The destroyed buildings and the injured people…
Valeria observed everything carefully, taking note of every single detail.
"Perhaps my brother's death is actually for the best for these people. If he hadn't died, who knows what else he might have done next."
Valeria said this with a dry smile. Yet, when she spoke those words, her expression seemed more painful than crying.
"Your brother did make mistakes, but you shouldn't trouble yourself with this. He cared for you."
"No one is forcing you to take a stance. This matter has nothing to do with you."
Susan didn't quite know how to comfort Valeria in that moment.
They walked slowly.
Not far away, Chen Xi, who had left earlier, was giving instructions to the mutants on how to handle certain situations.
When he noticed them approaching, he paused and allowed the mutants around him to deal with things.
Then, his gaze settled on Susan and Valeria—specifically, on Valeria.
Valeria, however, didn't want to see Chen Xi at all.
Instinctively, she hid behind Susan, gently tugging at the hem of her clothes.
Chen Xi noticed the gesture, but he walked steadily toward them.
"I don't feel that I did anything wrong, so I won't apologize to you."
As soon as he approached, Chen Xi spoke directly to Valeria.
Valeria pressed her lips tightly together.
"Chen Xi, Valeria just lost someone incredibly important. What you're saying is really inappropriate."
"Inappropriate? Because of her brother Franklin, we counted the casualties—12 people dead, hundreds injured. Many buildings were destroyed, and these all require money to rebuild," Chen Xi said slowly and calmly.
His words were harsh, but he wasn't blaming Valeria. Each person is an individual.
Valeria didn't need to bear responsibility for her brother Franklin's actions, but he had to make it clear, in front of her, exactly what Franklin had done.
"Yes… I'm really sorry."
Valeria's mind went blank. She didn't know what to say, so she apologized to Chen Xi.
"You don't need to apologize. You did nothing wrong. I came here to clarify that I do not feel sorry for your brother's death."
Chen Xi finished what he had to say and turned to leave.
Valeria's face went pale. She could even feel her legs trembling as he spoke.
He… didn't feel sorry for her brother's death?
Her mind kept repeating those words.
Was her brother really meant to die?
She understood it logically, but when someone said it to her, she couldn't hold back and broke down crying.
Her sobs shook the surroundings. Everyone heard and saw her crying, but they only glanced at her briefly before looking away.
Those who didn't know her assumed she had lost a family member or suffered a loss in the battle. Her reaction wasn't unusual in that context.
Susan didn't know how to handle the situation.
Chen Xi, of all people, had to say it so clearly… causing a young girl to cry so painfully.
Even though Susan knew Chen Xi's words weren't wrong, she still felt a tinge of resentment. She had only just calmed Valeria, and now she was even more broken.
A week later.
Valeria continued to work at Stark Industries.
She had once been very cheerful, but recently, she buried herself in work, ignoring everything around her. This concerned Tony Stark and Hamm.
"I didn't expect Franklin's death to affect her this much. Honestly, I was surprised to learn that the one responsible for the disaster was her brother," Tony said slowly. He had even considered dismissing Valeria from Stark Industries, but never fully decided.
Firstly, Valeria was incredibly talented and brilliant.
Secondly, if even Chen Xi—the real culprit behind Franklin's demise—was allowed to continue his work, there was no reason to remove her.
"Do you know what she's researching?" Tony asked Hamm.
"Even I can't understand her calculations," Hamm admitted. "I used to think we were geniuses, but compared to Valeria, we're just ordinary."
Admitting someone else's brilliance is never easy, but even Tony Stark had to acknowledge Valeria's talent.
"No matter what she's working on, we'll know soon enough. For now, the most important thing is not to disturb her."
Tony tapped Hamm on the shoulder, signaling him to leave together.
Hamm's gaze lingered on Valeria, but he followed Tony after a short moment.
Two more weeks passed.
Valeria finally emerged from her lab.
Hamm and Tony immediately approached her.
Before they could speak, Valeria said:"I want to see Chen Xi. Regarding the research on the mechanical bugs, I have achieved results."
For some, such results might take a lifetime to achieve. Valeria had done it in just three weeks.
"You've truly understood the mechanical bugs and achieved results?"
Hamm's voice was a bit strained. They had faced the mechanical bugs personally and knew how formidable they were.
"Yes, I've achieved results," Valeria said confidently.
-----------------------
Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
Guys, I've uploaded some High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! Feel free to check it out-if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
patreon.com/SuperTL
Here are a few titles of recently uploaded fanfics:
" Accelerator in Marvel "
" Marvel: Glory of the Sun God (18+) "
" Marvel +18: My Travel Frog Steals Across the Multiverse! "
" DC Universe: Starting Off Controlling Batman "
" Marvel Starting from Gwen Spider-Man "
" Marvel: Invading the Multiverse, Wanda and Gwen Are Shocked "
" Just Arrived in Marvel, System Awakens Silver Superman "
" Marvel: I Took Over Iron Man's Team "
many more are available 47+
Your support means a lot-thanks in advance, legends!
patreon.com/SuperTL
(End of Chapter)