Following this, President Ellis returned to the White House and resumed power.
Undoubtedly, a storm would soon brew in America, and no one involved in this incident would have an easy time.
Of course, that had nothing to do with Andrew; he was calculating his gains from this venture: "Hundreds of thousands of souls, the Extremis, Carter's and Ivan's souls—not bad."
This time, the harvest was good; on one hand, Miami had a large population, nearly six million, and on the other hand, Miami was a 'new place,' where almost no one had signed a contract with Andrew.
In such circumstances, the harvest was naturally significant.
"It seems it's better for disasters to occur in cities other than New York," Andrew mused.
In fact, New York citizens thought the same; they noticed that although New York was as chaotic as ever, no major disaster had occurred for half a year.
Had New York finally turned its luck around?
Andrew, for his part, stated that disasters might be delayed, but they would not be absent; New York was a geomantically auspicious place, after all.
…
Maya Hansen sat in the quinjet, her eyes filled with confusion, unsure of what her fate would be or what she should do next.
"It's a good thing Killian's plot failed; otherwise, my sins would be even heavier," Maya Hansen sighed.
Then, she made a decision in her heart: she would never again research the Extremis in this lifetime.
"You don't need to worry; as soon as we confirm you weren't involved in Killian's affairs, we'll release you immediately," a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent said.
"In fact, Director Fury wants to invite you to join S.H.I.E.L.D. and continue perfecting the Extremis."
"No, I will not research the Extremis again, and I will not give you the virus formula; it's too dangerous."
Maya Hansen shook her head with extreme resolve; she absolutely could not let this incident repeat itself.
In Miami, at least several thousand people were killed or injured, and many streets were reduced to ruins, with incalculable economic losses; the entire City was plunged into sorrow.
This was thanks to the Peace Knights; without them, Miami would have been razed to the ground by two high-temperature giants.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agent frowned slightly; Nick Fury had sent him to get Maya Hansen to join S.H.I.E.L.D., but he hadn't expected her to be so resistant.
Just as the Agent was about to persuade Maya Hansen, her phone, which had been placed aside, rang—as a suspect, her phone had been confiscated.
Maya Hansen glanced at the number, found she didn't recognize it, and turned away, ignoring it.
At that moment, the phone was hacked and answered automatically.
"Hello, Dr. Hansen, I am Dr. Serizawa of the Monarch Organization.
I would like to invite you to participate in a project with our Monarch Organization."
A man's voice came through, and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent's expression changed; he walked over, intending to hang up the phone.
Dr. Serizawa continued, "Dr. Hansen, I will formally meet with you in a while.
Please rest assured, this project is very meaningful."
With that, the call ended, and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent turned to look at Maya Hansen, finding her expression calm.
Yes, her expression was calm, for a simple reason: Maya Hansen had no idea what the Monarch Organization was.
The Monarch Organization, like S.H.I.E.L.D., was an organization under the United Nations; its duty was simple—to track mysterious creatures to protect humanity.
Currently, Titan Beasts had not yet appeared to the public, so not many people knew about the Monarch Organization, but one day, they would become household names, because Titan Beasts would not remain dormant forever.
…
In Hell, Ivan, in a new mechanical body, walked towards his destination under the guidance of intelligent navigation.
Ivan's expression was somewhat dazed, for a simple reason: everything he saw upon entering Hell gave him a sense of unreality.
Was this really Hell? Not some alien planet?
"High-tech Hell, although the style is a bit bizarre, it suits me very well," Ivan thought to himself.
Soon, he arrived at a research institute filled with various battle suits.
He looked at those battle suits, his expression utterly shocked—those battle suits were far more advanced than his and Tony's.
Ivan had always thought highly of himself, believing his only enemy was Tony, but now he knew that he and Tony were not the strongest; the strongest battle suit creator was in Hell.
Compared to the battle suits before him, Ivan's and Tony's battle suits were like children's works.
Howard, standing above, looked at Ivan's shocked expression, feeling quite pleased; it was worth specially moving a pile of concept battle suits into the exhibition room.
Striking down young people was simply too much fun.
"Tony, after Ivan dies, you'll lose your opponent, which is not good.
To help you progress better, I've decided to take Ivan as my apprentice and teach him to make more advanced battle suits.
It won't be long before he gives you a big surprise."
Howard muttered to himself.
Striking down young people was fun, but striking down his own son was even more fun.
Howard couldn't wait to see Tony's bewildered expression.
Of course, this was also to help the son of an old friend.
