On the other side.
Back at his villa, Tony Stark sat waiting for four hours while his latest armor was completed.
At this moment, Tony was sitting on the sofa, installing the armor components on his right hand while watching the news broadcast in front of him.
On the news, Tony saw a war correspondent reporting on the devastation of Migula.
Countless people were displaced, and the place was called the Road to Hell.
Tony tightened the screws on the armor of his right arm as his expression remained cold, his eyes fixed on the broadcast.
"The culprit behind the recent wave of violence is a group of foreign militants, known locally as the Ten Rings!"
As the name "Ten Rings" was spoken and footage showed Zala on the screen…
Tony instantly recalled the endless days of darkness in that cave, the humiliating time he endured.
Looking at the figure on the screen, he murmured:"So when Smith came last time, you weren't even there. Lucky you… you got away."
"This time, let's see if you're still that lucky…"
This was Ethan's hometown. Ethan better not have gotten hurt.
"Ethan…"
Tony couldn't help but worry about the doctor who had once helped him. Back then, he'd even considered hiring Ethan as his private physician and keeping him in New York, but Ethan had firmly insisted on returning to his hometown of Migula, saying his family was there.
Tony clenched his fist, tightened the last screw, and stood up."This time, I'll settle the score myself."
On the other side, at the Assassins Brotherhood headquarters, Smith Doyle sat with Fox in his office.
Fox handed over a tablet, saying:"Boss, this is the information we just received. That woman Natasha Romanoff—the one you met at the demolition site—has already made contact with S.H.I.E.L.D. and secretly sent intelligence back to them."
Smith raised his brow slightly, flipping through the tablet."She's really a double agent… as expected of Black Widow."
Fox asked, curious:"Boss, should I deal with her?"
Smith shook his head with a faint smile."No need. She's playing both sides, but right now she still has value to us. Besides… if we handle her right, maybe she'll willingly switch sides completely."
Fox nodded:"Understood."
Smith tapped the table lightly."She probably still thinks she's the one manipulating the situation. What she doesn't realize is that she's already been dancing on our strings for a while now."
Fox looked at Smith with admiration, smiling."Boss, what's the next step?"
Smith leaned back in his chair and said lightly:"Keep her close. Keep feeding her some 'truthful' information mixed with bait. I want to see if she can keep up with the game… and whether she dares to bite."
Fox smiled faintly and replied:"Yes, boss."
On the other side, Natasha Romanoff returned to her apartment in New York, changed out of her professional suit, and sat on the sofa.
On her table lay the hidden communicator she'd used to send information to S.H.I.E.L.D. earlier.
She stared at it for a while, her eyes flickering, and whispered:"Smith Doyle… just what kind of man are you? Why do I… feel so unsettled every time I see you?"
She couldn't tell if she was playing him, or if he was playing her.
But one thing was certain—when she stood in front of him, she could feel a faint chill running down her spine, as if she were standing in front of a beast disguised as a gentleman.
Natasha closed her eyes and sighed softly."This game… I'll keep playing it for now. But Smith Doyle… you better not disappoint me."
(End of Chapter)
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