r18novel Page 14
Page 14
He elegantly straightened his suit cuffs, as if he had just flicked off a speck of dust.
“As for those two girls you’re concerned about,” Hawke’s gaze refocused on Fury’s face, contorted with rage, carrying an undeniable warning, “they are now my assets. Your company need not worry about them. Any attempt to disturb their peaceful lives—or rather, to disrupt my ongoing work—will create a scene that is likely to be far more ‘artistically impactful’ than this little firework you’re watching.”
"The meeting is now over." Hawke nodded slightly, ignoring Fury's almost fiery glare, and turned to leave.
Leaving the café, Hawke Lane's face remained impassive, like a gentleman who had just enjoyed a grand opera, disappearing into the sea of people amidst the countless panicked figures below the Bates Building.
Initially, Andy didn't quite approve of Hawke's actions, feeling that the killing was too excessive. He even went so far as to spout a Buddhist theory of cause and effect, but Hawke promptly shut Andy up.
This is no longer a simple business war. The Bates family was the first to cross the line. They hired the Clay Doll team from Project Witch to wipe out the entire Ryan Group, including Andy.
Hawke was merely giving him a taste of his own medicine; what crime had he committed?
You're saying I'm guilty?
Come on, look me in the eyes and say it!
Heat radiation warning!
In the end, Hawke managed to seduce Andy, allowing her to let go of her psychological burden.
And being responsible for blowing them up into the sky is the pledge Eun-bi needs to make.
Under the heavy protection of S.H.I.E.L.D., infiltrating the roof of Bates Tower to plant explosives was very difficult, but Eun-bi lived up to her reputation as the leader of the Puppet Squad. As a T1-level witch in the Witch Project, she was second only to Goo Ja-yoon, Shin Si-ah, and the young master.
With a superhuman physique, superhuman self-healing ability, and powerful telekinesis, he is an extremely capable individual even among superpowered individuals, and he has also received professional training in military and espionage fields.
So she's quite adept at doing this kind of thing.
At this moment, Nick Fury, the king of secret agents who had seen it all, was finding it somewhat difficult to deal with such a young yet dangerous opponent for the first time.
The declaration that "art is an explosion" lingered in his ears for half a second before vanishing with the wind.
But what interested him more at that moment was the message Hawk wanted to convey to Pierce: You're welcome!
What does this mean?
Is it simply sowing discord? Or does Hawke possess deeper intelligence?
He sighed, thinking about his Avengers plan that he had been preparing for many years.
"We need to pick up the pace!"
Natasha, standing behind him, was utterly shocked. To do something like this in front of Nick Fury was simply insane.
boom!
It wasn't the sound of an explosion, but rather the crisp sound of some kind of ice shattering deep within her heart.
This madness, like a meteorite thrown into a lake of the heart, instantly shattered the icy layer of rationality upon which Natasha depended for survival.
She had faced countless life-and-death situations and witnessed all kinds of madness, but Hawke Lane's madness was different.
It is wrapped in the elegant suits of Wall Street elites, expressed in the most appropriate language, and executed in the most precise way.
It had a fatal attraction for her, like the apex predator being drawn to another, more powerful, and more unpredictable predator.
"Damn it..." Natasha cursed inwardly, forcing her gaze to focus on the thick smoke still billowing from the top of the Bates Building after the explosion in the distance.
But that madness still surged through her spine like a cold electric current, bringing a near-numb tremor.
She... was excited.
This feeling of excitement was extremely faint, hidden beneath a layer of cold rationality, yet she clearly sensed it.
Like the deadliest virus, once its existence is recognized, infection has already occurred.
The whisper of "the door is always open" is no longer just a test of the limits of will, but more like an invitation to the abyss.
25. What else do I need to do besides completing the tasks? [Please give me flowers and add this to your favorites!]
[The image shows Eunbi.]
The explosion at the top of the Bates Tower that shook the Manhattan night sky and heralded the complete end of a financial dynasty still seems to linger on Enfield's retina.
The piercing alarm, the screams of the crowd, and the sound of glass shards falling like rain remained vivid in her extraordinary sensory memory.
At this moment, in the shadow of a building in Manhattan, I felt a strange, unreal feeling, as if I were walking on clouds—the mission was accomplished.
Clean and efficient, leaving no trace.
Take a deep breath, and another deep breath.
Such a simple task, yet it makes me so nervous!
Eun-bi thought to herself with a touch of self-mockery.
Her thin hospital gown was transformed into a perfectly tailored off-white silk shirt and a dark gray high-waisted pencil skirt, which perfectly outlined her petite yet powerful figure.
Her smooth, black hair was meticulously styled and fell over her shoulders, making her pale face appear even more delicate, with only a trace of panic remaining deep in her eyes.
We drove to the Steinway Building. Hawke's study was brightly lit, and through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the night sky in the direction of the Bates Building seemed to still have a faint, strange red glow.