Would it be like raising a tiger to cause trouble? Of course not; don't forget, there was still a great demon king above them.
"The first step of the plan is to subdue this prickly fellow," Howard thought to himself.
"That won't be easy; Ivan is full of thorns."
…
The next evening, a certain underground bar in New York.
Tony saw the eighteen-year-old Carter, his face filled with astonishment.
Why did this woman look so much like a young Aunt Carter?
Could she be Aunt Carter's granddaughter?
Just then, Steve stepped forward, hugged Carter, and kissed her.
Tony was dumbfounded.
Steve was actually involved with Aunt Carter's granddaughter?
"Captain, I was wrong," Tony quipped.
"You're not an old fossil; you're even more of a player than I am.
Impressive, impressive."
"Little Tony, I think you're asking for a beating," Carter said with a smile.
When Tony was a child, she had taught him, and Tony respected her greatly, at least more than he respected Steve.
"Little Tony?" Tony was speechless.
How many years had it been since anyone called him that?
"Tony, this is Carter, Peggy Carter.
I only love her in this life," Steve said.
Carter gave him a roll of her eyes; he only knew how to say sweet words.
Tony was a bit stunned: "She's Aunt Carter?
That's impossible!"
Carter smiled and said, "Nothing's impossible, Little Tony.
Do you want me to beat you up again to help you relive your childhood?"
Tony shivered, confirming from her tone that she was indeed Aunt Carter, that female demon.
Tony asked curiously, "Aunt Carter, what kind of cosmetics do you use?
Can you recommend them to me?
Pepper is angry with me, and I need to get something good to appease her."
"This isn't cosmetics; it's Steve's love for me."
Carter looked at Steve with happiness, and then the two kissed as if no one else was there.
Tony rolled his eyes fiercely.
Why did he have to witness this public display of affection, and from a ninety-year-old couple's expired dog food, no less?
After they finished kissing, Tony said grumpily, "Alright, let's talk business."
Carter's expression darkened upon hearing this.
She said, "I never thought HYDRA was still alive, and even S.H.I.E.L.D. has HYDRA within it."
"It's not just that there's HYDRA; S.H.I.E.L.D. might have been completely infiltrated by HYDRA," Tony said.
"Also, I suspect Nick Fury is HYDRA."
Carter said, "In fact, Steve and I have the same suspicion.
I've been investigating him for some time, and the more I investigate, the more problematic it becomes."
"The more problematic it becomes?"
"Yes, I investigated S.H.I.E.L.D.'s funds, and at least half of them are unaccounted for."
Carter nodded.
She said, "Only one person could do this silently, and that's the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury."
"More than half of the funds?
No wonder S.H.I.E.L.D. has always been so ineffective."
Even Tony was surprised.
He said, "Nick Fury might be the biggest embezzler in Earth's history."
"Furthermore, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s hierarchical system is very problematic; it's practically tailor-made for HYDRA," Carter continued.
"In short, Nick Fury is highly suspicious, and we must be vigilant against him, even treat him as an enemy."
Tony and Steve both nodded simultaneously: "Exactly."
Then, Carter said to Tony, "Tony, I know you really want to avenge your parents, but this matter is of great importance.
We must take it slowly and not act rashly."
"I know."
After so many incidents, Tony was no longer as impulsive as before.
He nodded and said, "Ivan told me about a HYDRA Agent named Whitehall, and I looked up his information earlier."
With that, Tony used his phone to project a photo of Whitehall, along with various pieces of information.
As soon as Carter saw Whitehall, she immediately exclaimed, "Reinhardt?
That's impossible! No, it's possible.
If I can regain my youth, he naturally can too."
Tony asked in surprise, "Reinhardt?
Aunt Carter, do you know him?"
"I know him.
He was a follower of Red Skull and was personally arrested by me during World War II.
I also obtained the first 084 item, the Obelisk, from him," Carter said.
"Twenty-something years ago, he died of illness in a S.H.I.E.L.D. prison.
Now it seems he faked his death to escape, which means there was HYDRA within S.H.I.E.L.D. more than twenty years ago, and their position wasn't low."
Steve said, "S.H.I.E.L.D. might be completely rotten."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. was created by me; if it truly is completely rotten, I will destroy it," Carter said decisively.
"Tony, give me Whitehall's information; I'll investigate him myself."
Tony nodded: "Okay."
"Tony, Steve, the Avengers are very important.
Observe the other Avengers carefully to determine if they are HYDRA.
If not, bring them into our ranks," Carter continued.
