"I really have no idea what those idiots were thinking! Dumb pigs! Wasting taxpayers' money!" The pretty girl, Natasha, vented her frustration. In that moment, she was no different from any ordinary American—ranting about the White House, the FBI, and more, just the usual everyday complaints.
Bella also felt quite wronged. She was just minding her own business, walking down the street when she was robbed of a toy car. Then, she got dragged into something even bigger. Was Black Widow cursed with some disaster-prone aura? Should she start keeping her distance?
Thinking of the toy car, she couldn't help but ask, "What was in that toy car, anyway?"
"A missile's main control circuit board. Do you know Stark Industries?"
"I think I've heard of it."
Natasha was hugging a pillow, sitting cross-legged at the head of the bed. From Bella's perspective, the girl's back had a surprisingly graceful curve.
Natasha turned to look at her, the brightness in her eyes almost flirtatious enough to charm both men and women. "Do you know about the new guided missile their company just developed?"
Why do you get so excited talking about missiles, pretty girl?
Through their conversations, Bella had confirmed Natasha's age—just one year younger than herself. A very youthful Black Widow.
Among her peers, Natasha was exceptionally knowledgeable—mechanical engineering, biomedicine, orbital mechanics, quantum physics—she could chat about anything.
She just loved new things and chasing thrills. That kind of nature couldn't be hidden, no matter what.
"I don't know much about missiles. Can you explain?"
"Sure!"
Natasha, like a somewhat offbeat military enthusiast, began sharing all the missile specs she knew.
In 2000, the internet wasn't that developed, and even if it was, high-end military data wouldn't be public. So, she could only speak in general terms.
Bella didn't understand missiles, but she understood people.
"I get what the FBI's thinking now. Those guys are something else."
The next day, her guess was confirmed. A department manager from Stark Industries verified the authenticity of the chip, and the FBI released an early report combining speculation with related facts.
Someone had stolen a missile control chip and hidden it inside a toy car. During baggage pickup, the wrong suitcase was taken—thus explaining Natasha's involvement. The sequence of events was clear.
But on Bella's side, the plane crash was far more complicated.
There were many theories about the cause, but the FBI's preliminary conclusion pointed to a missile attack. Why?
Well, wasn't there a group of people caught stealing missile tech? If they could steal a control board, why not a missile? Maybe one of their accomplices attacked the plane to cover their tracks after the board incident was exposed.
Thus, an official report was released—full of words like "maybe," "suspected," "possibly," and "allegedly."
In the end, it was confirmed that the four toy car thieves were prime suspects in the Flight 180 crash. Especially since one of them had escaped. With an unknown buyer behind them, a deeper investigation was sure to turn something up.
And that "something" was enough to satisfy all parties.
Stark Industries thought it beneficial that the government was providing people and resources to find the mastermind, and after brief hesitation, they agreed to the report.
As for compensation to victims and survivors? That was the airline's problem, not theirs.
After two days of investigation and compromise, everyone was more or less content. The incident now entered its second phase—and people like Bella could finally go home.
Many of the students on the flight were minors, so a guardian's presence was required to sign some documents.
Bella's biological mom had gone on vacation in California and had her phone off. So, they had to call her police chief dad in to sign.
What did her biological dad even look like? Bella suddenly realized—she had never actually met him. After all, she had only transmigrated five days ago!
She deliberately lingered in her room and waited until all the other students had reunited with their parents before stepping out.
Now, the only man left outside must be her dad, right? He was probably anxious by now, and when she finally showed up, he'd rush over to hug her—and then everything would be smooth sailing.
The plan was solid—except for one small hiccup.
"Hahaha, I have to say, Samantha, your town isn't too bad. Over in Fox Town, I'm the only sheriff," a middle-aged man with a toothbrush mustache was chatting with Natasha's mom.
Natasha's mom was also quite attractive and had a killer figure. At the moment, she was smiling brightly. "Pete's honestly a bit of a dummy. He wasn't much help. Bears outside of Fox Town? That's just unbelievable!"
The mustached man said proudly, "Not just bears—one of my old buddies is Native American. He says you can even see wolves in winter."
"Now that's interesting!"
"Yeah, last time we went into the woods…"
When Bella and Natasha came out, they saw the two officers deep in conversation. One casual remark would spark a shared laugh, and a quick aiming gesture would bring a knowing smile. If not for the surrounding grieving relatives of the crash victims, the two might've burst out laughing.
"That your dad?" Natasha tilted her head.
I'm not even sure if that's my dad! This is the first time I've seen him too! Bella recalled the man from the photos—he'd looked younger and gloomier back then, not like this mature middle-aged guy.
But close enough. And there weren't any other men around who looked similar.
She shrugged in response to Natasha's question. "Isn't it obvious?"
They both sighed in unison.
"Your dad's pretty handsome. Why did your parents get divorced? Irreconcilable differences?" Natasha asked.
Bella thought for a moment, recalling what she'd read in the diary of her body's original owner. "She thought he didn't enjoy life enough. My mom loved all the pleasures of the big city—parties, shopping, beaches. My dad, on the other hand, only liked fishing and hunting. They just had nothing in common."
Natasha touched her lips with her index finger. "Makes sense. Your dad and my mom have very similar interests."
Natasha and Bella had talked about their families before. Natasha's mom's first marriage was a disaster—though the man was handsome, he was a drunk, violent, and unemployed. After having Natasha, the two split quickly.
Her second husband was the current one—just an average office worker. He had a son from a previous marriage, and she brought Natasha. Together, they blended their families and eventually had a child together—Natasha's mischievous little brother. This kind of mixed, non-blood-related family was quite normal here.
(End of Chapter)