"You really didn't have to do this, Christine," Strange said as they ran, "Hijacking prisoners, hacking the system. Everything you have in this Universe is ruined. Your career, your status, the Illuminati will list you as the number one most wanted criminal."
"I'm done," Christine said indifferently. "I'm sick of working for these self-righteous guys. They can kill without any bottom line for so-called possibilities. I don't want to be their accomplice anymore."
She stopped in her tracks and turned back to look straight into Strange's eyes.
"Besides, I just accepted a ring. I can't possibly let my fiancé face Execution on the very first day of our engagement, can I?"
Looking at her, Strange couldn't help but lean forward and gently kiss her on the forehead.
"That's the most romantic reason I've ever heard."
"Cut the crap, let's go." Christine pushed him away with a blushing face.
The two finally reached the exit of the underground parking garage.
Christine's silver-gray hovering car was parked quietly in a dedicated parking space.
"Get in!" Christine opened the car door.
The two quickly slipped into the car.
Christine started the engine and plugged the controller into the vehicle's system.
"Switch to manual stealth mode, turn on autopilot, and set the destination to the emergency plan coordinates."
The hovering car let out a low roar, gliding out of the underground parking garage like a ghost and merging into the bustling aerial lanes above New York City.
The Illuminati building grew further and further behind them.
Neon lights flickered all over the city, and New York at night was still bustling with traffic. No one knew that a thrilling escape had just taken place in that solemn building.
Christine leaned back against the seat and let out a long sigh of relief.
Her hands were still trembling slightly. Only then did the lingering fear wash over her.
The hovering car flew steadily in autopilot mode.
The cabin was very quiet, with only the faint sound of the engine.
Strange turned his head and stared fixedly at Christine's profile.
He just looked at her like that without blinking, as if it was his first time knowing this woman.
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze, Christine turned her head to meet his eyes.
"What?" Christine raised an eyebrow. "Not the same as the Christine you used to know? Regretting it?"
"No," Strange shook his head and smiled gently. "I love you even more."
Hearing this, Christine flashed a proud and charming smile.
"You know what's good for you."
She smoothed the stray hair by her ear and began to recount her plan methodically.
"There are spare clothes and cash in the car. We'll go to the safehouse to change first, then burn this car and cut off all tracking signals."
"I still have a substantial deposit in my Swiss bank account, enough for us to buy a small farm in Europe or South America, far away from these Superheroes."
The more Christine talked, the more excited she became, her eyes sparkling with yearning for future life.
Strange listened quietly with a faint smile on the corners of his mouth.
As long as he was with her, it didn't matter where they went.
Just as the two were immersed in their wonderful vision for the future,
Boom!
A golden beam of magic descended from the sky, accurately striking the right engine of the hovering car.
The entire car body shook violently, and the flames illuminated the night sky.
"Warning! The left thruster is severely damaged. Power loss." The flying car issued an alarm.
Thick smoke rose inside the cabin.
The flying car lost its balance, began to spin in the air, and plummeted toward the buildings below.
"Hold on!" Christine roared, gripping the joystick tightly in an attempt to control the flying car's posture, but to no avail.
Strange quickly unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, and tightly shielded Christine beneath him with his own body.
The vehicle crashed through the roof of a warehouse, rolled dozens of times on the concrete ground, and finally crashed into a load-bearing pillar, coming to a stop.
Smoke filled the air, and flames flickered.
The cabin was severely deformed, and all the airbags deployed.
Strange pushed away the wreckage of the car door pressing on him, hugged Christine, and crawled out with difficulty, coughing incessantly from the dust.
"Christine!"
"Are you okay? Christine, look at me!" Strange patted her cheeks.
"I'm fine... just a little dizzy..." Christine's forehead was bleeding, and her consciousness was somewhat blurred.
Strange breathed a sigh of relief.
He helped Christine up and vigilantly looked around.
"What a touching escape drama."
Wearing a sorcerer's robe, Mordo walked slowly out from the dark with his hands tucked into his sleeves, looking coldly at the disheveled pair.
"Dr. Palmer, I thought you were a smart person. Yet for a sinful person, you betrayed the Illuminati, betrayed this Universe, and ruined your own life."
Mordo shook his head, looking regretful.
"Don't use the Universe as an excuse," Christine said, clutching her forehead and gritting her teeth. "You're just used to controlling everything. You don't allow any existence that isn't under your control."
"Order must be maintained." Mordo ignored her accusation and looked at Stephen. "And you, Stephen. No matter which Universe you're in, you only bring disaster to those around you. Look at Christine now—is this what you call love?"
"I'm warning you again, Mordo, don't target Christine..." Strange's gaze gradually turned icy. "I have no intention of making an enemy of you Illuminati."
"Heh, maybe... but it's useless, this is personal now," Mordo laughed playfully.
"The Illuminati gave you a chance to die with dignity. But you insisted on dragging her to hell with you. Now, both of you will be executed on the spot for the crime of endangering Universe security."
Strange looked at Mordo expressionlessly, his hands hanging naturally at his sides.
"Are you done talking, Mordo?"
"What? Struck a nerve?" Mordo sneered, his gaze sweeping over the anti-magic bracelet on Strange's wrist.
"Besides, what can you even accomplish nowadays? You're just an ordinary person with blocked magic circuits now. You can't even spark a single flame."
Mordo spread his hands with an arrogant posture. "Tell me, Stephen. Facing me, what else can you do?"
"Heh..." He let out a contemptuous laugh. "Come over and give me an elbow strike?"
"It's over."
Mordo lost interest in further mockery as magic energy condensed in his hand, turning into a Sword of Seraphim.
"Since you want to be together so much, I'll send you to hell together."
Looking at the approaching magic sword, Strange spoke in a tone so calm it was terrifying: "Your biggest weakness, Mordo, has always been your shortsightedness."
"But it seems you've forgotten one thing."
"What?" Mordo narrowed his eyes.
Strange lowered his head and raised his eyes, a slight chill curling the corners of his mouth.
"I am not the Stephen Strange of your Universe."
"In that Universe... magic has never been my only way of solving problems."
Having said that,
Clang!
Two Vibranium Mantis Blades exuding a deep blue cold light suddenly popped out from his forearms!
*******************************
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