"Tony, welcome!"
Fury instantly knew what was going on. It was obvious that Tony had just been in Tao Wen's office, signing the contract. Tao Wen had actually done it!
He was shocked!
"Director Fury, I've heard your name for a long time."
Tony walked into the office with a smile, giving Fury a big hug. Then, his gaze fell on Tao Wen: "Tao, I have something I need to take care of, just wanted to say hello."
"Director, which office is Tony in?"
Tao Wen immediately asked Fury.
"Office 210, next to yours."
Fury handed Tony the key.
"Goodbye."
Tony waved to Tao Wen and Fury, while glancing at Natasha. He'd definitely taken notice of the beautiful Natasha.
"Goodbye."
Fury and Tao Wen waved back.
Natasha smiled, but her beautiful eyes were filled with disbelief. She couldn't figure out, even if she racked her brains, how Tao Wen had managed to get Tony on board.
In her mind, Tao Wen was just a complete slacker, a good-for-nothing bum. And Tony Stark was notoriously arrogant. They were never supposed to get along.
She never expected Tao Wen to complete the mission before her!
"A step ahead?"
Tao Wen's lips curled into a victorious smile, his gaze brimming with even more playful mockery, landing on Natasha's gorgeous face.
Natasha glared, but didn't say another word. This time, she had truly lost, and lost badly. Remembering her earlier words felt like a slap in the face, leaving her cheeks burning.
"Come, let's toast to recruiting Tony into S.H.I.E.L.D.," Fury said, breaking the silence as he approached with two cups of coffee.
"Cheers."
Tao Wen was in high spirits, raising his coffee and taking a sip. The coffee was good, with a bitter taste that had a unique flavor.
"Cheers."
Natasha also raised her coffee, though her expression was a little unnatural. Before this, she'd been very vocal, but now her arrogance had been dampened, leaving her feeling resentful.
A strong sense of defeat welled up, but it didn't dampen her spirits. Instead, it ignited her fighting spirit, making her determined to find a way to get the upper hand over Tao Wen.
"Tao Wen, if you need anything else, just tell me. S.H.I.E.L.D. will provide it."
Fury said loudly, in high spirits.
Now, in his mind, Tao Wen's importance had risen to Natasha's level, maybe even beyond. Everything he needed must be arranged perfectly.
"I need a secretary, just like her. For work, and also, you know…"
Tao Wen pointed at Natasha, smilingly, which earned him a glare from her. He then said with a grin, "Just kidding. Actually, I need a phone and some cash."
"That's easy. I'll have someone deliver them to your office."
Fury said with a chuckle. S.H.I.E.L.D. was financially strong; any problem that money could solve was not a problem. He immediately made a phone call and sent someone to deliver the items.
"Oh, and these dried fruits, give me some too."
Tao Wen thought for a moment and then said.
Fury gave an OK gesture.
"To reward you for completing the mission ahead of schedule, S.H.I.E.L.D. has decided to promote you from Agent One to Agent Five."
Fury continued, and at the same time took out a special badge for Level Five from the desk.
"Thank you."
Tao Wen put the badge on his chest and deliberately glanced at Natasha, immediately attracting a wave of Natasha's hatred. Watching Natasha's gnashing teeth, Tao Wen was overjoyed. At that moment, all of Natasha's previous actions toward him also vanished, and there was no more resentment.
"I'll go now."
Tao Wen said to Fury. He was a little impatient for the new phone, wanting to study it carefully, and then take the cash to have a big meal.
"Alright."
Fury nodded.
Ring, ring!
Just as Tao Wen was about to leave, a unique alarm sounded beside Fury.
"What's that sound?"
Tao Wen looked curiously at the source of the sound. It was a unique device, flashing a faint red light.
"Yes? Okay, I'll send someone over right away."
Fury's expression changed. He quickly picked up the device and started talking.
Seeing Fury's expression, Tao Wen and Natasha could both sense the seriousness of the situation and didn't interrupt.
"Gentlemen, there's a major battle happening at the intersection of 121st Street and Brain Mall. We need to help quell the chaos," Fury announced loudly, putting down his communication device.
"Director, I'm ready to go!" Tao Wen responded immediately, instantly understanding what was happening.
In the Incredible Hulk storyline, Abomination, in his Blonsky form, and Dr. Banner as the Hulk fought at Brain Mall. This was a golden opportunity to farm fragments, which he wouldn't miss.
Both Hulk and Abomination were perfect for farming fragments!
"I'm going too!" Natasha declared, her beautiful eyes flashing repeatedly. This time, she wouldn't lose to Tao Wen. She wanted to get her own back and show him that she was the strongest.
"Alright, I'll send a helicopter to take you there immediately."
Fury said in a loud voice.
"Yes."
Tao Wen and Natasha spoke in unison and walked out of the office, heading towards their respective offices to prepare.
"They really are flush with cash."
As soon as Tao Wen returned to his office, he saw a brand new high-end phone. He picked it up and put it in his pocket. There was also a stack of banknotes and a bank card on the desk.
Tao Wen put the banknotes and bank card in his desk and walked out of the office, heading downstairs.
"As expected of a highly trained, peak-level agent, that's fast changing."
When he arrived downstairs, Natasha had already put on her combat suit. Her heroic appearance made Tao Wen's gaze unable to move away, and he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Da da da.
A helicopter descended from above, landing not far from them. The strong wind whipped up Natasha's golden hair, stirring her unique aura. With a leap, she boarded the helicopter, her graceful figure captivating Tao Wen.
"What are you staring at? Get on!"
Natasha glanced at Tao Wen with a displeased look.
"Yes, Widow."
Tao Wen followed suit, leaping upward. With the Vampire Scepter's enhancement, his strength had significantly increased. Although he couldn't move as gracefully as Natasha, he still landed steadily in the helicopter.
"I told you not to call me Widow!"
Natasha's beautiful eyes blazed with anger, and she said coldly.
"Alright, Widow."
Tao Wen grinned.
"I..."
Natasha's anger flared up, wanting to lash out. But thinking of Tao Wen's unique ability, she could only suppress her rage, feeling frustrated instead.
"Smells good."
In the cramped helicopter, facing each other, Tao Wen had ample opportunity to gaze at Natasha. The unique scent of her perfume filled the cabin, and Tao Wen couldn't help but mutter.
"Shut up."
Natasha retorted coldly.
"You know, I just love how you can't stand me, but you can't do anything about it," Tao Wen said, grinning at Natasha.
This caused Natasha's beautiful eyes to fill with barely contained fury. She turned her head, looking towards the bustling city below, her mind already calculating. She would use the success of this mission to silence Tao Wen forever.
The helicopter quickly arrived at the scene. From a distance, they could see a massive monster wreaking havoc on the streets. The sounds of car horns, screams, and explosions mixed into waves of sound, spreading in all directions.