doesn’t find out.”
Nick Fury handed over Leo’s dossier to Black Widow.
She glanced at it, quickly memorized the details, nodded, and left.
After Black Widow left, Nick Fury pondered for a moment and pressed the intercom button again:
“Send Agent Hill and Agent Coulson to my office.”
Hill and Coulson were his most trusted subordinates within S.H.I.E.L.D. He needed their assistance to investigate the potential HYDRA infiltration.
After making arrangements with Hill and Coulson, Nick Fury sighed in relief and opened the virtual projection in his office.
“Another headache to deal with!”
He rubbed his forehead, looking at today’s explosive news: Tony Stark, the chairman of Stark Industries, had revealed himself as Iron Man.
Meanwhile, in his company laboratory, Leo was discussing with Samuel Stern when he saw the same news.
“He really likes to show off!”
Shaking his head, Leo didn’t pay much attention to it and continued his conversation with Stern:
“Tell him you’re close to finding a cure and ask him to come to New York.”
“But I can’t be certain the treatment is effective. It might only temporarily suppress the condition without fully curing it. The dosage is also unpredictable; too much could be lethal…”
Dr. Stern frowned, dissatisfied with the current stage of the treatment.
Leo patted his shoulder and reassured him:
“Having him here doesn’t mean you’ll inject him immediately. With him present, you can conduct better research, and as an expert, he can assist you. You’ll solve the problem faster together.”
If it weren’t for the concern that Dr. Banner might distrust him, Leo would have directly asked Stern to find Banner’s location and sent people to bring him over.
For now, luring Banner here and then persuading him to join the Li Group’s research team was the plan.
“Alright, I’ll contact him now.”
Dr. Stern agreed, seeing the sense in Leo’s argument.
Though much of the current research was his own work, many critical points had emerged from online discussions with Mr. Green.
Having Mr. Green in person would expedite blood sample collection and collaborative research, hastening the achievement of his dream results.
While he had replicated Mr. Green’s blood extensively, there were still differences between the replicas and the original.
A moment later, Stern returned to Leo:
“He’s very excited. Before I could invite him, he said he wanted to come. I set the meeting location at Grayburn College, as you suggested.”
Though now officially part of the Li Group, Stern hadn’t fully resigned from the college. He still taught one day a week, out of gratitude to the dean who had once recognized his talent.
Leo nodded and smiled:
“Great, keep in touch and inform me immediately through Xiao Liu if anything comes up.
Also, this morning, I donated a new teaching building to Grayburn College in your name. The dean should be calling you soon to thank you!”
“That’s… really generous of you.”
Dr. Stern’s body stiffened, his face showing genuine emotion.
He hadn’t expected Leo to value him so highly, even donating a teaching building to Grayburn College in his name. This recognition and appreciation deeply moved him.
“Do your best. Even if the research on Dr. Banner’s blood doesn’t yield results, your abilities are worth every bit of this.”
Patting Stern’s shoulder, Leo left the lab.
Donating the teaching building to Grayburn College was partly to win over Stern and partly to secure a steady supply of biological science talent for the Li Group.
Shortly after returning to his office, Leo received a call from Tony.
“Leo, did you see the news?”
Tony’s voice was full of pride.
Leo chuckled:
“I did. I never expected you to be the famous Iron Man. It was quite a surprise.”
Despite keeping in touch with Tony, Leo had never mentioned making the Iron Man suit or hinted at being Iron Man.
Understanding the reasons behind Tony’s secrecy, Leo hadn’t exposed him.
“Ha, surprised you, huh? If you ever run into trouble, just call me. I’ll handle it.”
Tony responded confidently.
He vividly remembered Leo saving him from the terrorists single-handedly, breathing fire to ignite missiles and blowing up their base.
That scene had left a lasting impression on him.
Now, with his Iron Man suit, Tony felt even Leo wouldn’t stand a chance against him.
“Great, I actually need your help with something. Can you come to my company when you’re free?”
Leo didn’t hesitate to accept Tony’s offer.
He had been waiting for Tony to reveal himself as Iron Man for days.
“Uh… sure, I’ll fly over now!”
Tony was momentarily stunned but quickly agreed.
Leo had saved his life. As long as the request wasn’t illegal or unethical, he wouldn’t refuse.
“By the way, Nick Fury from S.H.I.E.L.D. visited me last night. I told him about HYDRA but didn’t mention you.”