Chapter 34: Howard
Howard's mansion was brightly lit that night.
"You guys stay here. I'll go in by myself," Carter said to Mason, who was driving, straightening her bright red evening gown.
"Why don't I come in with you?"
Mason and Steve said in unison. Mason simply felt it would be safer for Carter to have backup. As for Steve, judging from his expression, he was probably more worried about the danger Carter might face meeting Howard alone.
Hmm... it seemed there was always a bit of risk when a beautiful woman was alone with Howard.
"I know Howard. He's very cautious, except when it comes to women. You going in will only complicate things. Trust me—I can definitely get him out." Carter checked her appearance one last time to make sure everything was perfect before getting out of the car.
"Mason, is there really no other way besides having Carter approach Howard?" Steve was clearly still somewhat resentful, though Mason could detect a hint of jealousy in his words.
Mason chuckled. "Right now, all we can do is trust her." Carter herself would do a better job than Mason could.
As night deepened, the flow of guests outside Howard's mansion remained constant.
Mason crouched low, carefully observing his surroundings. The party hadn't even started yet—even if Howard was as lecherous as they said, he probably wouldn't abandon all his guests and leave with Carter.
As the party drew closer, the number of arriving guests dwindled. Just then, a specially outfitted car pulled up in front of the mansion.
The door opened, and someone who shocked Mason stepped out—none other than
Captain Black Serpent Hodge himself!
A tall, blonde beauty emerged from the back seat. Mason vaguely recognized her—she was also a Strategic Scientific Reserve agent, primarily responsible for intelligence gathering.
"Why the hell is Hodge here?!" Mason was startled. "This is bad—I have to warn Carter immediately!"
Hodge's arrival didn't cause much of a stir. Although rumors had circulated, his true identity remained classified. Considering Howard's businessman nature, Mason understood Hodge's purpose.
Howard intended to leverage Hodge's fame to enhance Stark Industries' reputation, while Hodge desperately needed businessmen's support to gain access to high society. The two were a perfect match.
Hodge, adopting a gentlemanly demeanor, took his female companion's hand and walked into the mansion. Though unaware of the exact relationship between Hodge and Howard, Mason was determined not to let them meet at this crucial moment
—it would ruin the entire operation. "Steve, you drive. Go to the fallback point we set up behind the mansion and wait for Carter. I'll lure Hodge away!" Mason made a snap decision—there was no better option than using himself as bait.
"Wait, Mason, what are you doing?"
On the way here, Steve had already understood the situation and knew about Hodge's hatred toward Mason, so he naturally disapproved of this risky approach.
"If I don't draw him away, not only will Carter's operation fail, but she might even be in danger!" Mason spoke quickly, giving Steve no time to argue, before opening the car door and jumping out.
"I'll meet you at the rendezvous point! Make sure you bring Howard with you!" Mason instructed, stood up, and sprinted off.
With Carter's involvement, the operation had become much easier—at least in terms of planning and evacuation strategies, which gave Mason considerable confidence.
At that moment, Hodge had already presented his invitation and was walking into the mansion with his female companion. Just then, a car pulled up at the entrance, the door opened, and a middle-aged couple got out.
Mason quickly ran over, shoved the middle-aged man aside, rushed to the driver's seat, and immediately threw it into gear. The car spun around at the entrance, tires screeching.
Hodge heard the commotion and turned around, just in time to see Mason leaning out the window. He froze for a moment, then dark serpentine lines flashed across his face. He shoved his female companion aside and charged forward.
He ran like a predator—a cheetah, a tiger unleashed—and in several bounds, his speed reached a terrifying level. The distance from the mansion gate to the main hall was only a few dozen meters, a distance Hodge could cover in seconds.
"Professor, didn't you say this guy's physical abilities would decline over time?" Mason muttered helplessly, slamming on the gas pedal. The car roared and shot forward!
At that moment, Hodge had already reached the mansion gate. Seeing the car ahead about to merge onto the main road, Hodge lunged forward. Mason, who'd been watching Hodge's movements through the rearview mirror, jerked the steering wheel, slightly swerving the car, and simultaneously extended his hand, firing wildly at Hodge without bothering to aim.
Seeing Mason draw his gun, Hodge didn't dare continue the pursuit. He rolled on the ground to dissipate momentum, then leaped behind a parked car for cover.
When he looked up again, Mason's car had already disappeared down the street, taillights flashing as it sped away.
"Mason, you can't escape!" Hodge stood up, teeth gritted, the dark serpentine lines on his face becoming even more pronounced, his rage almost palpable!
"Hodge, what happened?" The blonde beauty, thinking Hodge was playing hero, ran to his side and asked urgently.
"Get out of my way!"
Hodge's mind was now entirely focused on Mason. He shoved the blonde beauty aside, jumped into a car, and gave chase!
He drove recklessly, completely disregarding other vehicles and pedestrians, frantically following the direction Mason had fled.
The commotion at the entrance naturally attracted the guests' attention.
On the third-floor balcony, Carter and Howard, holding wine glasses, watched the chaos at the mansion entrance.
"Wow, what's gotten into Hodge? The way he's tearing around, he looks like a maniac..."
"Sorry, I shouldn't use such crude language in front of a lady." Carter had taken a sip of wine, her cheeks slightly flushed, looking particularly alluring in the dim light.
Howard casually placed his hand on her shoulder. As for the party downstairs? With such a beauty before him, who cared?
Carter naturally saw that it was Mason who'd led Hodge away. She'd originally planned to get Howard drunk and then escort him out of the mansion, but now, due to the urgency, she had to change tactics.
Carter leaned into Howard's embrace, and Howard's face lit up with anticipation. He'd been pursuing this beautiful female agent for a while without success, and his heart was racing. But just then, he suddenly felt a sharp pain at the base of his neck, his vision went black, and he collapsed.
Howard's body went limp, slumping against Carter. Supporting the large man, Carter remained composed. She kicked off her high heels and stood barefoot on the floor, considering what to do with Howard, when she heard a noise outside the door, followed by the half-closed door being pushed open.
"Mr. Stark, it's time for the party. The guests below have been waiting quite a while. Perhaps you could..."
Carter's expression suddenly changed. She recognized that voice—it was Jarvis, Howard Stark's loyal butler!