"I will also try my best to recruit trustworthy S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to investigate S.H.I.E.L.D. from within.
When the time is ripe, we will capture all of HYDRA in one fell swoop."
"Okay."
Tony and Steve both nodded, and the name Dr. Banner simultaneously popped into their minds.
He was probably not HYDRA, because HYDRA wouldn't be as miserable as him.
…
In a mysterious room, a group of holographic projections were holding a meeting.
One of them frantically shouted, "President Ellis found me!
What should I do?"
This person was the Deputy Director of the America Special Service, and he was the key reason President Ellis was kidnapped.
"Abandon everything and come to my country; I will protect you," a Middle Eastern man said.
The previous person repeatedly nodded in thanks: "Thank you, Your Highness; I'll leave immediately."
With that, the person's holographic projection disappeared.
President Ellis's people were coming soon, and he had to flee immediately.
One holographic projection said with a grim expression, "President Ellis and Tony Stark's offensive is growing fiercer, seemingly trying to completely crush us."
This group of people were the core of the Oil Interest Groups.
During this time, President Ellis, using the coup as an excuse, frantically attacked their forces, causing them significant losses.
What was worse, other forces also took the opportunity to attack them, wanting to bite off a piece of the pie.
"He's just putting on a show, wanting more benefits.
As long as the world still needs oil, no one can crush us, and no one dares to crush us, unless they want the world to descend into chaos," the Middle Eastern man said earlier.
"Since we've lost, we must admit it.
Find someone to negotiate with President Ellis; we are willing to pay the price."
Everyone exchanged glances, and one of them asked, "Your Highness, are you admitting defeat?
Once new energy rises, we can only wait for death."
Everyone nodded; new energy and the Oil Interest Groups were irreconcilable contradictions.
"Admit defeat first, then plan slowly," the Middle Eastern man said.
"New energy is just starting; we still have time, don't rush."
Seeing that the Middle Eastern man didn't intend to truly admit defeat, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
The person who spoke earlier nodded: "If it's just pretending to surrender, then I have no problem."
"We have no problem either."
Everyone nodded.
Although they would have to pay a considerable price, these people were already so rich that they had nothing left but money.
Just then, a holographic projection suddenly appeared before everyone.
Everyone's expressions changed slightly.
The Middle Eastern man looked at the other party and asked in surprise, "MacAllan?"
This holographic projection was none other than MacAllan, the chairman of the internationally renowned military corporation, McCullen Group.
The Middle Eastern man had hosted him in his palace before, so he recognized him.
MacAllan, who looked quite greasy, smiled and said, "It's me.
Forgive my uninvited appearance; I have a plan and would like to invite you all to participate."
The Middle Eastern man asked in a deep voice, "What plan, MacAllan?
You must give me a reasonable explanation for intruding on my meeting; otherwise, don't even think about me buying your company's products again."
"Intruding on your meeting was to show my strength," MacAllan said with a smile.
"As for what the plan is? It's simple: kidnap the President."
"…"
Everyone was a bit bewildered.
The Middle Eastern man asked in a deep voice, "MacAllan, are you here to mock me?"
The others were also a bit angry.
MacAllan said helplessly, "No, really.
Actually, I've been preparing this plan for a long time, and I didn't expect it to clash with yours."
Everyone was speechless.
The world was truly full of wonders; even kidnapping a President could clash.
Could you believe it?
Also, how unlucky was President Ellis, that so many people wanted to kidnap him?
The Middle Eastern man said, "MacAllan, President Ellis isn't stupid; trying to kidnap him again is almost impossible.
Besides, with the previous precedent, even if you succeed in kidnapping him, it won't be of much use."
"That's not necessarily true," MacAllan said with a smile.
"My plan is perfect; as long as you are willing to help me, not only America, but the entire world will be ours to command."
The Middle Eastern man snorted, "Who can't make grand promises, MacAllan?
If you want us to invest in you, you must tell us the plan in detail.
If it's truly feasible, we don't mind taking another gamble."
"Of course, but for safety's sake, I can only tell you alone," MacAllan said with a smile.
Then, the two had a private video call.
Half an hour later, they reappeared, and the Middle Eastern man excitedly said, "MacAllan's plan is feasible; I've decided to invest in him."
Everyone was somewhat astonished.
They discussed for a while and chose to trust the Middle Eastern man.
One of them thought of something and chuckled, "Our President Ellis is truly unlucky; he's about to be kidnapped a second time."
Everyone burst into laughter.
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