"Everything? Are the sewers and similar access points also blocked? Or has anyone bypassed security today?"
"I have kept the system running, and there is no record of any breaches. However, the sewers... should not be considered an entrance?" Jarvis hesitated.
Even the AI seemed confused. Who in their right mind would crawl into a house through the sewers?
Yet, looking at a soaked Natasha under Tony's bed, it was clear she had done exactly that.
"I guess Tony will be able to smell the fragrance left by the beautiful lady when he goes to sleep tonight," Leon muttered, smirking.
Then, thinking of the sewer stench, he laughed out loud.
That would be Tony's problem, not his.
Leon had no intention of leaving Natasha under the bed.
Whatever she was up to, it clearly wasn't anything good if she had to sneak in like this.
"Jarvis, confirm: A woman infiltrated Mr. Stark's bedroom?"
"Yes, and she is currently lying under the bed with her eyes closed."
Leon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Let's see what this elite agent is planning. Jarvis, cooperate with me."
"Of course, Master Leon."
Leon put on an earpiece, walked toward Tony's room, and pushed the door open. As he entered, he deliberately made his footsteps loud.
"Jarvis, are you sure a strong abnormal odor was detected in Tony's room? That doesn't make sense. He hasn't brought any women home recently. How could there be a strange smell here?"
"Yes, sir. The air filtration system detected an abnormal odor signature."
"Impossible, unless Tony... took care of things himself. Otherwise, where is this smell coming from?"
He paused, then dramatically sniffed the air. "Sniff, sniff... ugh!!"
Leon staggered back, clutching the doorframe, gagging.
This wasn't an act—his enhanced sense of smell had just picked up a strong, rancid stench.
The moment he had deliberately taken a deep breath, searching for any odd scents, the overpowering odor had hit him like a brick wall.
"What the hell is that smell!? It's like a dried salted fish that was left in a garbage bin to rot, then marinated in pickle brine for three days!"
Leon gritted his teeth and forcibly suppressed his superhuman olfactory sensitivity.
"Master Leon," Jarvis's voice came through his earpiece, "your acting is quite convincing. If the air system hadn't detected nothing unusual, I might have been fooled."
"No... I really do smell something. The intruder likely used chemical agents to mask their scent, but they can't hide it from my nose." Leon rubbed his temple and whispered, "Just keep playing along."
He covered his nose and walked toward the bed. "The smell is really strong. What on earth has Tony been doing? Jarvis, you said the source of the smell is under the bed?"
"Correct. The odor's highest concentration is beneath the bed. Would you like me to deploy the robotic cleaner?"
"No need."
Leon knelt on one knee and reached under the bed. "I suspect Tony has a life-sized doll under here. If we throw it out, he'll be pissed. I'll just wash it—can't believe he tolerates something this foul."
He extended his right hand under the bed, pretending to grab something.
Then, suddenly—
Whoosh!
A pitch-black whip shot out from the shadows, coiling tightly around Leon's arm three times, like a python ensnaring its prey.
A slight but noticeable force tugged at him.
Leon frowned.
Natasha had just exerted enough strength to break the bones of an ordinary person.
So ruthless... she was definitely not just here to spy.
Could SHIELD really be moving against Tony?
Leon quickly assessed the situation. For now, he needed to continue his act.
Feigning surprise, he let out a startled cry and allowed himself to be yanked forward.
"Ah!"
He fell backward onto the floor.
The next moment, Natasha shot out from under the bed like a viper striking its prey.
Or rather, slipped out.
She kicked off the bedpost, using the force to propel herself forward, her legs wrapping tightly around Leon's waist.
Then, pushing off the ground with her hands and using her core strength, she flipped him into the air and slammed him down!
Bang!
Leon crashed against the floor with a heavy thud. He grunted, then realized his head had hit the ground first.
He shut his eyes and pretended to be knocked out.
"Hah..." Natasha exhaled, flipping Leon onto his back and examining him briefly.
Her years of training told her she had knocked him out cleanly.
"Nice chest muscles," she muttered, patting his torso. "Impressive."
Jarvis's voice rang out. "Ma'am, you are currently violating Stark Industries' private property and endangering a citizen. Please vacate the premises immediately, or I will alert law enforcement."
"Oh, really?" Natasha smirked, pulling out a black tactical backpack and retrieving a rope and a firearm.
She waved the gun toward a nearby security camera. "If you call the police, your master might get hurt."
Without waiting for a response, she fired a few shots, disabling several surveillance devices.
She then methodically tied Leon up, ensuring he was secured. After verifying his vitals—confirming that he was unconscious but unharmed—she removed his earpiece and crushed it.
Then, pressing her fingers to the communicator in her ear, she made her report.
"General Dreykov, this is Natasha."
She waited a moment before continuing.
"There's been an unexpected development. The target's younger brother, Leon Stark, discovered me using the home AI system."
"Requesting a mission adjustment. Instead of kidnapping Tony Stark, we will use Leon Stark to leverage him into compliance for energy and armor technology."
A few seconds passed before a flat male voice responded. "Approved. Proceed with the new plan."
"Understood."
Natasha removed her earpiece and prepared to enact the revised strategy.
But when she turned back—
Leon, who was supposed to be unconscious, was staring at her.
His expression was amused. "So, you're not working for SHIELD?"
Natasha froze.
Leon smirked. "Now this is getting interesting."
…
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