In the softly glowing blue lights of the base, inside a clean and spacious government special envoy office, moans rose and fell like waves crashing on the shore.
Accompanying the sound were the creaks of office chair wheels constantly shifting, already sounding like they were struggling under the strain.
"Who equipped this office furniture? They must've skimmed off the budget, huh? A little force and it's already breaking—hasn't even been used for long. If this were one of my subordinates, I'd dock their bonus hard.
Still holding up, Kate? Maybe try grabbing the desk instead."
From this newly built office came steady, slightly heavy breathing.
Kate Mara's amber eyes shimmered with pleasure and rolled back slightly. "No need, Li~"
Ye Li chuckled softly, his hands gripping Kate Mara's smooth, firm skin. "Kate, have you been slacking on your physical training? Your endurance is way too poor."
Darling, it's not my fault—you're just too powerful. I can't handle it.
If this continues, I'm going to be completely ruined.
Unless... you give me some of that super soldier serum as a reward, maybe then I could handle a bit more.
How about it? Will you consider it?
Kate Mara turned her head, gazing at Ye Li with glimmering eyes.
"Alright, so you've got your eyes on the serum now, huh? I never said I wouldn't give it to you—why act so pitiful? It's just one serum. Compared to the high-level position I arranged for you, it's nothing." Ye Li laughed and gave her a playful bump.
Ordinarily, comparing a top-tier government role to super soldier serum might be hard to measure, but the position Ye Li had secured for Kate Mara was something else...
"So, you agree? Thank you, Li~ I'll do my absolute best in the position you arranged for me, and I'll help you however I can. No matter what you say, I'll listen! Your words are orders above even those from the White House!"
Kate Mara joyfully pledged her loyalty. She had been eyeing the rejuvenating effects of the serum for a long time, but since Ye Li never mentioned it, she held back. After serving him for so long, she only just dared to bring it up.
In truth, Kate had simply been too cautious. Ye Li never really cared about that—if she had asked earlier, he would've agreed, especially after how well she'd been serving him.
"Alright, alright, enough flattery. Just do your job properly. This position isn't one that can be earned through normal means."
Ye Li gave Kate a reminder.
If it weren't for the Club placing people across the government and silencing opposition, this position wouldn't have gone to his little girlfriend.
After all, Kate Mara had only been a low-level enforcement officer. Sure, she was already more capable than most, but she still didn't qualify as true upper-level leadership.
"Our nation's top intelligence agency… nearly led by a terrorist organization like Hydra."
An official from the Department of Homeland Security sat across from Nick Fury, Maria Hill, and other S.H.I.E.L.D. leaders, questioning them. "I think you owe us an explanation—how do we keep this country safe?"
"You still need us."
Nick Fury said in a deep voice, "The world is fragile. Yes, we're partly to blame. But we're also the best hope for protecting it."
"Oh? Is that so?"
The official replied skeptically, "I think the Ghost Spider Club did a better job. They're the reason Hydra was exposed. Otherwise, one of those monstrosities you built might've blown my head off in the name of 'world safety!'"
Nick Fury frowned. "The Club is a private, civilian organization. You trust a civilian outfit, Director?"
Maria Hill also stepped in, "And as far as I know, Chairman Ye has little interest in protecting the world. Fury's right—the world still needs us."
"Fine, maybe you're right."
Surprisingly, the official wasn't too hard to deal with—or perhaps, his goal from the start was never to fully dissolve S.H.I.E.L.D.
It was like haggling at a market—go slow and don't create too much shock.
"But we do need certain safety protocols."
The official's tone shifted. "To ensure your organization never repeats this disaster, we've unanimously decided to appoint a special inspector to oversee you—someone who will review all your operations for legality and compliance."
Nick Fury: !!!
Maria Hill: !!!
"Now then, let me take you to meet her."
Without waiting for their reaction, the official stood up and led them to an office decorated like a modern minimalist palace.
Clank———
The metal door slid open automatically.
In Nick Fury and the others' view was an office chair and…
———Ye Li standing beside it, resting one hand on the chair back.
"Chairman Ye!? Don't tell me you're the special envoy?"
Nick Fury exclaimed in disbelief, "No way. There's no way you'd be interested in that job!"
"You guessed right, Fury. I'm not the one taking the job—"
Ye Li spun the chair around———
Kate Mara crossed her legs with a faint smile, the chair turning to face them.
Her hands rested lightly on the armrests, legs elegantly overlapped in a queen-like pose, staring straight at the stunned S.H.I.E.L.D. leadership.
The Homeland Security official began the introduction, "Ms. Kate Mara has been appointed as the S.H.I.E.L.D. Inspector General. She has the highest level of clearance and full authority to access all intel. She may veto any directive or mission."
Simply put, Kate Mara couldn't issue direct orders to S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel—
But if she wanted to mess with Nick Fury, it would be way too easy…
Sure enough, Nick Fury's brow furrowed deeply. He wasn't concerned about Kate Mara's personal competence.
If someone random had been parachuted into S.H.I.E.L.D., he was confident he could sideline them quickly.
But Kate Mara's background? He already knew—her ties to Ye Li were extremely close, and behind her stood the colossal Club...
Even if Kate herself had no ability,
Just through her connection, the Club could gain complete access to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence network…
Nick Fury's single eye stared deeply at Ye Li. "Chairman Ye… you're quite the strategist…"
Not getting his hands dirty, yet reaping the benefits—this was classic Vice-Chairman Ye.
"Do your best, Fury."
Ye Li patted the baldy's shoulder as he walked past and left the room with flair———
On the way out, he slyly gave the gray-green-eyed beauty's perky butt a squeeze.
And whispered in her ear:
"You too. From now on, report directly to me every night, got it? You know Kate listens to me and Skye~"
Hill: "Eh~?"
How did things end up this way?
This was the so-called surprise!?