Hawke seemed to have just arrived home as well, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
When Eun-fi saw his tall and upright figure, her heart began to beat faster and faster uncontrollably again.
She tiptoed into the room, stood a few meters away from Hawke, and unconsciously folded her hands in front of her, her posture reserved yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible ingratiation.
She completed her mission, but she was still afraid.
“Hawk… Mr. Hawke.” Her voice was softer than she had imagined, with a slight, tentative tremor.
Hawke slowly turned around.
His gaze fell on her, scrutinizing her from head to toe. The scrutinizing look made Eun-bi subconsciously hold her breath, almost wanting to lower her head.
"Enfield, the mission was accomplished very well. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s defenses were practically useless against you. Excellent."
Hawke's voice was light and generous with praise, like a warm current instantly flowing through Enfei's cold limbs.
Her tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and she even felt a hint of joy—a kind of acknowledged, almost humble, happiness.
“Mr. Hawke,” she mustered her courage, looked up at him, and asked cautiously, “Are you satisfied?”
Those once fierce eyes now gleamed with anticipation and unease.
Hawke took a few steps closer, and Enfi's body trembled almost imperceptibly, but he did not back down.
"The efficiency exceeded expectations, I'm very satisfied." Hawke commented, his gaze sweeping over her brand-new clothes and meticulously groomed face. "It seems Ziyun has taken good care of you."
“Yes,” Eun-bi nodded quickly, like a child eager to show off her value, “Sister Zi-yun bought me a lot of clothes, they are… very comfortable and beautiful. I’ve never worn clothes like these before.”
There was a hint of curiosity in her tone.
Hawke looked at her almost clumsy honesty after she shed her fierceness and said with a smile, "I'm glad you like it."
He paused, looking at Eun-fi's hesitant expression, "Any other questions?"
As if granted some kind of permission, a barrage of questions poured out of Eunfi, carrying a long-suppressed curiosity and an urgent need for confirmation:
"Mr. Hawke, am I...am I going to live here from now on? Or...is there somewhere else?"
"What...what else do I need to do besides...the mission?"
"Sister Ziyun, is she...is she also working for you? She and Shen Shiya..."
Her questions were somewhat incoherent.
Hawke listened patiently to her questions without interrupting.
He only spoke slowly after she finished asking the question:
“You will have a luxurious and comfortable place to live nearby, with Koo Ja-yoon and Shin Si-ah. Get used to the pace of life in New York as soon as possible, and I will arrange your immigration status.”
"Your responsibilities are clear: carry out the tasks I assign you. The rest of the time is your freedom; you can do whatever you want—study, play, enjoy the sunshine."
"Ziyun and Shiya are my core employees. You are at different levels, but you both work for me. In addition to your generous monthly base salary, you also receive extra rewards for completing tasks. If you encounter any trouble, don't come to me if money can solve the problem. Go to Gu Ziyun. She is currently my assistant."
Eun-bi listened intently, each word seemingly etched into her heart.
“I understand, sir.” Eunfi’s voice was more composed.
She took a deep breath, as if encouraging herself: "I will obey, I will do everything you ask me to do."
Hawke nodded: "Your new task is to mentor Shen Shiya. She is young and not very mature. Teach her how to live, take care of herself, and develop her abilities."
“Gu Ziyun will be my assistant. Andy is usually quite busy with work, so Shen Shiya will be yours for now. But I want to remind you that you need to get along well with Shen Shiya. She is very likely to be the strongest witch in history, surpassing Gu Ziyun.”
Eunbi's pupils constricted; was she even stronger than Gu Ziyun?
Although she found it hard to believe, she obeyed Hawke's words without question, nodding repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice.
Hawke was relieved.
He had read the original story; Shen Shiya not only overcame the witch's greatest weakness—the head—but her abilities were also greatly enhanced.
She could crush the clay idol group more easily than crush an ant; the difference was absurd.
If Shen Shiya can use her abilities skillfully now, then she probably wouldn't be a match for him.
Hawke picked up his suit jacket from the back of the chair and said to Enfi, "Let's go, I'll take you to your new place."
Hawke was in the driver's seat, and Eunfi was in the passenger seat.
With the car windows closed, the bustling night outside was shut out, and the interior was filled with soothing classical music and the cool scent of top-quality leather.
The vehicle smoothly drove into the nighttime streets of Manhattan.
Eun-bi's body tensed slightly, her hands resting on her lap, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the soft fabric of her skirt.
The enclosed and private space inside the carriage amplified Hawke's indescribable powerful aura.
She secretly turned her head to look at Hawke.
His profile was sharply defined in the dim light of the carriage, his handsome features almost sharp.
A bold idea, mixed with flattery, probing, and a thrill she couldn't quite explain, suddenly seized her.
26. A five-minute drive took an hour. [Requesting flowers]
Eun-fi's body moved.
She moved cautiously, with a cat-like lightness and hesitation, slowly leaning her body towards Hawke.