Stephanie didn't care about Fury's grim look and kept smiling. "No need to go into details. The point is, Pierce and Garrett don't represent Hydra. You understand what I mean, don't you?"
"Miss Stephanie, even if you hold the upper hand, there's no reason to humiliate us like this."
Fury's expression grew darker. "Do you expect me to believe that just because you disagree, you're ready to abandon some of your own and then shake my hand? Do you think that sounds believable? Or do you just think I'm that easy to fool?"
Stephanie smiled faintly. "You're overthinking it, Director Fury. I'm not so bored that I'd come here just to play with you… I really did come in goodwill—whether you believe it or not."
"As for abandoning people, that's not the case. It's true Hydra once had different factions because of different beliefs."
"But that time is gone. Now Hydra has only one voice, and can only have one voice… my voice!"
In that instant, a commanding aura burst from her.
Everyone present felt an invisible pressure—Pierce included.
As she said it, she glanced sideways at Pierce.
Remembering her methods, Pierce felt his scalp tingle and lowered his head in fear.
Fury caught Pierce's reaction and realized Stephanie wasn't bluffing. She really had that authority!
When Fury didn't answer, Pierce knew it was his chance to step in and explained:
"Not long ago, Hydra was still led by several leaders, including Miss Stephanie's father, the former councilor, Gideon Malick…"
"But Miss Stephanie refused to see Hydra divided any longer. She acted quickly and united all factions under her hand. That means Miss Stephanie is now Hydra's only leader!"
"Her words carry the highest will of Hydra. So… Fury, as an old friend, I urge you—don't waste this rare chance. If you do, even I won't be able to save you."
"Old friend?" Fury sneered.
Ever since he learned Pierce was Hydra, just seeing him made Fury feel disgusted.
And now, hearing Pierce fawn over Stephanie with such boot-licking tone, he was even more repulsed.
There was no way he'd show Pierce a pleasant face.
But distaste aside, Pierce's words still made him tense inside.
Pierce hadn't spelled it out, but Fury could feel the weight behind them.
From what he said, Hydra had indeed been ruled by multiple leaders until recently—including Stephanie's father, Gideon Malick.
But now Stephanie had become Hydra's sole leader—the only voice of Hydra.
So what about the other leaders?
Did they all just step down willingly?
If it were only Gideon handing his position to his daughter, that could be explained. But were the other leaders really so selfless?
That line about "not wanting to see Hydra divided anymore" was the kind of story you told to children.
Behind it there must have been violent clashes. Who knew how many lives had been lost in the process?
Power struggles were always the cruelest.
For Stephanie to unite all factions and overthrow the old leaders, she couldn't have relied on belief or reason alone. Even in her beautified version of events, Fury could smell blood.
At that moment, his gaze toward Stephanie changed, carrying both caution and respect.
"Was Councilor Malick's sudden retirement tied to this?" Hill asked suddenly.
She had been keeping an eye on the World Security Council, so she knew very well about the recent change in the North American seat.
"My father is old. It was time for him to step down and rest." Stephanie answered lightly.
Then, after a pause, she went on, "I didn't come here to stir up trouble. I only think there's no need for us to fight to the death. Let the past stay in the past. I have no interest in overthrowing S.H.I.E.L.D."
"If you agree, Director Fury, there are many ways we could work together. I could even help you gain the Council's highest level of authority."
"That way, you wouldn't need to be as restricted as before. What do you say?"
"Miss Stephanie, your skills are impressive." Fury said in a low voice. "But even if everything you've said is true, how do I know you're not just stalling for time?"
"Hydra just went through upheaval. You couldn't have unified everything so quickly. If we fight now, I doubt you're confident you can completely crush S.H.I.E.L.D.—especially since you've already been exposed."
Clearly, Fury still didn't trust her.
The exposure of his "Hydra-Hunting Plan" was a heavy blow—it meant he could no longer maintain the advantage of being in the shadows.
From now on, it will be an open conflict.
But Hydra's spies, no matter how many, could at most control a third of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power.
Even if they had outside support, that force couldn't be used openly. Otherwise, the governments of the world wouldn't sit by and watch Hydra spread unchecked.
So Fury didn't believe his side was destined to lose—though winning wouldn't be easy.
And just as he said, he had a natural distrust of Stephanie's so-called goodwill.
Her "peace offering" could very well be nothing more than a delay tactic.
If his Hydra-Hunting Plan went forward as intended, even if Hydra already knew about it, it wouldn't change the outcome.
By then, Pierce and the others would still meet their end.
So Stephanie's sudden goodwill—who could guarantee it wasn't part of a deeper scheme?
The promises she painted sounded good—friendly cooperation, influence in the Council, more freedom for S.H.I.E.L.D.
But all of that depended on Stephanie actually keeping her word.
If she had only come here to stall for time, still intending to crush S.H.I.E.L.D., then her promises meant nothing.
Sooner or later, the two sides would have to fight.
If that was the case, perhaps striking now—before Hydra had fully unified—would be their best chance.
In the end, Fury simply couldn't believe Stephanie could abandon Hydra's history.
Pierce frowned, clearly displeased. "Fury, don't think too highly of yourself. The power Miss Stephanie controls is beyond your imagination. If she really wanted to crush S.H.I.E.L.D., she could do it any tim—"
"Enough, Pierce. We're not here to argue." Stephanie cut him off.
She glanced at Fury, and with a sigh realized things were unfolding just as someone at home had predicted.
No matter what she said, winning Fury's trust would be nearly impossible.
He's going to laugh at me again, that bastard…
Just the thought of that mocking smile made her grit her teeth in frustration.
But for now, she had no better option.
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a slim, custom-made phone.
Coulson and May instantly tensed, their hands going to their pistols as soon as she moved.
Stephanie only gave them a light smile and a shake of the head before dialing a number.
When the call connected, she said quietly into the phone, "You tell him yourself."
Then she handed the phone to Fury.
Fury frowned, puzzled about who she was calling at a moment like this.
He glanced at the screen—an unknown number, no name displayed.
Without overthinking, he lifted it to his ear. "This is Fury…"
When he heard the voice on the other end, even Fury's calm cracked for a moment.
But he said nothing specific, only murmured short replies, impossible for the others to guess who it was or what they discussed.
At last, he said, "All right, that's enough for now." He hung up and handed the phone back.
Stephanie tucked it into her bag again, then looked at him with a half-smile.
"Do you believe me now, Director Fury?"
"It still feels unreal," Fury admitted, his voice complicated. "But… for now, let's keep things as they are. Once I confirm further, we can talk about cooperation."
"Fine. Then I'll be going. No need to see me out." Stephanie rose and headed for the door.
Pierce followed immediately.
Only after they had gone did Coulson ask, "Director, what's going on? Who was that on the phone?"
"This is too important to say right now," Fury shook his head. "When the time is right, I'll tell you."
Coulson knew better than to press. As an agent, you never pushed for answers your superior wasn't ready to share.
He was the curious type, but May and Hill didn't even look like they had the urge to ask.
"I'll be stepping out. The plan is on hold for now. Don't worry too much—what Miss Stephanie said should be true." Fury said.
"But don't relax either. Until I return, keep eyes on our key suspects."
"Yes, sir!" Coulson and the others answered.
"Hill, you're coming with me." Fury added after a thought.
"Yes."
Hill's gaze was still a little unfocused. She hadn't yet recovered from what had just happened, still caught up in guilt.
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